Class

Beyond Google: Research Strategies for Historically Accurate Writing

What clothing should your characters wear? What should they eat? What do they care about? What do their homes look like? How do they get around? Every time period has a million little details to get right but most writers of historical fiction and nonfiction have one thing in common: They find themselves down the rabbit hole looking for information in all the wrong places. Precious writing time gets lost as the search becomes unwieldy and frustrating.

In this class, students will learn how to think like a librarian to identify—and use—appropriate online databases that are not necessarily discoverable by Google. It includes a quick review of basic sources and a more thorough study of advanced sources. Students will also gain an understanding of how to find historical artifacts, online affinity groups, and experts to help stoke creativity and provide further authenticity. Leave the class with an action plan of specific databases and search strategies that will keep you on task so you can get back to your pages faster. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide the instructor with their research topics ahead of time for targeted assistance.

This class takes place in-person, at the Loft at Open Book; we encourage participants to be fully vaccinated and masked in the interest of everyone’s safety. Please see the Loft’s website for the most up to date information about the Loft’s COVID policies.