If you grew up in the 80s, you might recall the film Funny Farm with Chevy Chase. A former news reporter leaves the big city to write the “great” crime novel about four poker buddies robbing a bank. It sounds like a good plot, right? If you haven’t seen the movie, I won’t spoil the ending. Rest assured, Chevy’s character learns some hard lessons. Lessons many writers have learned at the cost of a failed plot lost readers, or even worse, rejected publication.
Despite the potential pitfalls, you decide you want to write crime novels. You’ve started a story with a fantastic plot, wonderfully developed characters, and intense action. As you read over your work, you discover something is missing. Frustrated, you ask a friend, your editor, or someone from your writer’s group to read over the story. Almost to a person, they ask about the investigation of the crime.
You’ve written about the crime occurring but don’t provide insight into how the crime is solved. You’ve left out the technical details. The ah-ha moments Sir Author Conan Doyle was so adept at weaving into his stories. But your not a cop and have never worked a criminal investigation, so where do you get your information?
Reading a book is excellent, but I suggest finding a friend!
I have almost eighteen years of law enforcement experience that I draw upon when writing my novels. Most authors don’t have a similar background. So how do you add the realism your readers seek. Several excellent books by former investigators like Vernon J. Geberth, Christine Hess Orthmann and Henry Lim Cho, and Steven G. Brandl provide wonderful insights on criminal investigations.
But reading isn’t the same as doing?
If you’ve never worked a criminal investigation, there is no substitute for experience. Find a friend. Contact your local police department or the department in the area where the crime novel is situated. You’ll be surprised how many departments are willing to talk to writers and help with ideas on tools, techniques, and procedures. In my current novel, I needed some information from an organization in Richmond, Virginia. I reached out, and they were terrific in helping me understand their mission, structure, membership processes, and history. Just remember to mention them in the acknowledgment section of your novel.
Happy sleuthing!!