I did the same thing. Those lit classes just teach you how to read it which can make you a better writer, recognizing what does and doesn’t work in a story. But you need those fundamentals of knowing how to write in order to really become a better writer.

And thanks for the amazing response, Rafael!

First, I’m always “researching” since I read constantly and file in the back of my head interesting factoids, phrases or ideas. Now, concerning the two types of research you mentioned I’ll admit that I am thorough when it comes to one and somewhat lazy on the other.

On “internal” research. At the start a every new project, I take my legal note pad and write down a list of parameters. If the project is a sci-fi story I write down things like technology level, spacial expanse, type of faster than light travel technology (if any), etc. Did the same thing with my NaNo(http://thewonderingswordsman.wordpress.com) which was an Urban Fantasy type deal. Now I tend to fudge character names for some reason, but I get downright specific on other areas such as types of demons. In other places, such as the nature of where these creatures come from, I fudged and called it “Beyond”, but made sure that my notes included the reason why this was left vague on purpose (goes to the theological/psychological/philosophical underpinnings of the novel).

As for “external” research, a simple rule of thumb is, the less you know, the more you need to research. A corollary to that rule would be the deeper you delve into a subject, the more you need to research. I mean if you are not trained as a medical examiner and your story revolves around the speed of human decay in a certain type of terrain, you do well to go beyond watching a few episodes of CSI. I use a handful of online research sources such as Wikipedia (general and specific Wikis like the HP and Star Wars Wikis; have three Wiki tabs active right now on my browser), Google Earth (maps are always good) and some others. If it is a subject I am familiar with, such as military matters, I only skim selected sources to verify the nomenclature of a given weapon system or other details. Even if the reader can’t tell the difference between an AIM-9X or a AGM-114, the fact that I know the difference lends a certain air of authority and confidence to my work. Makes it easier for the reader to accept what I’m writing.

Now while writing fiction one can make up places and characters and certainly play around with archetypes (http://thewonderingswordsman.wordpress.com/2008/12/13/playing-with-archetypes) but firm grasp of where these come from lends an air of credibility to your version of them. It also helps with consistency and internal logic. I really hate it when authors (and TV producers) thrown consistency out the window.

So I am all for research but I will say that I don’t go as far as say one J.K. Rowling when it comes to creating notes and backgrounds although I do like to dip my toes into the fountain of knowledge from time to time. Now back to Jubilees, Samyaza, Yomi and the AGM-114 Hellfire missile.