While writing a story, you want to make sure your facts are in order. Once you’ve plotted out the details, take the time and do the much needed research.
How do you know if you need a Sheriff at the scene of a crime, or the local police department? What happens when they get there? Who pronounces your character dead? Answers are easily found in three areas of research.
Interviews
You don’t have to be published in order to interview someone in a particular profession. Most law enforcement officials don’t mind helping out unpublished writers. Whatever profession you’re writing about, interview someone that holds the job. The most important thing to keep in mind is to always be professional. If you can, make an appointment to see them. Be appreciative of their time and thank them. Always ask if you can call on them again. Sometime during your writing you’ll always have one more question.
I needed to know the hierarchy chart of a small town police force. Since I live in a small town, I went to the city hall and walked into the local police department. The Chief of Police was the only one in at the time, but he was happy to help me out. I also have a friend who works for the Sheriff’s office collecting evidence from crime scenes. During a football game I asked him questions about his job. He likes talking about his job and offered a lot of good advice that was useful my story.
The key to interviews is to have confidence in your work, and people will respond.
Books / Articles / TV
The Howdunit Series, published by Writer’s Digest Books, provide a wealth of information with titles like Scene of the Crime, Police Procedural, Cause of Death, Amateur Detective and Murder One. You’ll find several true crime novels written by Anne Rule. There are a lot of on-line workshops by various writing organizations that feature professionals of forensics, the FBI, and law enforcement. TV shows like Investigative Reports, American Justice, and Forensic Files are very helpful from evidence collection to how forensics help nail a killer. You can catch these shows on the cable channels A&E, Discovery and Court TV.
The Internet is a great place for research but keep in mind the source. Not everything out there is true. Listed below are a couple of resourceful sites with good information and articles.
Hands On
The most inspiring research of all is the hands-on method. A road trip to a location you intend to write about. Write down the sounds, the smells and take pictures of things you need to describe later. Sign up for a kickboxing class because you need to describe the moves your heroine will make to defend herself. Or use it for your own personal workout.
Now that the majority of the research is done, restrain yourself from using everything you’ve learned. Research is not a way to show how much you know, but to help portray an entertaining story with accurate details.