Things I Need to Note

[lagilman]

Dear Would-Be Novelists:

I love you, I love your enthusiasm and your energy and your joy in writing. I can overlook the small failures of POV and plot-logic because, hey, we all have pages like that. Nothing a little polish won't fix.

But, seriously? If you're going to try and write a mystery that involves cops? You really, really need to get at least a basic idea of investigative protocol. Like, y'knowm interview tactics, and evidence handling, and how many cases a cop in a large city might be handling at any given time, that sort of thing.

Research. Really. It's important.

Love,

Your Mentor

---------------

Long day not over yet, but progress has been made. Almost done with the client work -- tomorrow should do it. Part 1 of V2 is off to Madame Agent. Part 2 is almost done with revisions. We've almost decided on a title (how does The Weight of Stone grab folks?) Almost ready to start thinking about leaving for California next week. Almost, almost... Pls see icon.

Also:
Note to self: If you take the omeprazole, Life is Good. Please to be remembering that?
Note to self 2: Your body is actually quite smart. When it tells you it wants Chinese food, listen. Brain works better after ginger-orange chicken and fried rice.

Comments

[arouraleona.livejournal.com]

Working on a police mystery book for someone?

[lagilman]

I've had a number of clients this year who hadn't (apparently) thought that researching the Very Plot-Important Career of a major character was needful. I'd like to nip that in the bud for people going forward.

[arouraleona.livejournal.com]

It is very good advice! Though, you would think people would come up with it on their own. Hard to write things you don't understand, at least that was my experience from college. BSing only got you so far, and so far wasn't usually a great grade.

[reddiana.livejournal.com]

YES YES! Oh dearest gods of all, YES! Plllleeeeeeaaassseee research police procedures... and by "research" I don't mean "watch a bunch of CSI:Miami."

[lagilman]

What? But isn't all that stuff like, totally accurate?

*snickers*

When I was putting togethr the PSI series, I did my research on actual forensic investigations -- and then was able to toss a bunch of it out the plot-window, because my world was different. But I built on the established basics.

It makes for a better story, and it makes for easier worldbuilding. Truly: having established structures someone else put together? Like buying a bakery's really good cupcakes, then putting your own awesome frosting on top.

Mmm. Cupcakes.

[thatstom.livejournal.com]

plot schmlot
you start with a murder investigation it turns into a train wreck
but that's OK cops can be at train wrecks right?
I can't find the snark key.

They get the whole write with your heart part,
but they don't get the edit with your head part.

Just to clarify editing with your head IS NOT
banging head on keyboard till an idea shows up.

I really enjoyed the retriever novels, though I am not YA

[lagilman]

I really enjoyed the retriever novels, though I am not YA

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed them, but... what made you think those books were YA? *is curious*

reason I mistakenly thought YA

[thatstom.livejournal.com]

I read this and in my head it said Retrievers YA
My mistake.Mia culpa ,Mia minima culpa.

She is the author of the Cosa Nostradamus books for Luna (the “Retrievers” and “Paranormal Scene Investigations” series), a YA trilogy for HarperCollins,

the important part is I read the books, really I still have them,
I will loan dvd's and games but not my books.
keep up the fun work.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I would like to engrave that advice where every mystery writer can see it. In some cases, on their bodies.

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

What? You're supposed to research this stuff?

Oh, come on... It's fantasy, right?

(Oh, I'm in such trouble for that one...)

[lagilman]

Here's a stick. Beat yourself with it.

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

If it's a clue stick, I know a couple of people I could use it on.

Seriously, though, just how prevalent is the lack of research problem? To me, it makes just perfect sense that if you're going to do something, you'd better damn well have researched what it is you're doing. You can't write about a real city without having done some research on it; even a story set in a mythical city ought to have some real world grounding to its design, otherwise people will have serious trouble with it.

[mikaela-l.livejournal.com]

I have an Urban fantasy idea that involves an ex-Magi CIS agent that helps the sheriff office. I am feeling slightly panicked about the fact that there is so much I have to get right. The cops are one vital part. Very vital. I am not starting the first draft until I have done research.

[lagilman]

Check the Internet -- there are a lot of former cops/investigators/etc who have stated either blogs or websites to talk about what writers need to know. And ask around -- there are a number *coughpointscoughs* of former and present law enforcement types hanging around Livejournal...

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

If you get to know the people around your neighborhood, you might be surprised to find out who is a cop or ex-cop. Every neighborhood I've ever lived in there's always been at least one cop and one firefighter living there.