You’ve crafted a compelling world, captivating characters, and a plot full of twists and turns. The last thing you want as a fiction writer is for easily avoidable errors to shake your reader’s immersion and trust. That’s why fact-checking is a crucial part of polishing your novel. Don’t let incorrect details derail your storytelling. Follow these tips to check accuracy and add authenticity.
Start With Broad Research
Before fact-checking specifics, immerse yourself in understanding your novel’s backdrop. Read both nonfiction books and fiction set in the time period or location. Peruse libraries, museums, academic journals. Gather context to steer your more targeted research.
Compile A Research Hit List
Maintain an ongoing list of facts to verify. This includes concrete details like:
- Dates of historical events
- Travel times or geography
- Product names or prices
But also includes fictional elements like:
- Realism of plot events
- Plausibility of settings
- Authenticity of character details
Having a master list prevents racing down rabbit holes. Stay focused.
Go Beyond Google
The internet is a helpful fact-checking starting point but should not be your only stop. Verify web info against published books, documentaries, academic sources. Visit settings in person if possible. Interview experts.
Master Tricky Topics Early
Identify challenging topics (police procedure, legalities, sciences etc.) and tackle them first. It’s better to realize early if a plot point won’t fly than rework a draft. Research until you understand complex concepts enough to write about them believably.
Consult The Right Experts
Interview people knowledgeable about elements that require accuracy. For medical details, contact doctors or nurses. For police process, current or former law enforcement. Speaking with specialists will pay accuracy dividends.
Vet Facts With A Critical Eye
Approach all research sources skeptically until confirmed by multiple references. Be especially wary of online sources which can propagate myths and hearsay. Verify everything.
Let Truth Drive Your Story
If meticulous research reveals plot implausibilities, be willing to tweak story elements. Don’t distort facts to suit your narrative if it will shatter believability. Let truth inform what is possible.
Beware Archaic References
Modern readers will stumble over obsolete words, dated slang, discontinued products. Omit specifics that will read as glaringly antiquated unless intentional. Fact-check language stays current.
Nail Tiny Details
Authenticity lies in specifics. Use internet satellite views or maps to verify landmarks, street names, highways, terrain. Check weather history reports to confirm storms. Accurate details add realism.
Create A Fact-Checking File
Stay organized! Maintain a binder or digital folder of all sources and notes cross-referenced to story sections. Include printouts, screenshots, transcripts. Thorough documentation prevents mistakes.
Fact-Check In Reverse
Before submitting your manuscript, reverse outline the story and double check you covered key facts for all plot points, settings, and character backgrounds. Verify nothing major slipped through the cracks.
Though tedious, fact-checking your fiction manuscript thoroughly is a vital final step. While no book is 100% error-proof, catching inaccuracies before publication protects your credibility and immerses readers in a believable world. Use these tips to bulletproof your book from preventable mistakes!
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