Comments on: Writing Procedurals: When You’re Not a Lawyer, Doctor or Cop

By: Alexsandra Thompson

Alexsandra Thompson — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 05:00:23 +0000

Loved this post! As a Canadian, I don't have access to FBI,DEA or ATF citizen academies and my local police department does not have a citizen's academy either. And here, at least, You have to live or work in the jurisdiction where you want to attend a citizen's academy. But The local police department has crime prevention and police week activities that I could attend. Same with Fire dept. I can build my network of experts that way and ask for referrals to other departments if needed.

By: Jerold Tabbott

Jerold Tabbott — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 20:14:52 +0000

Although writing SciFi, the plot of my second novel turned heavily on an FBI investigation into deepfakes and a terrorist plot. The FBI was excellent in advising me about the resources and workings of their investigations, plus how they liaise with other agencies and the state department. Separately, I found a wealth of information corresponding and talking with an overseas company deeply involved in developing software for police and the security industry to detect malicious deepfakes (a constant technical battle to keep up, get ahead of the bad guys). Doing research can seem intimidating, but it is richly rewarding.

By: Rebecca Forster

Rebecca Forster — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 16:00:29 +0000

In reply to denise. Thank you, Denise. Hope your writing is going well.

By: denise

denise — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 03:22:22 +0000

great advice

By: Rebecca Forster

Rebecca Forster — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:26:17 +0000

In reply to Lynette M Burrows. Lynette, I am intrigued. If not a procedural what's the genre. You need to be put on my go-to list. A nurse, like the court clerk, often has the low down on so many things a doctor or judge wouldn't have. Can't wait to hear about what you're working on.

By: Rebecca Forster

Rebecca Forster — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:24:27 +0000

In reply to Terry Odell. Oh how wonderful! Congrats. I miss speaking at conferences. Knock 'em dead.

By: Rebecca Forster

Rebecca Forster — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:23:38 +0000

In reply to Jenn Windrow. I agree. I think it starts with Google because it gives the author an appropriate foundation and they'll be able to ask the right questions. But a one on one gives you so much more. It gives you character traits, sights and sounds of working environments. Now I want to go visit the local cops :).

By: Rebecca Forster

Rebecca Forster — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:22:11 +0000

In reply to Diana Stout. That is awesome. The courts have evolved not only because of the law but because of society. How fun to be writing a historical procedural.

By: Rebecca Forster

Rebecca Forster — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:20:53 +0000

In reply to Jenn Windrow. absolutely correct. It's like writing historical fiction: research is imperative. Then, once you have the research you have to clothe yourself in the culture as you write.

By: Lynette M Burrows

Lynette M Burrows — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 21:55:34 +0000

Here! Here! As a former RN, I love this advice. I don't write procedurals but I attended my local police department's citizens' academy. It was fascinating. And I had the opportunity to talk with veterans who had served in clandestine roles. All research for an upcoming project, but also gave me a deep appreciation of how much the little and big screen warp our sense of "how things work." And after reading this blog post, I think I may need to do more research. To which I say, thanks Rebecca!