Posted by Your job is to be a storyteller, not to show off your research.
Deborah Heiligman, SCBWI NonFiction Workshop 2020
This quote by Deborah Heiligman speaks from the SCBWI Nonfiction workshop speaks volumes. Research may be fun way to add details to a story. It may be an opportunity to share what you learned. Or it may be a way to highlight lesser known people, places, or events. But like Heiligman says, facts do not make a story.
After writing my a few of own NF drafts and critiquing other NF stories, I can see how adding facts can be compelling. When doing my own research, all the shiny interesting tidbits catch my eye. However, the key to a strong story is only tell what is needed and figuring out how the facts help you tell the story you intend to.
Sometimes that means take deep breath and say goodbye to your darlings as you click click delete.