Research Shmesearch

November 15, 2012 Michelle Griep

When I first started writing fiction, I totally didn't think about accuracy. I mean, come on, it's fiction for crying out loud! Aren't things supposed to be made up? Isn't that what fiction implies?

I suppose ignoring fact works for fantasy, but for historical fiction, you'll be crucified if you use an English gold sovereign in 1807 because they weren't actually minted until ten years later. Some of you may be asking "Seriously? Who cares?"

Answer: historical readers, that's who.

There's just no getting around it. Research is key, whether you pen contemporary or way-back-when tales. Why? Because it's jolting to a reader when they come across something they know for a fact and see it misrepresented.

So writers, do your homework. Don't let it cripple you, though. You can't be 100% perfect down to the last detail. I'm just saying try to stay as true to the period you write in as possible.