I was wondering how much research you do for your books if you're writing fantasy. Have you ever considered it? If you do, what sort of topics do you cover? I know that a lot of "research" comes with world-building, but there are topics to explore in our world that pertain to fantasy. Such as: castles, medieval customs, weaponry, battle tactics, and a ton of other things you might not think of.

So do you do research for your books?

Hm... I didn't do much research for my fantasy trilogy the first time around, but this time, I do want to do research on weaponry, battle tactics, castles, etcetera. I want it to be fantasy, but to at least sound vaguely authentic (if such a thing is even possible with my writings).

I usually involve some historical aspects when I write fantasy, so I will research clothing styles, weaponry, armor style, manners/etiquette , ect. I feel it adds some realism to the fantasy world while still keeping it fantastical.

In short, yes, I do.

I probably don't do as much research as I should do, but I do some.

I didn't research when I first started, but now I research everything. For example, I have a story where everyone lives in a city mostly without sunlight and--since, even though it's fantasy, the people are still human--I wondered what problems might come up: health problems, genetic deformities, and etc. I was pleasantly surprised with all the information I learned.

I, too, read up on weaponry--to find the best weapons suited for each character and setting, and also the coolest. I do clothing and cloaks. I've researched mechanical animals and birds--things that really don't exist in reality in any great number.

Even in fantasy, and I'd go as far to say ESPECIALLY in fantasy, research is helpful in your writing. It makes it sound like you know what you are talking about (That you actually care about your story and how things work) and every fantasy/sci-fi needs an essence of reality or people aren't going to buy iinto it. Wether or not you research is totally up to you, but I have always found that it helps.

Also, in researching, I have found so many new bits of information which tie into the plot of the story and make it ever so much grander and more complicated and unexpected than I ever could have without it.

I like books of information, so a lot of what gets added to my writing is what I've already picked up here or there. Otherwise, I just do spot research where I might need to know how to grind seaweed into flour, or ancient techniques for glass making.

When I first started writing, I never used to research anything. Now, I make sure that I have the research done for whatever story I'm writing, although sometimes I'll wait until I get to the certain scene that needs research before doing it. I don't do as much with a pure fantasy story, because stuff done in that world is much different than here.