Research is an important part of any book, but particularly when you are writing nonfiction. No matter how well you know your subject, there will always be something that you need to double check.
Often we talk to writers, and they tell us that they sat down to write at 10am and realised that they needed to know what the weather was like on the 12th October 1986, or what the birth rate of Sweden was in 2024. The next thing they know it is 3pm and they have gone down a rabbit hole.
It’s so easy to do.
We want to make sure that our book is as accurate as possible, but at what point should we walk away and actually write.
When does research become procrastination?
Our top research tips
- Identify what you need – work out before you begin what questions you need to answer and what facts you need to find.
- Research your genre – look at other books in the same niche and ensure that you have researched structural things, such as how many words a book in your genre needs to be.
- Use reliable sources – always find multiple sources to back up the information you discover and go to the most reputable source you can.
- Get organised – Make sure you have a reliable way to collate your research. Use a notebook, ringbinder, an app such as Milanote. Make sure you note your sources as you will need to reference them in your book.
- Look for connections – As you research look for patterns and themes that can help you build a more comprehensive argument.
Be honest with yourself
There is always a point where you know that you have all the information you need in order to start writing your book. Often that little voice in your head will tell you that you need more data, more information, more research, before you can make a start. That my dear is your friend imposter syndrome raising its ugly head.
Imposter syndrome will tell you that you can’t start writing yet. You aren’t knowledgeable enough. Other people know more than you. Who will want to read your book anyway. This has to be the best book every written otherwise what’s the point in writing it… This is all normal.
Imposter syndrome in creatives is evidence that you really care about your art.
Imposter syndrome is a huge subject, but in summary, people who don’t care about the task in hand, never struggle with imposter syndrome, because they aren’t invested in the outcome. The reason we have this little voice in our head, is because we are passionate about our writing and we want it to be the best book ever written.
Stop listening to that little voice and take that first, brave step towards your writing dream.
Once you have all the facts you need to put your plan together and make a start, get writing. Then as you are writing, if you come across something you need to confirm or don’t know, put a place saver in XX INSERT STATISTIC HERE XX, keep writing, and then when you finish for the day, you can do the research and add that fact in.
If you aren’t the sort of person who can do that – honestly, I can’t – give yourself a time limit to find that information, set a timer, and when it goes off, get back to your writing. If it is going to take longer than that to find all the details you need then you have to make a judgement call. If it is going to be distracting not knowing what that information is, keep going until you can add in the research. If you are able to keep writing and return to it later, I recommend you do that, it will help the flow of your writing.
When does research become procrastination?
The point when research becomes procrastination is when you are using your research as an excuse not to start writing your book. You have books and books full of research, but that voice in your head is telling you that you need to keep doing more. It is a very human response, but you aren’t doing yourself any favours. Put down that pen, walk away from the library, close that Google tab and get brave and start writing.
If that feels too scary, use that research to make a really detailed plan, and use that as a half way house. Perhaps journal about what is holding you back and stopping you from taking that first step towards writing your book. Then take a big deep breath and start writing.
You can do this, you don’t need to have done all the research up front. Be honest, if you have done all the essential research you need for starting your book, open that Word document, or notebook, or Scrivener and get writing.
If you feel that you would benefit from having someone to hold your hand through the book writing process, join us for the Book Forge 2026, we won’t be releasing actual details for the 2026 curriculum until the end of the year, but you can register now to be one of the first to find out when we do open the doors for 2026.
Alternatively, you might just want some accountability with your writing. In that case, the Writer’s Forge is where you need to be. You can sign up until the end of September 2025 at half price, using the code: SEPT50. That’s just £15 a month for 30 hours of online writing accountability and a monthly Q&A session to help you with any writing challenges you are facing.
Whatever your current writing challenge, we are here to support you and want to reassure you that you are never alone.
For more nonfiction writing and wellbeing tips, check out our other blogs or sign up to our bi-monthly newsletter to get writing inspiration straight to your inbox.