The Book that Needs to get Written

In this post, Justine Musk so perfectly talks about why we need to write we want to know. I'm so glad that she discusses this, because I've also been plagued my entire writing life with the feeling that I didn't know enough to be able to write what I know.

Writing what I want to know is how I've actually been able to complete three novels (one which will never see the light of day because it's far too dark) and almost finished a fourth (crosses fingers here). The research I've done for every book has actually decided the direction each book would take. As I learn more about what I'm writing, I think, Oh yeah! That's why this happens and that's why that happens, and that's why so-and-so reacts this way or doesn't react this or that way.

Entire plot threads open up to me when I actually know what I'm talking about. Being a research geek, I get excited about what I'm learning. I love to learn the why and how of things. Especially when it has to do with people.

At first the amount of information can be overwhelming, and it is time consuming to do, but when you mine through it and pick out just the things you need, you really find your story. Too much information and your story gets lost in it or bogged down. I'm a firm believer in only using the tid bits you need to tell the story the best you can. Leave the rest. We've all read books that were jammed with so much research and info that we forgot what the story was really supposed to be. Not good.

But just the right amount of research can fuel the story forward and enhance it. Bring the characters to life. Give them more purpose. I've actually created characters because of the research I've done.

The trick, though, is to figure out what sets a fire within you. What are you burning to know? What unanswered questions are you trying to answer? For me, it's always why?

When you find that thing that impassions you start your research and you'll find your story. The one that needs to get written.