Blaisin Trails

Finding the Truth Behind Great Fantasy

When I first started writing my young adult supernatural novel, I assumed most of my time would be spent inventing monsters and mysterious forests. Instead, I found myself reading Appalachian folklore, studying grief psychology, listening to interviews with people who experienced the supernatural, and researching biblical themes of pride and redemption. The more I researched, the more believable my fictional work became.

Whether you’re writing epic fantasy, supernatural suspense, horror, or historical fantasy, the same research principles apply. The good news is that you don’t need to become an expert on everything; you simply need to learn enough to make your work authentic. Here are a few lessons I wish I’d known when I started.

Start with Your Story, Not Google

One of the biggest mistakes new writers make is researching everything before they know what story they’re telling.

Instead, ask yourself questions like:

For example, my novel takes place in Appalachia. Once I knew that, my research naturally focused on Appalachian folklore, regional dialects, family traditions, mountain culture, and local legends rather than trying to learn everything about the region and its surrounding areas.

Research becomes much easier when every source answers a specific question. If you ever find yourself reading for hours without writing a single sentence, you’ve probably wandered outside your research goals.

Where Should You Look?

Google is a starting point—not the finish line.

Some of the most valuable sources I found included:

• University libraries and academic databases
• Local historical societies
• State encyclopedias
• Museums
• Oral histories
• Podcasts featuring experts and/or experiences
• Interviews with people who live/d in the area you’re writing about
• Books written by historians and folklorists.

As a Liberty student, I have found the Jerry Falwell Library databases to be incredibly helpful. JSTOR, ProQuest, and EBSCO often contain peer-reviewed articles that are far more reliable than random websites.

Don’t overlook nonfiction books written for general readers, either. Many contain fascinating details that never appear in academic articles.

Is This Source Actually Trustworthy?

Not every source deserves a place in your research notebook.

I ask myself two questions:

Is it credible?

Look for:

• Recognized experts
• Universities
• Museums
• Government organizations
• Established publishers
• Authors with experience in the field

Be cautious with anonymous blogs or social media posts (think Reddit) unless they’re firsthand accounts you’re intentionally using.

Is it useful for my story?

Even excellent sources aren’t always helpful. For example, an academic article about Appalachian economics might be completely accurate, but if I’m writing about folk beliefs and mountain superstitions, it probably isn’t the best use of my time. Choose sources that move your story forward.

Let Research Support the Story

One of the hardest lessons I learned is that readers don’t want to see everything you’ve researched. They only need the details that make the world believable.

Instead of explaining three pages of Appalachian folklore, I can show a grandmother hanging herbs over a doorway or refusing to whistle after dark. Small details often create stronger immersion than long explanations.

Research should feel invisible.

If readers notice how much research you did, you’ve probably included too much. As for giving credit, creative writing usually doesn’t use in-text citations. Instead, many authors:

• Thank experts in the acknowledgements
• Include an author’s note
• recommend books that inspired the work
• distinguish clearly between historical fact and fictional invention

Those small gestures show respect for the people and traditions that informed the story.

Want to Keep Learning?

Here are a few resources I’d recommend to any new creative writer:

Research isn’t the enemy of creativity. In fact, it’s one of its greatest allies. The more you understand the people, places, history, and emotions behind your story, the more freedom you’ll have to create something readers believe. Fantasy may be imaginary, but the best fantasy is always grounded in something true.

Research won’t limit your imagination. It will give it roots, so your readers can believe every impossible thing you ask them to imagine.