Novel Research: The Pitfalls of Excessive Research

Once your have an idea for a novel, the first thing most writers research some elements for their idea. The elements include character traits, setting, background, and many more more elements. The list can become endless. A new writer may become involve in an endless road of knowing all the details. However, any writer can fall into this trap.

One of my biggest and continuing problem is the never ending research. I have been writing for over 4 years now. I never knew how to let go and just write. I have let go many ideas because I could not stop looking into details. Because I never sat and wrote my ideas, those ideas no longer exist. I don’t even remember them. My current work in progress is my best effort of just writing. Only a few hours were involved and most of it involved watching Man vs. Wild. The most important, and I mean the most important, is the writing. Nothing else can compare to just writing the book you want to write.

You do not need to know all the details in every scene. The details will come later once you have written the story. Make a note with your word processor or note to the side if you are handwriting the story. A simple note is all you need. Finish the first draft, and then worry about the fine detail. It is only the first draft. The second draft can have those details you want to have. Don’t let your idea escape because those details over take you.

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