The WDC NanoLounge

Like Joy, I often stop to research during NaNo. But before I do so, I ask myself this question:

Can I write without knowing x-y-z, or does its importance to my continued writing outweigh the time spent researching?

For me, this means that I spend time researching only really small and really big things, usually. If it is something I can learn just by googling it or spending a few minutes browsing the web, I do it — no need to waste time wondering to myself about what that detail should be when I can nearly instantaneously find out the answer. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if something is so big I can't move forward without it, I take the time to figure it out. One of my suggestions would be posting in one of the NaNo forums, called Reference Desk. I did that just recently because I came across something that I didn't know, but something that would inform nearly every action one of my characters took in a chapter, and I didn't think I could write the chapter without having a bare-bones idea of what I needed to know.

When November is over, I will do more thorough research, but for now, having a cursory understanding was enough to push forward. I can fill in smaller details later.

I hope this helps! It really comes down to what is most productive and comfortable for you.

Lorien