If you’re writing a novel and want to get your facts straight, you need to research what you don’t know. I wrote a suspense manuscript several years ago where the heroine was a homicide detective.
The only problem was, I didn’t know anything about detective work other than what I’d seen on shows. Since I was pretty sure cases weren’t solved in an hour with perfect makeup and hair, I knew I needed to research.
I asked other writers in my writing group for research tips and repeatedly Lee Lofland’s book ‘Police Procedure & Investigation’ was mentioned.
So I checked out his website The Graveyard Shift and there was a ton of helpful information. I bought his book and it was one of the best investments I made.
But I must warn you. He has a chapter in there where a portion deals with autopsies. DO NOT read this chapter while you’re eating noodles. ‘Nuff said.
I used this research to help me write the portion in my manuscript dealing with an autopsy. When I submitted the chapter to my critique group, a retired homicide detective said he could tell I’d done my homework.
This book was such a help, I bought a second copy to give away. If you’d like to be entered into the give away, just leave a comment below. For those of you who want to go ahead and buy it, here’s the Amazon link.
Yes please!
Thanks for commenting!
Thanks for sharing this. I like all things suspense and procedure related but sometimes find it too dense to understand. My best experience was actually getting a two hour interview with a Detroit bomb squad cop when I was writing a Detroit bombing book. Good luck with your blog and your books. Judi (writing as lynn romaine)
You’d love Lee’s book. It’s written in a way that makes it easy for people not in law enforcement to understand. Wow-I’ll get that interview was a lot of fun! The most fun I had was when I did a telephone interview with an FBI agent about money laundering and shortly after that one showed up at my front door. LOL. It was pure coincidence but she and I both had a good laugh about it.
I love that this is available! Thanks for sharing and thanks for thinking of us for a give away!
You’re welcome! Good luck.
My hero is a homicide detective. Thank you for the book recommendation and the website. I can’t wait to dig into them. Research not only adds an air of authenticity, but also, I find it inspires as well.
Yes, it does inspire. I took a class on death scenes once for research and learned waaaay more than I wanted to know.
Lee really knows his stuff. I’d love to have his book. One of these days I’m going to make it to the Police Writers Academy – unfortunately it’s always on my twin’s birthday, but sooner or later they’ll stop caring if I’m there on the day of!
I know…I want to go, too. I’ve heard from other writers who’ve gone and they all rave about it.
Thanks for mentioning my book and blog, Sonya. And please do let me know if I can answer any questions.
Also, I’d like to remind you and your readers about our Writers’ Police Academy (WPA), an event that takes place each year at an actual police, fire, and EMS training academy. We offer three days of hands-on training designed especially for writers. Workshops are taught by top police and forensics experts from all across the country, as well as dozens of active duty law enforcement professionals from SWAT, bomb squads, K-9 teams, undercover officers, forensic anthropologists, medical examiners, dive teams, etc. We also offer ride-a-longs with police officers and sheriff’s deputies, and jail tours. This year our keynote speaker was Lee Child, and our list of special guest speakers included Marcia Clark (OJ Simpson prosecutor).
Attendees have often described the WPA as “Disneyland for writers!” This event features the same training offered to police officers, detectives, firefighters, etc. It is not a watered down citizens police academy.
Thanks again, Sonya, and I do hope we’ll see you guys at the 2013 WPA!
Here’s what you can expect to see and do at the WPA:
http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/just-another-lazy-day-at-the-writers-police-academy/
http://www.writerspoliceacademy.com/
Thanks for all you do to give back to writers by sharing your knowledge. I love how you do the ‘Remembering the Fallen’ posts. Those always bring a lump to my throat and an ache to my heart.
This would be a great resource for writers. Thanks for sharing.
It is great! Plus, he also has so much good stuff on his website to help writers.
Hi there,
I follow Lee on Crime Scene Writers – it’s a loop and I’ve learned so much that I lurk there all the time. It really helped with my last two books – one was a mainstream romance released last spring – but Lee was a terrific resource with my y/a coming out in December too. And all I want to know is what I have to do to get the book?
Just leave a comment, which you did. I’ll put the names in a hat and choose one at random on Friday. Good luck!
LOL on the noodle/autopsy thing! I’ll have to keep that in mind. 😀