Erin Radniecki • Book Coach

Author: Erin Radniecki

  • Orienting Your Reader

    Orienting Your Reader

    Have you ever woken up the first morning of a vacation and wondered, where am I? 

    In the foggy moments of early consciousness your brain is grasping for landmarks, looking for something familiar. It’s disorienting for a moment, before you recall where you are and why you’re there.

    When someone is reading your novel, they are having that experience repeatedly. 

    This happens most dramatically in the opening chapter of your novel, but it also occurs at the beginning of each new scene, and when you switch between point of view characters.

    Any time that you quickly change location, day or time, or the people in your protagonist’s company, your reader is forced to reorient themself.

    These moments of reorienting are pivotal for your reader. They are feeling off balance and are searching for answers. It’s your job as the author to quickly and succinctly ground the reader with just enough details that they understand where they are and what’s happening. 

    Leave them with too many details and they will be overwhelmed with information, unsure which parts are most important. But if you don’t give them enough information, they won’t have the context to understand what’s happening. Either way, you risk losing their attention.

    Let’s look at the biggest, most important “where am I?” moment of any novel: the first chapter.

    When your audience reads the first pages of your book they have no understanding of what they’ve been dropped into. Even if they’ve read the jacket copy, they don’t know the specifics of the precise moment they are occupying in the book.

    As they are reading the opening pages, they are thinking:

    • Where and when am I?
    • Who am I? (As in, whose head am I in?)
    • Am I alone? If not, am I with friends or enemies?
    • Am I in a safe place? A dangerous place? An embarrassing situation?

    Until the reader understands those basic things, their brain is quickly handling every piece of information available, looking for threats and discarding anything that doesn’t answer the questions above. They are looking for landmarks that can orient them. 

    This is an important time for you to give them precise pieces of information that help them feel grounded. It is not the time to introduce an extensive cast of characters, describe your fictional world in great detail, or explain large amounts of backstory.

    I know it can be hard to hold back at this moment. After all, you are so excited about the story you’ve written, and you can’t wait to tell your audience all about it! But remember that you have a whole novel to reveal your creation to your reader. 

    Overwhelming them with details at any point of the story is never good, but it’s especially dangerous at the beginning of the novel when they’re not yet invested in the story. 

    How do you choose the information to include to provide the guidance your reader is looking for?
    Here are some guidelines to help you decide.

    Include specific details

    When you’re trying to quickly convey a setting, the more specific the details you include the better. This does not mean you want to include loads of details. One very clear description is better than a paragraph of vague adjectives. Choose a few details that will best express what’s happening in the moment and work to make them as evocative as you can.

    Share the protagonist’s feelings

    If your main character is afraid, then the reader knows to be afraid. If they are annoyed, then the reader knows to be annoyed. Having this information from the protagonist helps set the tone for the reader and allows them to settle into the reality of the present moment in the story.

    Consider that you can provide an extra layer of insight if the setting and the protagonist’s feelings are mismatched. For example, if the story opens in a setting that is calm or jovial, but the main character is feeling tense, worried, or fearful, that gives the reader clues that something is happening under the surface.  

    Avoid backstory that can’t be conveyed in one sentence

    Early in the story it’s often sufficient to apply a label to something that holds significant meaning for the protagonist. For example, the protagonist referring to an “ex-best friend” lets the reader know how to feel toward a side character without wading into the history of the relationship just yet. Or if the protagonist mentions a place that always makes them feel sad or happy or nostalgic the reader knows that location holds meaning without sharing all the details in the moment.

    Now, when you hint at backstory you’re making a promise to your reader that you will explain the details later. So make sure you eventually provide that detailed backstory in a later scene or chapter, when the reader is grounded in the story and ready to receive the information.

    Limit the number of characters involved

    If you were to show up to a gathering of new-to-you people, would you want to meet them rapid fire, each of them peppering you with their personal details? Of course not! That would be overwhelming and you likely wouldn’t remember much about anyone. 

    Your reader is in a similar position in the opening chapter of a book. Not only are they juggling many details about the setting and what is occurring in the scene, but if you introduce a whole cast of characters on top of that they are likely to get overwhelmed. Try to limit yourself to just the essential characters for your opening scene.


    Whether it’s the opening pages of your book, or a scene change somewhere in the middle, abrupt shifts in time, space, or point of view require that your reader reorient themself in the story.

    Giving them cues to help them feel grounded in the details of the moment ensures that they feel guided throughout your story. It allows them to stay deeply immersed in the world that you’ve created, and that means they’ll keep turning the pages until The End.

  • How Many Books Should You Write at One Time?

    How Many Books Should You Write at One Time?

    Fun fact: most writers have multiple book ideas floating around in their heads at any given moment.

    We’re creative beings, after all, and most of us like to play the “what if?” game.

    What if someone wakes up and discovers their life has moved forward 40 years overnight?
    What if someone reaches into their mailbox and gets bitten by a small monster? 
    What if someone uncovers a family secret that makes them rethink their whole childhood?

    Those three “what ifs” could be three completely different novels. And each idea is shiny, new, and chock full of possibilities.

    But what about your current book? If you start working on something new are you cheating on your work in progress (WIP)? If you pause to play around with a new idea, are you avoiding the hard work of finishing your current novel? Or is it all just a big creative playground and the more ideas the merrier?

    Truth #1 is there are no hard and fast rules here.
    You can certainly step away from your draft or manuscript and play around with a new project that has captured your imagination. Maybe you have two or three projects and you rotate through them, spending time on each one as your inspiration directs.

    Truth #2 is project hopping can absolutely be a form of procrastination.
    If you’ve reached a difficult phase of your writing project, your brain says “woah, this is getting hard, you’re spending a lot of energy on this, let’s find an easier path.” Suddenly you feel compelled to explore a brand new idea, and you are absolutely certain that this premise or this character are what you should be working on.

    So what should you do? Open the floodgates and let all the ideas frolic? Or have a strict one-novel-at-a-time policy?

    Your approach is going to be personal, but here are some tips to help you be thoughtful and deliberate about your choices. 

    Jot it down and tuck it away.

    It’s always a great idea to write down some notes about the things that inspire you. I mean, who hasn’t had a fabulous idea, only to lose it forever because you didn’t jot it down in the moment? Record those shiny ideas somewhere safe, and then see if that’s enough to help you focus on your primary project. If that doesn’t scratch the itch, you could consider spending more time on the new story idea.

    Identify what you’re avoiding. 

    Most of the time we chase new ideas because our current project has gotten hard. So ask yourself, what is it about my current WIP that am I avoiding? Another way to ask this is, if I could fix one problem I’m struggling with in this WIP, what would it be? Once you’ve identified the issue, decide if you want to tackle it, either on your own or with help, or if giving yourself some time away from the problem might help unlock a solution. 

    And if you do decide to give your current WIP some space, put a date on your calendar when you’ll check back in. You don’t want a little break to turn into a three month hiatus.

    Use it as a reward. 

    It’s valid to worry that new projects are just avoidance masquerading as brilliant ideas. If that’s a concern for you, make progress on your main book a prerequisite for playing with your new idea. Set reasonable goals for your primary novel, and after you meet a goal, reward yourself with playtime with your new idea.

    Create a schedule. 

    If you want to make regular progress on two or more projects, you might need to put on your project manager hat. Create a schedule that includes all of your projects and balances your time between them. Also schedule pockets of time where you get to choose in the moment which project your energy is directing you toward.

    Check in with your goals. 

    Multiple projects means slower progress, but that’s not necessarily a deal breaker. Ask yourself, if it takes me six months longer to complete Project A, am I okay with that? You might choose to prioritize fun and inspiration over speed.

    Be sure to factor in any deadlines that are looming. For example, if you want to pitch Project A at a writing conference, then that project has to be given priority, and Project B will likely have to wait. 

    If this topic is resonating deeply with you because you’ve been in this place before, or you’ve been stuck here for a while, this may not be a problem you can crack on your own. You’ve likely tried all the DIY fixes, and it’s time to get some help. 

    If that’s the case, it might be a good idea for us to have a conversation and put together a high level plan for you so you have a strategy to stay on track. You can book a free call here.

  • Will I Ever Finish This Book?

    Will I Ever Finish This Book?

    Do you know what I love? A helpful progress bar.

    Whether I’m filling out a digital survey, completing an online course, or filing my taxes, I want to be able to see exactly where I am in the process. It helps me feel grounded and secure. Without it, I feel adrift, wondering what exactly I signed up for and if it’s too late to bail out.

    One place I would be thrilled to have a progress bar is in my writing.

    Imagine if our novels came with progress bars, showing us just how much further we need to go until the book is finished. And not just a finished first draft, but a completed manuscript, revised and polished and ready for the world. Wouldn’t that make it so much easier to keep going? Sounds pretty dreamy to me.

    The reality is, wherever you stand in your writing process at this moment, you really have no idea how close (or far) you are from being truly done. 

    Sure, you may have a guess how long it will take you to finish your first draft, or how long until your current round of revisions is complete. But you don’t know if your draft is hiding a major plot hole, or how many revision passes you’ll end up needing. 

    When we write a novel, we don’t actually know how long it will take to finish the book. And when we don’t know how far we need to go to reach our destination, it can feel unreachable. 

    It’s like having a map, but no legend to tell you the scale. Does one inch equal a mile or 100 miles? Three revision passes or 30? Two years of writing or 10? 

    When I look at my unfinished manuscript and wonder if I’ll ever finish it, this is what I tell myself:
    As long as you’re still working at it, you’re still getting closer. 

    If you’re still writing, still learning, and still taking small steps toward finishing your novel, then you are moving ever closer to your destination. 

    If you keep working at it, you will finish your novel, it’s just a question of when. (This is when that progress bar would really come in handy.) 

    How do you ensure that you keep moving forward toward your goal without throwing in the towel? 
    Here are five things you can do. 


    Keep taking small steps 

    Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes stamina and grit to complete a novel. To keep going you need to continually take small, steady steps toward your goal. Bonus points if you take a variety of steps to accommodate periods of high and low energy, and seasons of life that are busier than others. 

    For example, some days you might add to your word count, while others you might read an article about writing dialogue, or peruse your local bookstore to see what’s new in your genre.

    Keeping your book in the front of your mind will prevent it from slipping to the back burner.


    Reflect

    Once you’ve made it a habit to take small steps, the next thing to do is stop and reflect on all that progress you’ve made. Afterall, what’s the point of making consistent progress if you never stop to appreciate it?

    Reflecting might look like keeping a journal of how you’re feeling about your writing, recording your word count on a calendar, or just pausing to acknowledge, I’m doing this! Whatever method you choose, schedule time to do it regularly.


    Enjoy yourself along the way

    A sure fire way to guarantee you’ll give up is to make the writing process painful. If you think inflicting impossible-to-reach word count goals, and hours-long writing sessions on yourself is the way to successfully finish your novel, you’re going to be disappointed. 

    Instead of having high production expectations, which are guaranteed to cause burnout and avoidance, try having high fulfillment expectations. Set the expectation that writing will be fun, and then make it so.

    Try connecting your writing with something you enjoy, like a special beverage, treat, or writing ritual of some kind. I know writers who track their writing sessions in fun ways and share the tally with others at the end of the month. 

    Whatever you can do to make yourself smile when you write is worth trying!

    Remember what first sparked your interest

    Since writing a novel is such a long process, it’s possible to forget why you actually fell in love with your story idea in the first place. 

    When that little seed of a story has grown and you find yourself juggling a cast of complex characters, multiple points of view, and a fantastical world, you may look around and wonder, how did I get here?

    Occasionally reconnecting with that little story idea and remembering why it was so persistently stuck in your head can help you feel grounded and reorient your focus on your novel.

    Connect with other writers

    Humans are gregarious. We like to be part of a group. (Yes, even introverted writers!) And when you’re doing something as difficult as writing a novel, having one or more people to connect with is crucial.

    Seeing others trying, struggling, and overcoming the same obstacles you have helps you not feel so alone. 

    There are many places to find fellow writers, and connecting doesn’t have to mean swapping pages or giving (or receiving) feedback. 

    Here’s one way I’ve created this space for myself: I host two online co-writing sessions every week. There isn’t a lot of chit chat, and we don’t swap pages. We just gather, say hi, write for about an hour, and sign off. But even something as simple as that has given us the accountability needed to show up for our writing. You’re welcome to join me! You can sign up here.

    If you look around I bet you’ll find a variety of opportunities to connect with other writers, either in person or online. And if you don’t, create your own!



    When you’re deep in the writing trenches, wondering if you’ll ever finish your novel, just remember: As long as you keep working on it, you’re getting closer to the finish line all the time. If your novel had a progress bar, I bet you’d be surprised to see how much headway you’re making.

  • 3 Lessons for Writing a First Draft

    3 Lessons for Writing a First Draft

    Recently I shared an interview with a client (we’ll call her Karla), who recently finished the first draft of her novel. (Woo hoo! 🎉) If you missed that conversation, you can read it here.

    If you’re hoping to be in a similar position in 2026, here are 3 key takeaways from Karla’s interview that you should pay attention to.

    1. It takes time

    Karla has learned that it takes a lot of time to write a manuscript, even longer than she originally thought it would. What is your expected timeline to finish your draft? Do you think it’s realistic? 

    Let’s do some math. If an average novel is about 80,000 words (length is dependent on genre, but this is a nice round number to work with), and there are around 250 words on a double spaced manuscript page, you’ll be writing about 320 pages to complete your draft. 

    Now, how many pages can you realistically write in a week or month? Not during November, when some people are burning the candle at both ends trying to write 50,000 words. 

    In a typical month, where you’re dealing with life and work, how many pages can you complete? 

    There’s no right answer here, and certainly no judgement! Some people write fast and some write slow (that’s me!). The aim is to have realistic expectations. 

    Let’s say you can write 20 pages a month. That means you should plan to spend 16 months writing your draft. How does that number feel to you? Is it shorter or longer than you had imagined? If you want to finish your draft in less time, you might need to allocate more of your time each week to writing.

    2. Make it a routine

    Karla noticed that while it was hard to sit down and write at the beginning of the drafting process, it got easier with time. If you stay away from your draft for weeks at a time and then expect to be able to sit down and knock out a few thousand words, you might find your results are less than ideal.

    While it’s true that everyone has their own process, and I’m not here to dictate what yours should be, the sheer size of your goal means that tackling it in small, regular doses will increase your odds of success.

    Keeping a routine is especially important if you feel resistance every time you sit down to write. That resistance is your brain panicking at the enormous feat you’re attempting. 

    It’s saying, “Hold up, there are a lot of unknowns here. It’s looking a little dangerous, so let’s slowly back away from the computer and binge watch a nice, familiar Netflix drama.” 

    But with regular writing sessions, you’ll train your brain not to go into protector mode and you’ll see your word count grow.

    3. First draft ≠ Final draft

    Karla knows that when she types The End on her manuscript, she is far from done. This is an important lesson, because many writers think it’s an easy downhill coast after writing that first draft. 

    In reality, the revision process often represents more work than drafting, not less.

    If you find that thought discouraging, try looking at it this way:  You have every reason to loosen up and play while you’re drafting! 

    Knowing that most of what you write in your first draft will end up getting refreshed as you revise can help you release the death grip you have on your story, and maybe even keep that inner critic at bay.


    These three takeaways can help you achieve your goal of writing a first draft, no matter your experience level, the genre you’re writing in, or how much time you can devote to writing. 

    Writing the first draft of a novel is a big undertaking. Having realistic expectations can help you get to The End, and have more fun along the way!

  • The Writer’s Holiday Survival Guide: Managing Awkward Conversations About Your Writing

    The Writer’s Holiday Survival Guide: Managing Awkward Conversations About Your Writing

    If you’re planning to gather with friends and family this holiday season you may be dreading every writer’s worst case scenario: direct inquisition about your writing. 🫣

    Whether it’s the eagerly supportive “So, how’s your book coming along?” or the aggressive “Are you still wasting time writing?” having the public spotlight on your book, your progress, or your process can be stressful.

    All that attention can bring up a platter of insecurities and trigger a gravy boat full of self doubt. 

    Since we are at the start of the holiday season, I’ve put together a little survival guide to help you get through any awkward conversations you might encounter in the coming weeks.

    Choose who’s in your writing support circle. 

    The first thing to remember is that you get to choose who hears about your writing. Spend some time now to identify the people who you feel safe sharing writing updates with, and those you don’t.

    Envision a target. The people in your life who you consider to be a safe and supportive audience for writing realities go in the center bullseye. Those who are approved for generic writing updates go in the second ring, and anyone who shall-not-for-any-reason-be-told-about-your-book lands in the third ring. 

    Do not consider your family tree when making these designations. There are no rules here. If your second cousin’s wife is your staunch supporter, she goes in the bullseye. Your mom, who rolls her eyes at any mention of your writing, is in the outer ring. This is about support, not genetics.


    They don’t know what they don’t know. 

    Recognize that most questions come from a lack of knowledge about the writing and publishing process. When responding to a triggering question, take a deep breath and ask yourself if providing a little context would lead to a deeper conversation (and one that is focused on an industry rather than on you).

    For example, friends and family probably haven’t done the math around just how long it takes to write 70k, 80k, or 100k words. They might think you only need to write the first draft, run it through spell check, and call it a day, rather than going through multiple rounds of revision. If you’re feeling up to it, take a moment to share some writing realities with them.

    Not everyone goes pro. 

    If someone assumes that your version of success equals getting your book traditionally published, it might be helpful to point out that spending time on an activity you enjoy doesn’t mean you want to quit your day job. Lots of people take watercolor classes or train for marathons, but that doesn’t mean they want to become famous painters or sponsored athletes. 

    Now, it is absolutely okay to use this tactic even if you do hope to publish your novel some day! Remember, you get to choose who knows what about your writing dreams, and this can be a helpful way to deflect unwanted scrutiny while protecting what’s important to you.

    The money conversation. 

    Ick, money. It’s a taboo subject for a reason. But if it does come up that you spent money (or want to spend money) on your writing, and you’re getting some raised eyebrows, I suggest you frame the topic this way: people invest in activities they enjoy all the time. 

    Next, let the examples fly. Sports fans go to sporting events, and music lovers attend concerts. Knitters spend a lot on yarn, and it’s common for golfers to work with a golf pro. If you really want to be prepared, you can think of the interests that are popular in your family and have them at the ready. 

    The fact is, if you want to go to a writing conference or hire a book coach, that’s how you choose to invest in your craft and you shouldn’t feel bad about it. (And no one has any right to make you feel bad about it!)

    You don’t have to engage.

    If someone asks how your book is coming along and they are not a safe person to share the truth with, then don’t. Give a vaguely positive answer and then redirect the conversation. “The writing is great, thanks for asking. How’s your pickle ball game these days? I heard you were in a tournament.”

    I hope that you don’t have to employ any of these techniques during your holiday gatherings. But if you find yourself in a difficult conversation, hopefully these tips will help you get through them with grace and confidence.

    And while the holidays may be the hardest time to have these conversations, in reality they can happen any time of year. It’s worth your energy to draw these boundaries now so that you have them whenever you need them.

  • Finishing a First Draft

    Finishing a First Draft

    This week I want to celebrate a client of mine. We’ll call her Karla. She’s been working hard on the first draft of her novel for fourteen months now, and she’s getting excitingly close to having a complete manuscript!

    As a writer on the verge of a big milestone, I wanted to get Karla’s reflections on her process so far, and share her takeaways with you.

    Karla, you’ve been working on your draft for just over a year. If you could talk to the Karla of a year ago, what would you tell her about this process?

    I would tell her that writing a first draft is a long process, and it’s okay that it’s taking longer than she thought it would, even longer than it might take other writers. Some days will be harder than others, but if you push through the writer’s block and hard days, it is rewarding to meet your weekly page goals and see how far you’ve gotten in the story. You’re also laying down the foundation of your story, so it’s fine if what you’re writing now isn’t perfect. You’re setting yourself up to build and refine what you’ve already written when you come back and do edits.

    ​

    You’re about three quarters of the way through your draft. Is there anything about the process so far that has been easier than you thought it would be? Anything that has been harder?

    Easier: It’s [now] easier to sit down and write something. At first, I found it difficult to find the motivation to work because I saw how far I needed to go to say I’d written a first draft of something. It’s also easier to sit down because it has become a habit or a routine to work on it throughout the week.

    Harder: I still struggle with writing transitions between the scenes I planned out for my outline even though I’ve been writing for over a year. I didn’t realize how challenging it is to write a story that flows together until I had to do it myself.

    ​

    As you near the end of your draft, has your outlook on the writing process changed at all? Is it easier to find the energy or motivation to write?

    I have more respect for the people who write or work with writers. I always knew writing a book took time, but I didn’t realize how long the process actually takes until I attempted to do it myself. It is easier to find the motivation to write now. As I gray out the scenes I’ve already written in my outline, I can see the end of my story. I find it motivational to see that I’ve grayed out almost all the boxes.

    ​

    If someone is about to start drafting their novel, or is in the drafting process and is struggling, what advice would you give them?

    Don’t compare yourselves to other writers. Everyone has a different writing process and writing speed. If you write more slowly than the people you see online, or you don’t have as much time to write, that’s okay. Take it one scene or page at a time, your story will come out in its own time, and people will be excited to read it whenever it’s ready. If you’re stuck during a scene, take a break and do something else for a bit. I’ve found that when I’m stuck on something, I’ll go on a walk or do something around my house. Most of the time while I’m doing something else, I’ll think of an idea of what I can include to help me get unstuck.

    ​

    Once your draft is finished, what do you think your next steps for your novel will be?

    I’m going to finish making the corrections you recommended as my book coach. Once I’m done with that, I’m going to find an editor to work with to polish up my story.

    ​

    I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to support Karla through her drafting process with submission deadlines and feedback on her pages.

    If you’re writing a first draft, and especially if you’ve been frustrated with how long the process is taking, I hope that hearing Karla’s experience provides some reassurance that you will get to type The End. Just keep taking small, steady steps toward your goal. It may not be flashy, but as you can see, it works.

  • Is It Worth Writing in the Age of AI?

    Is It Worth Writing in the Age of AI?

    Years ago I spent a lot of time on my art-making hobby. I made 2D and 3D mixed media art in a spare bedroom that I referred to as my Studio. I never sold anything, but I did have pieces in a couple community shows.

    Let me tell you, there are a lot of supplies you can buy as an artist. Some of them are actual supplies, like paint, adhesives, cold press paper, and brayers. They are tools the artist uses to create their art.

    There are also “supplies.” Things like stencils, rubber stamps, and kits of all kinds. These always seemed to me like shortcuts to make art that would look like someone else’s art.

    I was sort of a purist. If I wanted to use a stencil, I would make the stencil. If I wanted to use fabric, I would typically alter it in some way. If I wanted to use a stamp, I would carve it, albeit badly.

    I wanted to make the elements mine, which in turn made the art I produced more mine. (I didn’t go as far as making my own paper, but there were days I considered it.)

    There’s been a lot of news about AI and writing since, well, ever since AI showed up on the scene.

    I’ve tried not to get too wound up about AI, one way or the other. I tend to lean more toward Luddite than early tech adopter, taking a measured approach and considering if the next big thing is really something to get excited about.

    But eventually I started to form an opinion about AI, and I can see that it connects directly back to my experience creating art:

    If I say I am a creator, then I should be the one creating.

    When I think about being a creator, I equate it with terms like craftsman, artisan, and maker. Someone who has spent time to master their craft. Someone who has applied themselves and developed a skill.

    That’s who I want to be, as a writer and a visual artist.

    I don’t care that using AI could allow me to do things faster or using less energy. (I’m talking about my own energy here, certainly not the energy used by AI.)

    When I write a book I want to know that I have worked hard to take an idea, cultivate it, shape it, and hone it into a unique, quality novel that has my fingerprints all over it.

    So when the questions fly regarding AI and writing, like…

    • Should writers use AI in their process?
    • Is it okay to use it for brainstorming?
    • What about for grammar and spell checking?
    • Could AI be used in place of a real live editor (or book coach)?

    …I’m not going to bother trying to answer them for other writers.

    But I do have a stance on how I will be using AI in my writing:

    I won’t be using it. And I want to work with other writers who choose not to use it either.

    I was in a meeting with Author Accelerator CEO Jennie Nash last month and she said (I’m paraphrasing) she believes the fundamental motivation to write a book, for most writers, is that you want to create something, not copy something.​

    I’m excited to engage with writers who want to create something and who are ready and willing to lean into the messy work of creating. Are you with me?

  • Is Research Helping or Hurting Your Novel?

    Is Research Helping or Hurting Your Novel?

    On my bookshelf sits a 763 page book on the history of Great Britain in the 1930s.

    That’s a thick book.

    I bought it years ago in preparation for writing a novel. I felt I needed this background information in order to write an accurate story.

    Did I mention I was writing historical fantasy for 10 year olds?

    When it comes to research for our novels, our brains can convince us we must know All. The. Things. We have to be prepared. We must be experts on our topic, or else risk being called out as a fraud.

    Or course this leads to research overwhelm, paralysis, and thoughts of ‘who am I to write this book?’ If you’re not careful you’ll find yourself awake at 1:00am researching advanced degrees in obscure histories.

    But there’s a solution to research overkill: wait until you’ve written your first draft.

    Here’s another revelation about my novel. I thought it was going to include lots of electricity. As in, the villain was going to harness electricity to carry out his evil plan. I spent time researching electricity and municipal electrical systems, thinking about how it might be used, and ultimately… not using electricity at all.

    I finished the first draft of my novel two weeks ago, and instead of 1930s history and electricity, it turns out I need to research canals and locks instead. Who knew?!

    And that’s the point. There was no way I could have known that at the beginning of the writing process.

    Most of the research I did beforehand turned out to be unhelpful for writing my novel. But now that I have a completed draft, and I understand where the gaps in my knowledge are, I can strategically research only what will be useful.

    I understand the urge to do loads of research before you begin writing. It feels like necessary preparation, like due diligence. But until you know specifically what information will be useful to you, it is easy to get lost down the rabbit hole of knowledge.

    Rather than compile pages of notes and then try to craft a story around that information, we need to create a story that works and then fit our research to match.

    If you feel you absolutely must research before you begin writing your novel, here are some ways to keep it from getting out of hand:

    Acknowledge that you know more about your subject than you realize.

    Because you do know a lot already. You’ve read a book or article, learned a tidbit on Jeopardy, picked up information here and there because you are a curious person.

    Do some ‘soft’ research.

    Watch a movie, such as a period drama set in the time and place you’ll be writing about. Don’t take a lot of notes, just observe. Let it confirm what you already know, and plant some curiosity seeds to look into later. (Like, later later.)

    Trust your ability to pivot.

    If you make a few assumptions and they turn out to be wrong, trust that you can massage your manuscript during revision so that the story still works.

    Changing your perspective on research can help you stop preparing and start writing your novel. Because your goal is to have a finished book, not to be an expert in hairstyles of the 1750s.