One of the most important aspects about writing that absolutely NEEDS to be done is research. No what type of writer you are, fiction or non-fiction, science fiction or horror, historical or political, you’re going to have to do research on whatever it is you’re writing about. Even if you know a lot about one or two subjects due to personal experience, you may end up writing about something that you know little to nothing about. The only way to make sure you get it right and not have a lot of mistakes or inaccuracies that will cause readers and editors to rag on you is to do the appropriate research.

But let’s face it, doing research can be a drag. After all, it typically involves going through tons of various types of books, magazines, videos and websites to find what you need. Then there’s also doing interviews and “ride-alongs” to get a feel for a certain vocation, which may not sound all that appealing to some folks. All those sorts of things can take time, time you could be spent writing. And even if you do find what it is you’re looking for, it could be done in a way that’s not exactly “user-friendly”, with big words and a huge flow of information that will simply go over your head and not stick with you, prompting you to keep going back and forth to make sure you got it right. It almost makes you want to give up writing completely, doesn’t it?

But all hope is not lost. For those of us looking for something a little easier and save some time, there are many alternatives out there that not only save plenty of time, but also may be easier to read and figure out so that it sticks with you. Here’s a list of those easier sources of reference material that’ll not only make your research time quicker and easier to do, but also still make sure you still get your writing right.

WIKIPEDIA:

Encyclopedias are great sources of information, but they only cover so much and of course take up so much space. The internet has also been a great tool for doing research, but it has the same problem as going to a library or bookstore, looking through tons of websites until you find the one that’s the most useful. But now the two have been combined into the information website Wikipedia. Described as “the free encyclopedia anyone can edit”, the multi-lingual site was launched in 2001 by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, and has since become the largest and fastest-growing, as well as most popular, reference site on the Internet. The uses it has for writers are many, since not only is the information easy to understand and comprehend, but is also easy to find, since all you have to do is type up what you’re looking for into the search engine and have it instantly brought up. And unlike a traditional book encyclopedia, Wikipedia contains entries for TV shows, movies, comic books, comic strips, musical acts and even anime, providing all sorts of information you may not have been aware of at first. It is, quite literally, a one-stop shop for research material that writers can use for any kind of project.

There are some drawbacks, though. While Wikipedia’s draw is that anyone can get a free membership to log-in and add articles or edit existing ones, that can also work against writers, as some people could add inaccurate or even false data about a topic. Luckily, Wikipedia has guidelines against this, requiring that any information added to have a “source material” that can be sited and referenced so as to confirm the accuracy of it. Articles also tend to be edited on a regular basis, so information you got the first time around may be completely different the next time you go back to re-check your information or get new data. There also might not be an article for what you’re looking for, or the article you do find isn’t that informative and is waiting for someone to update it, prompting you to keep looking elsewhere. But these are only a few relatively minor drawbacks, which makes Wikipedia still one the best and easiest sources of information out there.

FOR DUMMIES/THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO…/THE EVERYTHING…/K.I.S.S BOOKS:

Yeah, the titles may seem insulting at first glance, especially to those who know that they are NOT those kinds of people. But the various reference guide series “For Dummies”, “Complete Idiot’s Guide to…”, “The Everything…” and “K.I.S.S.” (Keep It Simple Series) have proven to helpful yet non-intimidating sources of information for those who are in need a more simpler source of reference material. The “For Dummies” books began in 1991 with the computer-based “DOS for Dummies”, since then branching out to cover a variety of topics. “The Complete Idiot’s Guide” books began in a similar way, as did the less-insulting “Everything” and “K.I.S.S.” books. With their distinctive covers and chapter set-ups, each series has become popular in their own way, providing basic yet helpful information on subjects ranging from history, science and even “how-to” manuals for things like playing guitar or even, believe it or not, writing.

Probably the only hard part about these books is deciding which series works best for you. Each one has their own draws and set-backs; for example, the “K.I.S.S.” series provides photos and illustrations in color, whereas the others usually stick to black-and-white, depending on the topic and whether it needs such imagery. Another deciding factor would be what topics are covered by each series. Just because there’s a “World History for Dummies” book out there doesn’t mean that there’s an “Idiot’s” version available for those who prefer that series. And while you may prefer the “Dummies” book on one subject, you may end up finding yourself preferring the “Everything” version of a different subject a little better, so chances are you may end up mixing and matching a bit. But if the end result is a decent and user-friendly reference library of actual books, you can’t really complain, can you?

THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO BOOKS:

They may be generally found in the “Humor” section of your local bookstore, but that doesn’t mean they don’t contain any useful information. Identified by their single-color, generic-style covers and small pocket size, the series began with “The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook”, written in 1999 by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht, containing instructions on how to survive such worst-case scenarios as a shark attack, an emergency plane landing or performing an emergency tracheotomy, complete with helpful illustrations. Since then a whole series has sprung up from the two authors, with books covering topics such as dating and sex, parenting, golf, college and even life itself. Similar books have since come along, such as “The Zombie Survival Guide” and “The Batman Handbook”, providing information on the related topics. Along with the “Dummies” series, the books have become useful pieces of information in their own right, perfect for writers who need more immediate information for certain subjects.

Probably the only downside is that the books are found in the “Humor” sections of bookstores, meaning that while somewhat useful and informative, the books seem to be designed to generate laughs, making whether or not they can be taken seriously debatable. Odds are, you’ll come across an entry that just seems totally absurd, like the “How to Get a Job You’re Not Qualified For…” section in the “Work” version of the series. And books like the “Zombie” and “Batman” books seem like they could only be applied in the world of fiction and fantasy, since situations like zombie attacks and costumed crime-fighter training are unlikely in the real world. But let’s keep in mind that actual research was put into these books, and chances are someone had performed some of the things covered in the “Worst-Case” books before they were even written. And if you can apply that information to your writing, especially if you’re writing fiction, then that makes them especially useful, now doesn’t it?

DK BOOKS:

Though they’ve been around since 1982 when they first published a “First Aid Manual”, the “visual dictionaries” written and published by Dorling Kindersly Publishing have probably gained the most recognition for their recent books written about the “Star Wars” movies and various comic book characters such as Superman and Spider-Man. But long before then, the company has and still publishes such dictionaries covering a variety of topics intended for both children and adults. With their “large format” size and white background covers to make them truly stand out, the DK Books contain easy-to-follow text and information along with handy pictures and illustrations to provide visual aides and more in-depth research. This especially becomes truly handy for writers, as the pictures can provide an example of what something is and how it works, allowing them to describe a topic better whether it be for fiction or non-fiction writing.

Do keep a couple of things in mind, however. Just like the “Dummies” series and its counterparts, the DK Books don’t cover every subject known to man, so depending on what you’re looking for, you may be out of luck. Also remember that DK publishes books for adults AND children, so a certain subject may only be found in one of their series intended for younger readers, such as the “Eyewitness” books. So chances are you’ll end up having to take a chance on a book written and illustrated with children in mind, as such not covering the subject in depth or with all the information you’re looking for. Regardless, the DK Books are still handy pieces of information to have on hand, and if you can find what you need, there’s really no reason to complain, is there?

MOVIES, TV AND DVDS:

They say that watching too much TV and/or movies can rot your brain. That may depend on what you’re watching and what for, and some folks learn better by watching rather than reading. Checking out a movie, TV show or video/DVD could very well be the next best thing to doing a visit, ride-along, or interview for those who don’t necessarily want to try and find time to do such things. TV is full of documentaries that can be found on such channels as A&E, Discovery, History, National Geographic and whatnot that can be useful research material, and most of these networks can later provide their shows on DVD. Watching prime-time shows, especially reality shows, or movies can certainly provide useful information on how certain things or jobs are done. A cop drama can give you an idea of how police work is done, while a medical show could provide insight on medical procedures. Period historical films, whether the serious ones or even the more comedic tales, can give you an idea on what life was like in those times for those writing similar period pieces. And they all have probably the biggest thing in common of all: learning how certain people may act and talk, thus enabling you to create more believable characters.

But while TV and movies can be helpful in those regards, you still have to be careful with them. More often than not, facts and/or situations can be embellished a bit to make things more interesting, especially in television shows and movies. Even so-called “reality” shows are guilty of this, making you wonder how much is actual fact and not just done for ratings, though this could depend on the channel the show is on. You also have to be careful where you’re getting your source material from, since a movie like “Animal House” is hardly a good example of what actual college life is like, just like “Police Academy” doesn’t accurately show police work. You’ll also have to be careful not to take inspiration and examples to the point where you’re just plain copying, and chances are it will be noticeable. But as long as you get the information you’re looking for and use them in your own way, you won’t have any problems.

And there you go. Five handy and easy-to-use areas of reference material you can use for research instead of scouring through tons of other, less user-friendly sources. They may not be the most reliable, accurate or even acceptable sources for more serious-minded people, but for the rest of us who want something a little easier, they couldn’t be better. And as long as it works for you and you get the right information so that you’re able to write better and more accurately, then go for it and get the last laugh when you craft something everyone will read and enjoy.