CrossRiver Media recently accepted a second book (working title Where Destiny Awaits) from author Catherine Ulrich Brakefield. She and I connected last month at the Omaha Wordsowers writers conference, at which time she handed me a half-inch thick folder of research documents—complete with an official map of Tennessee, where her story takes place.
I could have hugged her. (Maybe only an editor can feel that way about research.)
I’m a big fan of historical fiction. And yes, I admit, history is my favorite category in Trivial Pursuit. Even my history professor said I should consider a minor in history, if not a major (hint: those history tests are easy when you’ve lived through the events).
But sometimes my love of history can get in the way of enjoying a good book.
Why?
Because I find an error in fact. And that one error causes me to question the authenticity of the rest of the book.
I’m not alone. A workshop speaker at a conference I attended, stated an error in a fiction book he was reading made him quit reading.
Readers put a book down for a multitude of reasons.
Don’t let sloppy research—or none at all—be the reason readers stop reading your book. (tweet this)
Case for Research
Catherine Ulrich Brakefield’s new story time line begins in the Antebellum Era, marches through the war, and ends post-Civil War, May 1865, during the restoration and rebuilding of the war-torn South.
Her research to me included a document listing the major battles, complete with dates, commanders, location, casualties, and name of the battle—sometimes different for the North than for the South. It also included source documents for songs of the era she quotes, a time line of dates about Abraham Lincoln, and several pages about Maryville, Tennessee, a major setting in her story.
How does research affect me, the editor?
- Catherine has saved me hours of searching as I verify her facts.
- The documents give me a fast reference check of her quotes, facts, and accuracy of her story time line.
- I can hardly wait to read all this history—yes, only a history buff would say that.
How does research affect the author?
- If acquisition editors spot factual errors in an author’s proposal or manuscript, you can be sure they’ll be hesitant to look further. How many other errors will the author have made?
- Time doing research can be extensive, especially if you write historical fiction.
- You won’t use every bit of research, but all that information helps you create a seamless story that keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages.
How does this affect the reader?
- You never know what readers know. An error can jolt them from the story and may cause them to put your book aside.
- Like I said above, a seamless story keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages.
Other items to research
- Are you using slang, colloquialisms, or idioms? Make sure they existed in the year of your story.
- Is the setting for your story in a city, region, or country you’ve never been to? Then do the research to accurately describe this setting.
- With more and more authors using brand name products in their stories, even that is something you’d better research. If your story takes place in 1970 and a character is headed to Starbucks for coffee, good luck finding it. Starbucks was founded in 1971.
- Fashion, furniture, and architecture. Make sure you’re accurate about these items as you describe them in your story.
- Vocation. If your main character is a gardener, and you know squat about gardening, then you’d better visit your local nursery as you begin your research.
- Diseases, illnesses, and treatments. Unless you’re a doctor or nurse, you’ll want to research this if it’s in your story.
Wilted Dandelions, Catherine Ulrich Brakefield’s first book with CrossRiver, is a historical fiction, won the Christian Small Publishers Association 2016 Book of the Year Award, and has been short listed for the Eric Hoffer Book Award 2016 Grand Prize.
Along with history books, Catherine’s research for Wilted Dandelions included a road trip that began in St. Louis and followed as closely as possible the trail her main characters, missionaries Rachael and Jonathan, traveled as they journeyed to the Oregon Territory in 1837. Kudos, Catherine, on your awards, and thanks for all that marvelous research!
As a freelance editor, I always ask my clients about their research. I never assume they’ve done it. And if I find something questionable, I flag it and let the author know.
As the editor for CrossRiver, I do verify facts and quotes. I can’t speak to whether other publishing houses do or not.
So whether you write historical or contemporary fiction, make sure you get the details right. It makes a major difference in the quality of the story you produce.
What else have you researched for your novel? Leave your comments below.
For research resources and search engine sites, read 16+ Free Online Resources for Doing Research for Your Novel
As Catherine’s husband, I have discovered that no one has the patience to dig and keep digging until facts surface, as she has. Catherine sits down and meets with local historians, that guide her to which research materials she would look for.
This means hours – YES HOURS at local libraries, reading those old “white glove required” historical documents just to confirm facts for her books.
We drive for miles off the beaten path just to see that old grass and mud hut or that rock formation called Independence Rock just to check out old historical names and dates engraved on its face. We would drive the old two track road over the mountains just to feel what her characters would feel.
Yes, sometimes research can also be fun….especially for the driver.
Ed, having a spouse who understands and supports a writer’s quirks and needs is very important. You are an asset to Catherine and I know she appreciates all you do. I’m glad you have fun with it, too.
Amen to that, Debra. Ed has helped me greatly in my research. Our scavenger hunt for finding clues about an era and authentic historical facts has led us down some interesting byways together.
Well-done, Catherine! This is helpful advice. I do hate being jerked out of the story by a detail that is clearly out of place for the time period. Thank you.
So true. That is when a good editor comes front and center. I love to tell “all I learned”. Debra helps me to weed out what I need to tell that is significant and to move my story along to my happy-ever-after ending!