the craft. the research.
West Hollywood Library
At times, it can seem like the importance of research in writing is relegated to history. Like if you’re writing about the past, you need to research the time period and make sure you’re not using 21st century slang in the 1800s. But because of my journalism background, I understand how important it is to know who and what you’re writing about before and during the work of constructing the words on the page.
If you’re curious, like most writers, you can end up down a rabbit hole when it comes to research. I enjoy it. When I was writing more features and conducting interviews, I liked to read other interviews from the subject so I could avoid asking cookie cutter questions. I dug into their archives to maybe bring to mind things they had long forgotten in the beginning of their career. As so much of the media has moved to more novice content creators, at times, the very important step of research gets thrown out the window.
Listen, I’m guilty of consuming some of that media too where they are just getting things wrong with no remorse even though they have huge platforms with thousands of people listening to them. But there is something about the professor I had in college who threatened to fail us for getting a name wrong in an assignment that led me to wanting to get it right. Not just in my journalism endeavors but also in fiction.
We don’t always think about fiction in the same way because it’s make believe. Which is true and not true. Whether you’re writing historical or contemporary fiction, there are things you have to get right. Unless you have established a completely fictional world or place, which is a thing, you have to make sure that your characters (if they’re real people), your sense of place, is all in alignment.
Believe me, I had many calls with my good friend who lives in Brooklyn to make sure that I was getting Crown Heights right in Good Morning, Love. I remembered a good amount from memory, but you have to know things like Crown Heights is not like a quick ride from Manhattan. There was this one time I had to run to catch my bus back to Philly. Made it by the skin of my teeth, but I digress. Guess who else is making sure you’re getting things right in your writing? Your copyeditors. Sometimes it’s simple things like making sure a song reference makes sense based on the year your book is taking place, and other things have larger implications and your publisher doesn’t want to piss anyone off with inaccurate depictions.
One of the greatest compliments I received was someone asking if I lived in New York before because they felt I captured the city well. And that’s what you want as a writer. Sure there is all this stuff that you’re making up, but when you are rooting these fictional characters in real places, it should feel right. I cannot tell you how much I cringe when people get things about Philly wrong. Namely the pronunciation and frequency with which they think we say “jawn.”
There are many ways to conduct research in your writing. From archives at the library which we don’t utilize enough. To interviews, to literally traveling to a place if it's within your means to do. I had the opportunity to go back to New Orleans this summer and it was great just to feel the energy there. My character in one of my works in progress is originally from New Orleans. Being there made me feel so much closer to him. It helped deepen my understanding of who he is as a person and also as a musician. New Orleans is such a charming place.
Recently, I’ve been watching a lot of old videos with some great soul singers from the early 2000s for that same work in progress. And it’s so exciting to get lost a bit in the process of writing that happens off the page. To get to observe people, hear how they see the world, then find ways to season my own story with some of those real characteristics. That’s what helps make your characters three dimensional. When that happens, your readers are endeared to those characters forever. They’re familiar, they remind them of someone in their very real life and it could communicate something important to them, create empathy and understanding. I remember reading Terry McMillan in that way. Her characters always reminded me of my aunties.
Storytelling is a trip in that way. You know sometimes we just think we’re writing these words, but our work is impactful. It’s art. It’s history. It helps many people communicate feelings they can’t articulate themselves. It’s important we remember that it’s a gift in that way and put in the dedication to doing it well which includes a certain level of research depending on the project.
If you’re interested in how to deepen your research to help with your writing process, be sure to check out the PTW Masterclass archive where Gabrielle Hickmon led a class on Using Research in Your Writing.
Writing/Job Opportunities
Tin House is accepting applications for their “First Book” residency. They accept applications in the following genres: Fiction (novel/short), Nonfiction, Poetry, and Graphic Novel, as well as the translation of any of those genres. Your book can be under contract. (Nov. 1)
Blavity, Inc is hiring a Weekend/Evening News Editor.
Cave Canem is accepting submissions for their poetry fellowship. (Nov. 10)
The Paris Review is hiring interns. The application deadline for their Spring–Summer internship is November 15. Pay is $20/hour, 35 hours a week, with the option to enroll in health insurance.
To Be Read
In Jesmyn Ward’s New Novel, Slavery Is Hell and Dante Is Our Guide