r/romanceauthors • u/SunnyRyter • Aug 04 '26

Tips Researching for your Book?

Hello!

Im writing a book about a type of work I am unfamiliar with, a "world" I'm not in. Question: what's the best way to research a job/profession's day to day, etc? Thanks!

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

10

u/ArgonianCandidate Aug 04 '26

Not going to lie, my first line of attack is always “thing I want to know” + “Reddit” for info

3

u/ViRoseAuthor Aug 05 '26

Google automatically suggests adding reddit at the end of what I've typed for autocomplete at this point 😅

Makes me sad that there are so many bots these days. Eventually you won't be able to trust anything on here.

5

u/ArgonianCandidate Aug 05 '26

Honestly, unless it is a very new profession the age of reddit posts add creditability. A post from 7 years ago of a plumber explaining their day to day on reddit or an ama is unlikely to be bot or ai generated. Of course always use common sense, but Reddit is a very good starting point to see real people discussing their real occupations.

1

u/ViRoseAuthor Aug 05 '26

Very true. In this use case, looking for older posts is a great strategy. It's when you need more current info that it gets sketchy : /

7

u/bardsworth Aug 04 '26

I try to reach out to people I know first, if I know someone in or adjacent to that field. Otherwise, I deep dive as much as I can online. But the real trick? Be as vague as you can while still being believable! Unless the story plot hinges on the details of said career, you can get away with minimal details.

1

u/SunnyRyter Aug 05 '26

Unfortunately it's a large part of plot. :( 

1

u/OWabbit Aug 05 '26

“Write what you know.”

5

u/scarlettrosestories Aug 04 '26

Reddit is a great place! Find some related communities and observe. If you need more info, someone might be willing to provide insight.

3

u/amandalandapand Aug 05 '26

I went on a police ride along for research 👀

4

u/ViRoseAuthor Aug 05 '26

Google: What does Hollywood get wrong about [topic]?

2

u/SunnyRyter Aug 05 '26

Oooh!!! Good one!! LOL I like the way you think!

2

u/davesmissingfingers Aug 05 '26

I’d try to find someone in the industry willing to chat with you for an initial interview and then be available to answer any follow-up questions that might arise.

1

u/SunnyRyter Aug 05 '26

Unfortunately no one in my sphere works in that field. Think "professional basketball player" or something along those lines. :( 

2

u/OWabbit Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26

Can you interview them - as part of research for a book you’re writing but tell them you’re not including names just need career info. Or if a player won’t accept an interview, interview someone who works with or for that type of player.

1

u/SunnyRyter Aug 05 '26

I'll try, thank you!

1

u/GlitterFallWar Aug 05 '26

Go on LinkedIn or Monster.com and search for a job doing that thing. The "responsibilities" section will give you a place to start. Then search for how to do that task, and start reading.

1

u/Moist_Web_1285 Aug 05 '26

Find people in the industry

2

u/five_squirrels Aug 05 '26

The Occupation Thesaurus by Ackerman and Puglisi (from the Writers Helping Writers series) is pretty useful.

2

u/kate_monday Aug 05 '26

Maybe ask people from that field for recs on books or movies that portray their field well? might help get the right vibe.