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Why research if you're writing fiction? You're making it all up anyway, right?

Sure. But even if it's made up, the human brain needs to have some portions seated in fact. It has to be convincing, believable. And this doesn't change if you're writing fantasy or science fiction.

When Stephenie Meyer was writing Twilight she had no idea where The Cullens and Bella Swan would land until she hopped onto Google and queried for the part of the U.S. that had the most cloud cover annually.

That's when she found Forks, Washington. But had she actually visited, she might have discovered that the jaunt into Port Angeles or Seattle was much, much longer than what she wrote. While it didn't exactly detract from the story, many critics, including Stephen King, found that Meyer's writing wasn't very good. Perhaps what was lacking was more of a tangible, less of the made up stuff and more of the meat and potatoes - not necessarily in the text, but at least under the writer's belt, allowing for a more textural, three-dimensional element to be added in and make the story enchanting. Believable. For some writers, having a firm grasp on the surroundings, the characters, the setting - even if the exact location and such are made up, makes the story flow much easier. Next month historical romance-suspense author, Tasha Alexander, will share how she goes about researching her novels and to what extent the information she comes upon is used in the actual stories.

So how do you go about researching various elements of your novel? Here are some ways that extend beyond the realm of Google and search engines:

• Download and install Google earth. This will help give you a more three dimensional look at where you are writing about.
• Create your own Google account (or start with a free Google mail account, then - while signed into your account - go to Google maps, click on "My Maps" and create your own map, including streets, buildings (via icons) and more to help you virtually walk and drive your fictitious town
• Writing a mystery? Visit Crime Magazine Online and read through the many true crime stories there to give you some ideas. Just remember, sometimes fact is stranger than fiction so don't be surprised if your beta group pulls back and says "impossible!".
• Peruse travel blogs, such as TripAdvisor. There you can read both visitors and residents of various locations accounts of the area. You can also ask questions and get feedback from folks, too.
• Visit stores that might sell or provide the services your characters would be using. Does a character shoot a gun? Visit the local shooting range and speak to the Range Master. Often times you will be allowed to actually handle the guns to get a feel for the weight. Need to know how thick a bundle of hundreds is? Talk to a banker or, better yet, visit your local branch instead of stopping off at the ATM and ask a teller or one of the managers.
• Writing science fiction? Here's a great place to get started with your research: Science Fiction Research Association and here's another resource: Texas A&M University Library's Science Fiction and Fantasy Research Database
• Subscribe to and peruse the Internet Hoax database at Snopes or Truth or Fiction where you can read about hoaxes that, interestingly enough, quite a number of people fall prey to - how's that for making convincing fiction?
• Take a gander at the pictures at Flickr or any other online photo storage site. You will be able to get a wealth of ideas and some heady research under your wings by looking at other people's photos.
• Interview people - see the editorial how-to article that delves into ways one writer has been able to beef up her knowledge.