Leashing Your Research

Most writing takes some kind of research.  Whether it's fiction or nonfiction, writers have to know enough about their subject matter to be able to write clearly and effectively about it.  But research can be an untamed animal that can take you on a wild ride and ultimately get in the way of your writing. Leashing your research into a disciplined journey that you keep close to your purpose is the best way to make research a helper and not a hindrance. Researching any subject can be very absorbing and time-consuming; and as a writer, you can become so engrossed in your research that you forget to write. The research becomes the goal, not the writing.  You don't want to let this happen if you are committed to getting a project written.  Research is necessary, fascinating and fun, but don't let it consume too much of your time and energy.  Instead, let your research infuse your writing with tidbits of fact and detail much like you would season a food dish.  But don't let your research overwhelm you to the point where you feel pressured to get every bit of it into the mix.  This is a recipe for writer's block.  You can't possibly fit all of your research into your piece.  It would be overwhelming and your writing would suffer because it would begin to read like a fact list rather than prose.  Instead, look for those bits that will enhance your writing, not take it over.  The majority of your writing should still be your story, your style, your nuances, your voice. The research and fact-checking is just there to make your writing better, more accurate, more realistic, more meaningful.  It should not hijack your writing.  So keep your research on a leash.  Make it useful, but not overwhelming, stay close to your purpose, don't let it lead you off into irrelevant tangents, and let it be the effective tool it can be to make you a better writer.