Making the Best of Chance Encounters
Terry Odell
Writing often means dealing with things you don’t know much about. Or anything about. Now, while I write fiction, which means I get to make stuff up, I strive to have everything in the realm of plausibility. The line between “that could never happen” and “that might happen.”
Searching the interwebs can help, but talking to real people can get you tidbits that make for a more interesting scene.
Where do you find these people? Just about anywhere, it turns out.
Online, perhaps. I was following a blog written by an army guy. I left the occasional comment, and I felt comfortable approaching him electronically with questions about terminology, and he was happy to answer, even calling me on the phone (with a very strange Caller ID number that had the Hubster wondering what was going on) to go into more detail.
Another writing acquaintance’s husband was also military, and has been willing to answer questions and make suggestion to add authenticity to my scenes.
I was participating in a Civilian Police Academy in Orlando, and after a talk by a homicide detective, I approached and asked if I could get in touch if I had questions. He said it would be fine, so I gave him a call and offered to buy him a cup of coffee. He asked if there was an Ale House near me, and if he could invite some friends. Best money I ever spent, and one of those friends (now retired) is still my go-to guy for cop stuff.
Likewise the SWAT commander who taught a workout class at the Y I belonged to. I made my “cup of coffee” suggestion, and we met at a local Starbucks (where he drank tea—not what you’d expect from a SWAT guy, but it adds character depth). Since I was writing a book set in Orlando at the time, I needed details, so I called and asked him what color the carpet and walls were in the Orlando Police Department Headquarters. Despite working there, he was clueless, but he invited me down for a tour. I was there in under half an hour. Got some great details.
I belong to an online group called Crimescenewriters, and it’s full of people in law enforcement-related fields. They’re always happy to share their expertise, and I’ve filled in many a gap with their answers. People you know, either in person or virtually. One TKZ contributor gave me plenty of information when I needed to blow something up. I’ve picked the brains of my medical professions when in their offices for appointments.
But sometimes, it’s a personal chance encounter that gives the information I need. Years ago, while visiting our son in Colorado Springs, well before we moved to Colorado, I was seated next to a couple of military guys. Given how many military facilities are in Colorado, it’s likely you’ll find several on most flights.
I am not a military person. Make Love, not War was the slogan circulating when I was in college. But, since I was writing one of my early Blackthorne, Inc. novels about a covert ops team, I needed some information about where my characters might be hiding out. The man sitting next to me went on to explain about a vast number of tunnels. Were they exactly where my scenario was taking place? Not quite, but close enough to feel comfortable writing a “that might happen” scene.
On another flight, I noticed the man next to me was reading a airplane pilot-related magazine. I asked if he was a pilot, and he said he was. I proceeded to give him a scenario and he filled in details. (Note: if you want “Bad Stuff” to happen on a flight, it’s best not to ask any of the crew.) On yet another flight, I was marking up my manuscript with my trusty red pen, and the man sitting next to me, in a pilot’s uniform, asked if I was an author. He started that conversation, but he gave me plenty of information for the book I was working on at the time. Turned out he wasn’t just flying commercial jets, but he also had helicopter experience. More fodder.
Just last week, I was wandering the aisles of Walmart, and there was a group of firefighters shopping throughout the store. One man’s shirt said Paramedic, so I stopped and asked him if he had a moment to answer some questions. He said, “of course” and I fleshed out a troublesome scene I’d been writing. He gave me his phone number and told me to get in touch if I had more questions. I did, so we had a few text exchanges, and I think I’ve fixed that scene. Even named a character after him, with his permission, of course.)
One caveat. With any research, you should verify the information. Often, sources, be they human or cyber bots, don’t agree. For example one of my medical people told me the paramedics would probably administer a specific drug. When I asked my paramedic, he said they used to, but it’s no longer approved, and their list of “dos and donts” is updated annually.
But, that’s where the “I get to make stuff up” comes into play.
And, I’ll add that for me the hardest part of research is knowing what you don’t know. I can look up what constellations will be visible at a certain date and time at a specific locations because I know I don’t know that. But I never thought to look up whether a make and model of car came with a manual transmission option, because I thought all cars gave buyers that choice. Fortunately, one of my early readers pointed it out before it was published.
OK, TKZers, Where do you get your information when you’re stepping into waters uncharted for you. Anything you thought you knew, but turned out you were wrong?
TKZ:
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When breaking family ties is the only option.
Madison Westfield has information that could short-circuit her politician father’s campaign for governor. But he’s family. Although he was a father more in word than deed, she changes her identity and leaves the country rather than blow the whistle.
Blackthorne, Inc. taps Security and Investigations staffer, Logan Bolt, to track down Madison Westfield. When he finds her in the Faroe Islands, her story doesn’t match the one her father told Blackthorne. The investigation assignment quickly switches to personal protection for Madison.
Soon, they’re involved with a drug ring and a kidnapping attempt. Will working together put them in more danger? Can a budding relationship survive the dangers they encounter?
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Terry Odell is an award-winning author of Mystery and Romantic Suspense, although she prefers to think of them all as “Mysteries with Relationships.”