Research

I find it kinda funny that when high school had me write up research papers, It wouldn't take much actual research. A quick search through their online resources, flip through a book or two, and write up enough fluff to make it seem like I knew what I was saying. Find a news video clip that will make the same implication as I want, and they were amazed.
Yet when it comes to faniction?
I have spent nights up shuffling through false articles and idyllic views to find facts. Take FOE:ROR as an example. I have reread, replayed, and in some cases consulted with others to keep it compliant. I dusted off Fallout 3, looked at old research projects I did into ww2, especially the Pacific theater. Not to mention the Aleutian Island Campaign. All of this to understand how the Reclamation Campaign, and the American-Sino war in general would play out in fallout. Then I take all that and attempt to adapt it to Fallout Equestria which has different geography, magic, flying ponies and princesses.
Then I turn back to my fic thinking I'll write up the scene playing out before third eye, only to see scarily a hundred words and struggle to connect them. I know the endings, I know a dozen plot points, but when I try to fill in the blanks....