Using research as an excuse not to write

Research is something important when we write fiction as well as when we write non-fiction. Research the detail is important and necessary. The problem is when we use our research as the perfect excuse to not write.
There is more to research, in many cases is the perfect excuse not to write. Make you feel that you are doing something useful and important.
Many people aspire to finish their book, their stories or their scientific paper; spend hours (or waste hours) in the name of research. The moment in witch research because it is important its transformed in the research so I don’t write is almost imperceptible. Even in many cases the person don’t noticed that it is an excuse and think that it is a real reason not to write.
That was one of the hardest lessons that I had need to learned. In my next novel (Fall 2012), some part of the story happen in Spain, specifically in Rioja. I could had drank more wine in the name of research, but this way one never writes. How do I know if my research reflect the essence of Rioja or its fantastic wine? Honestly I don’t know. But ten hours more of research, wouldn’t give me a better answer. Continue the research is the perfect excuse to never finish the story and not feel bad because I am not doing it. Without a doubt the more I wrote and happened in the story I had to return and research stuff, but following one simple rule: I wasn’t allowed to research on the time that i was writing. The result is the draft of my novel.
What are you trying to write? How much of the research do you think you need to do is a need or an excuse not to write? What happened if you begin to write even when you are not done with the research?
(I need to make a pause, if you like go to You Tube or Pinterest, I am going to research a little more.)
I am back, one hour of research that was useless for this post, but that without a doubt could help me to never finish it.
It is the moment to stop the research and begin to write, to stop using the research process as an excuse. It is the moment to sit in front the white page, confront the fears, the muses and the demons; because it is only when we face these that we can get out the words that are captive of the excuses and fears.

Join our email list to receive occasional messages! Your emails are never shared, sold or spammed by us.

Published by

Augusto Pinaud

Augusto Pinaud es Coach de Tecnología de Productividad Bilingüe, Especialista en Nozbe Teams. Augusto trabaja con dueños y gerentes de pequeñas empresas, ejecutivos y profesionales en productividad, tecnología y mejora de procesos utilizando una variedad de tecnologías de productividad.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.