1.
Gather
as much primary information as is humanly possible about the topic you are
researching.
2.
Form
a hypothesis, if you must. It is best to let the evidence guide you. Do not
guide the evidence to prove your hypothesis.
3.
Do
not write to deliberately revise history. Be honest and have the courage to
discover the history rather than rewrite it.
4.
Learn
to write well. Develop your own style but make sure is reads well. Making it
too scholarly and erudite will turn off the general public, if they are the
intended audience.
5.
Footnote!
Footnote! Footnote!
6.
Explain
the logic behind your conclusions in the footnotes as you believe they are
needed.
7.
Historians
are nitpickers and territorial, I included. Anyone who has invested time in their
work will try to defend it, some more tenaciously than others.
8.
Accept
criticism, if it is well founded.
9.
Re-study
the contested topic and be willing to concede error you made an honest mistake
or if you did sloppy research.
10.
There
is nothing wrong with another author coming to a different conclusion based
upon newly revealed sources. It in no way is a negative reflection upon your
scholarship.
11.
Never!
Never! Never! Attack another author’s personal integrity or their motives for
writing what they did. They might be the north end of a southbound mule but do
not make yourself one by being personally vindictive.
12.
Be
professional. Put your findings in writing by explaining how you researched
your topic and came to your conclusions.
13.
Generally,
it is best not to get in petty disputes unless someone brings it up to you.
Parry the differing conclusion with evidence and logic not with vitriol and
pettiness.
14.
Use
common sense. Think. Cause and effect. People have not intrinsically changed at
all throughout time.
15.
With
military history read Erich Remarque, Bill Mauldin, John Hersey, Ernie Pyle,
John Keegan and as many letters, diaries, reminiscences, and memoirs as you can
get your hands upon, searching for their common ties.
16.
Study
psychology to understand how people think.
17.
Study
to teach yourself and write to enlighten and educate.
18.
Send
your work to a reputable publisher.
19.
Listen
to your editors and stand your ground on matters that you deem important. I do
not recommend self-publishing. You will make a lot of mistakes which good
editors will catch because in your own eyes, your writing is perfect.
20.
Above
all, let your passion for the subject and your enthusiasm pour onto the pages
you write.
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