Research Tools:
By Catherine Tudor

If you are a writer embarking on a research project, the Web provides many useful tools in the form of free services, freeware and shareware, encyclopedias, maps, translators that can decipher entire Web pages into various languages as well as sites that offer mailing lists and classes taught by specialists in the research field. Start with a Plan Due to the unlimited amount of resources on the Web, it is easy to surf into oblivion, and before you realize it, hours have passed and it is already time to log off. That's why it's usually best to create a plan whenever you begin a research project, then set a schedule and stick to it. One way to brainstorm what information you will need is to create a Mind Map® of your subjects and work from there. Mind mapping software is available for a price: download a trial version of MindMapper ®. Never heard of Mind Maps? Read an informative article, written by Dennis Kennedy, on how to organize your ideas using this technique. If you are more comfortable with traditional outlines, use your word processor, or try a notecard system for outlining your project, screenplay, or book. I happen to love Writer's Blocks. I am also fond of organizing my desktop with the free MyCorkboard screensaver. It provides clocks, themes, calendars, to do lists, and backgrounds to inspire you. It even includes an alarm that will notify you when you need to take a break. Whatever method you choose to jumpstart the creative process, it is important to work with outlines during research or at the very least keep a to do list to prevent you from getting lost inside the maize that is the Web. Software The wonderful thing about software you  find on the Web, is that most of these companies allow you to try before you buy by downloading an evaluation copy. Since I used to test software during my job as a content editor, I have become a bit of a software junkie. I try many different programs that may help me in my writing so I can report back at this site. One of my favorite note-keeping programs is Golden Section Notes which holds both graphical and textual information including hyperlinks in a tree structure. Be sure to read the help file to understand all the capabilities this freeware has to offer. If you are willing to spend more money, you may prefer the more elaborate and efficient InfoTree 32. InfoTree takes much longer to learn than Golden Section Notes, but it has many powerful features such as keyword searches. I have both programs. I use Golden Section Notes on a daily basis and InfoTree for more extensive research projects. Copernic Agent Basic is a good free tool that scours multiple search engines at once and allows you to save and sort searches. The freeware product BiblioExpress collects literature references, and explores bibliographic resources on the Internet. BiblioExpress also formats records in ACS, APA, and MLA styles. Whatever software you choose to try, remember to always virus check anything you download from the Web, no matter how reputable the site, and be sure your virus program and virus definition files are kept up to date. I use Norton Antivirus. It runs in the background and scans my emails as well as my hard drive and automatically updates whenever I'm connected to the Web. What works on my computer may not work on yours, however. What works for me as a writer, may prove to be a nightmare for you. So, be sure to read the requirements of any software you decide to try. Configuration problems can occur if you install a file that is not designed to work with your Operating System. Most sites have help files, FAQs, tech support or contact information. Don't be afraid to ask questions before you download a new product to try. Read testimonials and more reviews at other sites such as at Epinions.com or at ZDNet.com. Services There are so many dictionaries, article searches, and specialized search engines, I find it is best to rely on a site that organizes multiple references in one place rather than trying to tackle each one. Try RefDesk, Library Spot, and InfoPlease. Subscription services to electronic libraries such as Questia or Elibrary can also save legwork and time. I do have a couple of other favorite haunts: Miriam Webster Dictionary, ARTFL Project: ROGETS Thesaurus Search Form and Mapquest. Each site is worth a bookmark. Need to know how something is done? Explore Ehow.com. I also use a free bookmark service that enables me to keep hundreds of links organized on the Web. BackFlip is my favorite tool. You can see my work in progress for writing sites. If you travel or use a laptop, you will always have access to your links when they are stored online. Just be sure you back up any important links in case the site you select ever goes down. Most reliable bookmark services provide an export and import feature. Classes and Articles Columnist Alison Burke and author Charlotte Boyett-Compo have written articles about research and writing at this site. If you write screenplays, read an article about the importance of research in the film industry written by Hollywood talent scout and founder of WriteMovies, Alex Ross. Soon's Historical Fiction Site contains a large selection of links for the researcher of historical fiction. The guides at About.com are always a good starting point for many topics and the guides behind the site are often available to answer questions in chat sessions or by email. Bibliographies are listed in college course syllabi that are sometimes found out here. Expect to spend a long time at The Voice of the Shuttle, a large area to look for educational links pertaining to the humanities. Run by the U.California, Santa Barbara, English Department, the Voice of the Shuttle is one of the oldest and best research sites. TV and Cable sites continually announce scheduled programs related to various topics as well as provide rich and informative articles, workshops, videos, and discussion groups. Try the History Channel, Biography, and any of the many beautifully designed sites under PBS. For information about classic movies, Turner Classic Movies is one my favorite sites, and in my opinion, there is no better resource for film information than at IMDB (the Internet Movie Database). Don't forget catalogs and book stores. You can discover a lot of information about books and their authors and related titles at Barnes and Noble, or peruse our bookstore's links at this site. Networking Many writers believe meeting other researchers, or conducting interviews with experts or other writers is essential in unearthing unique details. Look for mailing lists, communities and support groups, librarians who answer questions by email or contact forms. Libweb is a good resource for library information. Also consider one of the many Ask an Expert sites as listed on the CIESE Educational Links page. Also try to email webmasters. Not all are experts, so be sure to read their credentials. Visit genealogy sites. They provide information pertaining to county and family histories. Or find a site where an expert is holding a chat session pertaining to your interest and ask questions or schedule a private meeting if they are willing to meet you at another time. If you long to network in person, peruse the ShawGuides list of Writer's Conferences (one of many types of conferences at the site) to see if there might be a workshop you would like to attend. Beware that some information you find on the Web may be inaccurate. Look for primary resources (a free pdf file on how to conduct library research using primary resources is available at the UC Berkeley Library site. If you are reading articles, determine the author's expertise, and always double check facts. And though I love computers, the Web, and all they have to offer, experience has taught me to still rely on my notebooks and make backups as often as I can. I print out anything I think I may need for each novel I am writing and organize my notes with dividers--just in case. If I have no time to print the information, I back up my notes and links on a CD RW or floppy disc . Information can be lost storing information on the Internet as easily as it can be lost on your hard drive. When you are dealing with such rapidly changing technology, there are no guarantees. As you can see, if you click on any of the links mentioned in this article it's easy to get lost in a hurry out here. The Web can serve as a jumping-off point, lead to new ideas and potential contacts, but it's important to stay organized or you will deprive yourself of hours that you could have spent writing. With the "try before you buy" philosophy of shareware, or by downloading freeware you may also find the perfect tool that will assist you in the organizational process. Copyright © by Catherine Tudor, 2003. Catherine Tudor (formerly C. T. Atherton) founded One Woman's Writing Retreat in 1996 in order to create a network for writers at all stages in their careers. Read more about her here.