Write out your problems

In the preface of "The Man Who Wanted Seven Wives," the author reiterates something I have always found to be true when she says, ". . . the best way to learn about something is to write about it."

I've run into this truism countless times. When you write something out, you find yourself really checking facts and choosing words that correctly convey a situation, and in doing so, find holes in your thinking that need to be filled and additional research that needs to be done.

Try it with one of your brick wall stories. Whether it's a biographical sketch or a story outline, try to incorporate as much as you know and fill in gaps wherever possible with more research. As you work on the sketch, you'll find pieces falling into place and new avenues of research opening up.