7 Tips for Using Hands-On Research to Enrich Your Writing

“7 Tips for Using Hands-On Research to Enrich Your Writing” by Chuck Sambuchino. 13th January, 2016. Writer’s Digest.

“They say, “Write what you know,” which is why my next book is about killing monsters in 1800s Texas. Not that I’ve ever killed anything bigger than a wolf spider, but I know what it’s like to spend a long, painful day in the saddle. When you’re writing about a new world, your readers will have an easier time making the jump from reality to fantasy if you can use telling details to win their trust. And that means that you should travel to new places and seek experiences and local culture that will enrich your writing. The key? Using all your senses.

1. See the place
2. Taste the food
3. Feel the experience
4. Feel the discomfort
5. Listen to crowds, listen to the silence
6. Smell the air
7. Learn the lingo