How do you go about researching for a novel?If you're interested in hearing about how I researched If I Die Before I Wake - and what my top tips are for researching - come along to a talk I am giving as part of Novel Nights in Bristol in July. Novel Nights holds monthly events in Bristol and Bath. At each event, three different writers are invited to read from their own work in an hour-long showcase, and then in the second half a published author or publishing professional gives a short talk and answers questions.Two years ago, I read an extract from If I Die Before I Wake at one of their events, and on July 25th I will be returning to talk about researching for fiction.

Write what you know - that’s a good starting point for most novelists, isn’t it? But what happens when you want to write about a life you have never experienced? Whether your characters are from another era, do a different job to you, or live in an entirely different culture, this is when research can make or break a novel.

I will talk about what I have learned in researching my own novels, give you my top tips on researching for fiction, and also discuss how to avoid letting research become the ultimate procrastination enabler, and stop you actually writing the novel (sound familiar?!).

The event will be at The Square Club in Clifton, Bristol, on July 25th from 7.30-9.30pm. Tickets are £8.50 and can be bought here.