Musings: Researching for Contemporary Fiction

As a writer, you have the power to transport readers to new worlds, take them on exciting adventures, and expose them to different perspectives. However, for contemporary fiction writers who discuss real-world situations in their novels, it's important to ensure that the information included in your book is accurate and reliable. This is especially important when writing about contemporary geopolitical issues, where accuracy and nuance can be crucial to resonating with your readers.

In this blog post, we'll explore some tips and strategies for researching your novel and finding reliable sources to incorporate factual information into your writing.

Start with the basics

Before diving into complex topics, start by doing some basic research on the history, geography, and politics of the region. Look for sources written by #OwnVoices perspectives—people who have lived experience on the topics you’re researching. This strategy will give you a solid foundation of knowledge to build on as you delve deeper into specific issues, with an understanding of how various policies and events impacted the people closest to them. Use a mix of books, articles, and online resources to gather this information.

Consult The experts

To get a deeper understanding of the issues you're writing about, it's important to consult experts in the field. This should always include individuals with first-hand experience with the issues you’re exploring, but can also cover academics, journalists, or government resources. Reach out to these experts through email or social media and ask if they would be willing to speak with you or answer some questions. Remember to be respectful of their time and expertise, and always cite your sources properly.

Read widely

In addition to consulting experts, it's important to read widely on the topics you're writing about. In particular, be aware of whose perspective is being told in each source you use. Just consider, for example, the different answers you might get about the status of freedom in the United States if you ask an American Democrat, an American Republican, and a politics professor from China. A good tip is to find sources both from people who are close to the issue, as well as those who may be more detached. Compare and contrast the differences to begin to give you a fuller understanding of the nuances of the situation.

This will help you develop a solid understanding of the issues, ensure that you're not relying solely on one viewpoint, and thoughtfully decide how you want to present the issues when you touch on them in your own work.

Fact-check

Once you've gathered information from various sources, it's important to fact-check everything before including it in your writing. This means verifying statistics, dates, and other factual information to ensure that it's accurate and up-to-date. You can use fact-checking websites and tools to help with this process. Be careful of any seemingly outlandish claims or assertions that only appear in a single account of events, as this can be an indicator of misinformation.

Use primary sources

If possible, try to incorporate primary sources into your research. This might mean using firsthand accounts, government documents, or other primary sources to gather information. This will give your writing a level of authenticity and depth that can't be achieved through secondary sources alone—even if some of these sources are biased in one way or another.

Some of the resources I referenced when writing The Great Quiet included the Town of Huahine’s official website, Cancer.gov, the Myeloma Beacon, and even the LAX Airport website. These all helped me flesh out the details that I wanted to keep true to life—like myeloma symptoms, descriptions of the area, and potential flight plans—while also making more believable fictional characters and situations.

Stay up-to-date

Finally, it's important to stay up-to-date on the issues you're writing about. Follow news outlets, subscribe to newsletters, and stay active on social media to stay informed on the latest developments. When I was writing about the issues of French Polynesia in The Great Quiet, I made a point to read the RNZ and other regional news. This will help ensure that your writing stays timely and relevant, as well as accurate with regards to ongoing situations.

Know when to fictionalize

While it's important to include accurate information and real-life events in your writing, it's equally important to be aware of the potential legal implications of doing so.

When writing about contemporary geopolitical issues, whether in the Pacific Ocean or anywhere else in the world, it's important to keep in mind that many of these issues involve real-life people, organizations, and events. If you include too many specifics in your novel, you run the risk of being accused of libel or slander if your writing is perceived as defamatory.

One way to avoid this is to fictionalize certain aspects of your novel. This doesn't mean you have to make everything up, but rather that you can use creative license to change names, locations, and other details to avoid any potential legal issues. This is particularly important when writing about niche topics or when discussing real-life people or organizations.

Including a disclaimer at the beginning of your novel is also a good idea. This can help protect you from legal action by stating that your novel is a work of fiction and that any similarities to real-life people or events are purely coincidental. It's important to remember, however, that disclaimers alone may not be enough to prevent legal action if your writing is deemed defamatory.

Ultimately, it's up to you as the author to decide how much creative license to use when writing about real-life events and people. While it's important to strive for accuracy and factual information, it's equally important to be aware of the potential legal implications of your writing. By being cautious and aware of these issues, you can write a novel that is both engaging and legally sound.

Final thoughts

Incorporating factual information into your writing can be a challenging but rewarding process. By following these tips and strategies, you can use accurate information to craft engaging novels that touch on vital contemporary issues or call attention to historical events that still matter today. While citing your sources may not be a requirement for fiction writers, keeping records of your research is still a best practice. In addition, be sure to fact-check key dates and events and consult experts as necessary. With a little bit of effort and dedication, you can write a novel that not only entertains readers but also informs them and inspires them to take action to improve our world.