Hi, procrastinators! I'm back to give you Tip Tuesday (which I have gotten way behind on).
This post is NOT to rant (that was for myself, not for you guys), but for those who want to do research but don't know how to do it. Or maybe the word "research" fills you with fear, and you want to learn how to conquer said fear. (Don't worry, by the way. You should only fear the word "research" when it's said in school.) For both groups, here's some ways to start your research.
-Start with a broad Google search. Form there, pick out the good informational sites to get an objective base. For example, if you're looking up an illness, be sure to look at sites like WebMD, which are fact checked by doctors. Wikipedia's okay, but I wouldn't rely solely on it. Avoid the forums and the Yahoo Answers for now.
-Be sure to look at more than one source. Relying on one source is tricky (because it may be wrong) as well as limiting (another source may go into more depth in a certain section, or offer a different perspective). Be sure to read a few sources.
-So now that you've gotten a technical understanding, you need that personal touch to go along with your (hopefully) three-dimensional characters. Now you should raid the forums, read others' stories, and see how these people ae like your character-or how they can shape them.
-Be creative in finding sources. Can you get your hands on a free autobiography in snook format? Is there an official website for information or advocacy? Can you ask people questions via email or chat? The more you do, the better developed your characters and book will be.
Research is very important, but it's not as daunting as it seems. In fact, it can even be...dare I say it...fun.
How do you research? Comment below!
Until then, enjoy this lovely short video that managed to be the subject of an entire physics lab.