Today’s prompt is: Research resources and tools that can help you achieve your writing goals.
Introduction
I’m pretty old school. When it comes to reading and research. I will initially do a Google search but what I end up doing is finding a book to read in order to find what I’m looking for. Just because I’m old school that doesn’t mean I’m a dinosaur. Which means that if it’s an audiobook, ebook or a physical they all will serve my purposes.
If you’re over 35 you may feel the same way I do about books. Now, I appreciate blogs and social media but in my mind those are just the appetizers for the main course which is a book.
Books as Research Resources
The things I learned originally came from old fashioned, dusty old books. Hanging out in the library was my favorite thing to do as a kid and as an adult. I discovered many of my favorite authors just by perusing the shelves of books and picking out the ones that sparked my attention. Sitting in a corner near a window with a pile of books in front of me, man that was the best thing ever.
I would check out between 3 and 5 books at a time from the pile. They were the best of the ones I had taken the time to look through. Just because the cover looked good didn’t mean that the inside was full of good writing.
I would take notes from all of those resources in my trusty notebook. And then try to put all of that information together for whatever assignment I was working on. I did the same thing if it was for personal growth purposes.
It may be beneficial for you to treat your life like high school, always learning and experimenting. Not the bullies and unnecessary, boring homework, you can leave that where you left it.
Audiobooks
When I first found out about audiobooks, they were on cassette tapes. I played some of them so much that the tape came out so I had to take my pencil to turn the little wheel pulling the tape back in place. Boy was I glad when they went to CD. The only problem with them was that once they got scratched they were almost useless.
I loved audiobooks because I could read 2x -3x as much. I had to keep a journal of all the books I listened to because I would forget that I read one and end up checking it out again.
Thank God Audible was invented, they keep track of all of the books I’ve listened to for me. Plus I can take notes while I’m listening just like I did at school. Or like you may do at a writing conference.
Ebooks
Now ebooks were the last form I encountered and it is my second favorite next to audiobooks. Many of the books that I had to get rid of due to all of the space they took up in my tiny apartments, I ended up getting the ebook version.
All of my favorite online writers have ebooks. Well they have other formats available but with ebooks it’s instant gratification just like their blogs or social media posts. Sometimes I read them on my phone but I love reading them on my tablet. It reminds me of a real book except I can make the words bigger to accommodate my middle-aged eyes.
Integrating Research Tools into Writing Practice
Since my goal is to coach new and aspiring writers to face their fears and pursue their purpose, I have to do research. Not that I don’t already possess a crapload of knowledge but I do like to keep up with changes in the writing industry.
I may initially read something online or listen to a podcast or watch a YouTube video but even with all of those valuable resources, I gotta have a book, no matter the format.
I’m not saying that you have to write a book to be taken seriously as a writer, but that’s the goal that most writers have. They start off online to build an audience and get feedback so they can write the best book ever and have people waiting to buy it when it comes out.
Conclusion
Here are the key takeaways on why books may be your favorite research resources in this online age:
- Books, whether audiobooks, ebooks, or physical copies, serve as valuable research tools, providing in-depth knowledge and insights.
- Exploring libraries and discovering favorite authors through books can be a fulfilling and enriching experience.
- Audiobooks offer the advantage of increased reading speed and the convenience of note-taking, making them a valuable resource for learning.
- Ebooks provide instant access and portability, making them a convenient option for reading and research.
- Integrating various research tools, including books, into writing practice enhances knowledge and keeps writers informed about industry changes.
- While online resources like blogs, podcasts, and videos are valuable, books remain a foundational and essential resource for writers.
Books continue to play a significant role in expanding knowledge, fostering creativity, and enhancing writing skills in today’s digital age.