tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post7759120771587043352..comments2023-09-06T05:48:05.398-06:00Comments on Terry's Place: Real, Right, or Good?Terry Odellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-45603939039901952522009-12-24T05:19:39.286-07:002009-12-24T05:19:39.286-07:00Yes, this problem can make a writer pull his/her h...Yes, this problem can make a writer pull his/her hair out. I just chant "I can't please everyone all of the time." Happy Holidays!<br /><br />Huge prize: a cache of Time-Guardian treasure. To enter, join me at:<br /><br />http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skhyemoncrief/Skhyehttp://blog.skhyemoncrief.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-26847258750200246372009-12-23T12:08:52.306-07:002009-12-23T12:08:52.306-07:00Kathy, nobody said this was easy!
Galen, I'm...Kathy, nobody said this was easy! <br /><br />Galen, I'm sure your readers figured your character had a prototype if they noticed at all. When it comes to dates, I'm hard pressed to remember the year my kids were born, much less the introduction of gizmos.<br /><br />Sometimes those crit partners are golden, like the time one caught me giving a car a manual transmission when it didn't have that option. Whoda thunkit? I thought all cars came with that choice.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-46427433948579375812009-12-23T11:49:59.762-07:002009-12-23T11:49:59.762-07:00I try to make the incidents and detail in my story...I try to make the incidents and detail in my story as real as possible. Lots of research, even cataloging where I found the information…sorta term paper style, but not as elaborate. Even given that, there are probably errors. My hope is that most readers are reading for story and won’t notice, for example, that even though my protag is using gadget X in 1990, it wasn’t introduced until 1991. So far, I’ve not had a reader call me on a factual error…now that I’ve said that, the complaints will come pouring in. Ha!<br /><br />Best Regards, Galen. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.galenkindley.com/blog.htm" rel="nofollow">Imagineering Fiction Blog</a>joe doaks-Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05283066862112820202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-62327096920880943892009-12-23T11:48:11.179-07:002009-12-23T11:48:11.179-07:00I agree with Kat1reader that if a character can ex...I agree with Kat1reader that if a character can explain something to somebody not in the know it slides right in very nicely.<br /><br />In my current story I ran into a couple of snags. I'm rethinking and reworking it but then wondering if I'm over thinking it. Sigh! And I lucked into a good loop because I asked on another one about something and couldn't get an answer that gave enough informaiton. I tryt o research and ask to have my writing make sense. I think you're right it has to work it's way in and not reach out and slap us when we are reading.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05983209367295987926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-55507602719517857272009-12-23T11:03:23.408-07:002009-12-23T11:03:23.408-07:00Hi Nancy - I try to set my books in "close bu...Hi Nancy - I try to set my books in "close but not real" settings. Nowhere To Hide, my next romantic suspense is the only exception, and I did a lot of research to get it right, since it's set in a real place. But I still took some liberties for the sake of the story.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-62561636348204697092009-12-23T10:59:23.490-07:002009-12-23T10:59:23.490-07:00I made up my own itinerary for Killer Knots, my re...I made up my own itinerary for Killer Knots, my recent cruise ship mystery. It's a blend of Eastern and Western Caribbean routes which I have sailed. I researched the ports by taking detailed notes and photos during my visits. Thus I made the itinerary logical even if unreal. No one has chided me for it so hopefully readers are too engaged by the story to care about the variation.Nancy J. Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14228901230896110347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-34716879215280516562009-12-23T10:38:26.386-07:002009-12-23T10:38:26.386-07:00GD - Hubby watches CSI for the nifty photography (...GD - Hubby watches CSI for the nifty photography (and the improperly clad techs, of course). <br /><br />In a novel, it's tough to have a naive sidekick throughout every book. Good writers will work the info in so you don't notice you're being dumped on.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-59530572316566080312009-12-23T10:34:50.565-07:002009-12-23T10:34:50.565-07:00Oh, and I can't watch CSI because they spend s...Oh, and I can't watch CSI <i>because</i> they spend so much time explaining to each other what they're doing. If they're all pros, they should know what they're doing. ER could have run into the same problem, but skirted it by always having medical students around who didn't know what they were doing.GunDivahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02965363044411500380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-49301284320707437602009-12-23T10:33:24.031-07:002009-12-23T10:33:24.031-07:00Terry,
The radios don't work in the mountains,...Terry,<br />The radios don't work in the mountains, Carole's right. I've had to rely on radio communication and it's always iffy. Rather like the Keystone Kops, running from one place to another to find the sweet spot to send and receive from. I think that anyone who has lost cell reception while driving through the mountains, will believe your story. Though there are a few who believe that all things cop are magic.<br /><br />I love learning everything you post here - thank you so much!GunDivahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02965363044411500380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-78748690668749644952009-12-23T09:30:41.266-07:002009-12-23T09:30:41.266-07:00Jemi - thanks for stopping by. You're absolute...Jemi - thanks for stopping by. You're absolutely right about vocabulary dating your books as much as references to current movie stars, music, and television shows.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-83218174069067663862009-12-23T09:29:12.929-07:002009-12-23T09:29:12.929-07:00Terminology goes in and out of fashion just like c...Terminology goes in and out of fashion just like clothes! It's important to use the right words to avoid being dated :) Good info - thanks!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-24478819569364747772009-12-23T09:18:21.183-07:002009-12-23T09:18:21.183-07:00Carol, excellent advice (which I've frequently...Carol, excellent advice (which I've frequently mentioned: "If they buy the premise, they'll buy the bit" from Johnny Carson. What works in comedy works in fiction.<br /><br />I've been waiting to hear from my on-line groups about radios but might have to contact a force in that area as well. My local Florida contacts don't have that problem!Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-28125542986843661232009-12-23T09:15:22.875-07:002009-12-23T09:15:22.875-07:00Two things to share.
1. If you build in early eno...Two things to share.<br /><br />1. If you build in early enough about the budget problems, the readers will believe the lack of funds to purchase file folders that then snags the investigation. But you need to plant the seed from the beginning. Maybe they can't afford to change oil in the patrol cars, someone complains because their time is limited at the firing range because of the cost of bullets. Two cops talk that the chief should free up some money by taking a pay cut. That sort of thing.<br /><br />2. Call a small mountain town police force and ask about radios. Probably the person answering the phone will know. If not, he/she will know who you need to talk to. We lived in the mountains for a few years and often a few feet one way or another made all the difference in the world. Someone told me it was because the signals travel in a straight line and nothing in the mountains is straight. Technology has come a long way since then, though, so check.Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168273312704732896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-75537038791440954582009-12-23T08:58:00.093-07:002009-12-23T08:58:00.093-07:00Denise, I'm the ideal historical reader becaus...Denise, I'm the ideal historical reader because I know NOTHING. I accept whatever the author presents as true, and don't look stuff up. I grasp most of the basics from context and don't care beyond "that's an article of clothing" or "that's a vehicle"<br /><br />But I'd never use fiction as my own research. Should I (gasp) have to refer to a pelisse or phaeton, I'd look them up for myself.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-11437733537945996582009-12-23T08:50:49.070-07:002009-12-23T08:50:49.070-07:00As a writer of historicals, don't get me start...As a writer of historicals, don't get me started on this subject. I have incorporated stuff that I KNOW is wrong because as also a reader of historicals, I know many readers think of it as right. Usually, I try to just avoid it altogether, but sometimes I just can't. Case in point: reticule vs ridicule.Denise Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18134480528920517406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-61388865860558378872009-12-23T08:47:34.088-07:002009-12-23T08:47:34.088-07:00Amy - funny you should mention that. When we toure...Amy - funny you should mention that. When we toured the evidence facility as part of our Civilian Police Academy for the Sheriff's Office (in Florida) there was an entire wall of doors. If they couldn't get prints in the field (or blood evidence, toolmarks, or whatever), they did take the entire door. <br /><br />Again -- just because it's 'right' doesn't make it 'good' -- for all the reasons you mentioned.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-65985982319901961962009-12-23T08:39:39.600-07:002009-12-23T08:39:39.600-07:00I agree. I recently read a manuscript where the co...I agree. I recently read a manuscript where the cops took a door, leaving the house open to the world, just to lift fingerprints. The author had researched this and indicated a similar event in Florida. But it was so bizarre that I just couldn't accept it as a reader. I mean, just to get fingerprints they take the ENTIRE DOOR off the hinges and cart it away?<br /> Thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that you *can* include such bizarre--and real--things, but ONLY if you provide a compelling and believable justification. Readers will accept anything if you explain it. They won't accept the weird and wacky--even if real--if there is no compelling reason.<br /> Or at least that's my conclusion. :-)<br />--Amy<br />http://www.amycorwin.comAmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122506895024303225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-70324472375749799642009-12-23T08:08:44.943-07:002009-12-23T08:08:44.943-07:00Linda - thanks. Glad I've provided some inform...Linda - thanks. Glad I've provided some information worth thinking about. <br /><br />And you've hit it perfectly. <b>done right and done short</b>Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-12700008636605122692009-12-23T08:07:38.507-07:002009-12-23T08:07:38.507-07:00WT - when I wrote Finding Sarah, the scenes with S...WT - when I wrote Finding Sarah, the scenes with Sarah & Randy were very easy to use for exposition, because she knew nothing about cop stuff.<br /><br />But when Randy was talking with other cops, getting the information across was a lot tougher. Randy and his partner were equals.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-55929070998372810232009-12-23T08:04:57.208-07:002009-12-23T08:04:57.208-07:00Joe, Sam - I think the secret is learning how to ...Joe, Sam - I think the secret is learning how to distill what you've researched into what's crucial for the reader. It's a read-stopper when your writing comes across as, "I did all this research, and you're going to have to read about it!"<br /><br />I asked my son-in-law a question about revolvers. He wrote 2 pages. It ended up as 2 sentences. There were things I needed to understand, but my POV character would know it. A minimum of 'show' often works fine.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-38559323912102062352009-12-23T08:04:07.897-07:002009-12-23T08:04:07.897-07:00While CSI is definitely on the contrived side, I d...While CSI is definitely on the contrived side, I do think it's possible (and necessary) for writers to give a bit of background either through internal or external dialogue. Done right (and kept short!), it can feel quite natural and provide the reader with an aha moment rather than taking them out of the story. Great blog, Terry -- I love when writers pose questions that make the rest of us stop and think! <br /><br />Happy holidays!<br />LindaLinda Poitevinhttp://www.lindapoitevin.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-91618035787001405982009-12-23T08:01:27.860-07:002009-12-23T08:01:27.860-07:00I find all this totally fascinating! My crime stu...I find all this totally fascinating! My crime stuff so far has been from criminal or victim perspective, not anyone 'knowledgeable' but I love all these real life details you have picked up!<br /><br />I'm with Kat on having a person who might be asking (involved, but short on info--a volunteer or reporter maybe) there. it's one of the reasons I love 'Castle'--you have an author who has assumptions following a cop and arguing when it isn't like he thinks, but then she can explain. Works brilliantly in my opinion (then again I could watch Nathan Fillion fold socks and be happy)<br /><br />I also like the 'beat cop' talking to the experts angle (Silence of the Lambs comes to mind with Clarisse's science geed friends)Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-51804640706273541072009-12-23T07:52:21.809-07:002009-12-23T07:52:21.809-07:00"The smell of cordite" is one of my grea..."The smell of cordite" is one of my great pet peeves when reading crime fiction set any time after the 1940s. Even if someone in the 21st century happened to be using legacy ammo manufactured with cordite, the 21st century narrator wouldn't know what cordite smelled like. Another pet peeve is when writers use "gunsel" to mean "gunman," but I'll rein in that rant since it's off topic. <br /><br />For a short story I'm writing now, I'm tying myself in knots trying to decide how realistic the safe cracking scene needs to be. I've done a lot of research into how it really works. Turns out that cracking a safe is a fairly tedious process. I don't think any reader wants THAT much realism.Samhttp://www.salvatorefalco.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-14760885611924074802009-12-23T07:50:36.829-07:002009-12-23T07:50:36.829-07:00Terry,
When I was growing up, my grandmother insi...Terry,<br /><br />When I was growing up, my grandmother insisted that if I didn't know something, I should look it up. I became a research nut at a very early age, keeping books and magazines that answered my questions. I spend a lot of time today looking up anything of interest that I don't know about. As a results, I have a problem with writers who seem to not do any research -- there are also a few editors who are just as bad. Our stories should entertain, but they should also be accurate. A few months ago, an editor responded (and rejected) a manuscript of mine because 'a police officer would never do anything wrong, they take an oath.' A story worth reading involves details both great and small. CSI and a lot of other sources continue to spread misinformation. <br /><br />Joe PrentisJoe Prentishttp://www.joeprentis.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-25028537371639348952009-12-23T07:49:47.735-07:002009-12-23T07:49:47.735-07:00Cate - the editors I've dealt with always want...Cate - the editors I've dealt with always want to see things explained the first time they're used. However, as we've mentioned here, that can sound contrived. I don't mind figuring some things out on my own as a reader (and usually feel very smart when I do!).<br /><br />And sometimes we take for granted that people will know what we do. I've had editors ask me to clarify what a "Glock" was. It never occurred to me that I'd need to add context for that one.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.com