Research

The "R" word can be quite a daunting thought for authors, but it is absolutely essential. Don't expect your editor to catch everything. Be prepared to answer questions about these research items if asked.

I have recently been editing a spate of books that demanded a great deal of research questions. These questions ranged from language and wording that may not have been appropriate for the historical time to differences in spelling and phrasing between the American and English language.

It may be obvious that your hero's career needs to be researched or that you may want to incorporate vampire lore into your current WIP, but I want to focus on historical novels.

A few years ago, I read a time travel set in the Colonial era. The heroine was a modern woman and the hero was an Indian from a tribe in New York. She injures herself and he produces a Band Aid. Not a bandage, not a wrap--a Band Aid! In Colonial New York.

I threw the book aside and never read anything else from this author.

When I am editing a historical, I am very aware of this fact and try my hardest to keep my authors from any gaffes like this one. My authors would probably tell you that they're shocked when I ask for clarification on a word or an item.I have learned the most fascinating trivia from authors who have refuted a point of contention.
Drudgery has become an interesting intellectual exercise.

Be aware of your research at all times and be prepared to back it up to your editor.