tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post9052176283807540066..comments2023-10-14T06:54:41.793-06:00Comments on Julie Coulter Bellon: Writing Tip Thursday---Using ExpertsJulie Coulter Bellonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695605817809301518noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post-62639349146613725472012-03-09T12:58:45.912-07:002012-03-09T12:58:45.912-07:00This post is perfect timing! The project I'm r...This post is perfect timing! The project I'm revising is a crime thriller I wrote for NaNo last year. It's my first and only crime thriller and is full of lines that say 'must check this' :-)<br /><br />Just to add to the fun, it's set in America - I'll be bugging my overseas blogging pals for authenticity :-)Sarah Tokeleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13273148070092101085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post-5263992518448559212012-03-08T16:27:14.790-07:002012-03-08T16:27:14.790-07:00I don't have to go very far to get my expert a...I don't have to go very far to get my expert advice. My husband majored in Criminal Justice and is a retired city police lieutenant, (26 years) who also was an FBI Special Agent for a while, who now works for the city fire department as their Emergency Management Specialist. His oldest brother is retired from the Arizona State Crime lab and is an expert in forensic identification. HIs other brother is a retired firefighter/arson investigator with our fire department. My son was a medic with the military base. I've used all four of these men shamelessly for several of my novels. <br /><br />If I need to ask someone about something specific, say, about England--I know I wouldn't hesitate to ask. I do get very brazen when it comes to technical information for my writing. <br /><br />@ Jordan, I'm bookmarking that Crime Scene Writers, anyway! teehee...Debra Erferthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08239033133090036826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post-73886307811380514552012-03-08T15:23:35.321-07:002012-03-08T15:23:35.321-07:00Groan. I'm about to share the secret sauce.
I...Groan. I'm about to share the secret sauce.<br /><br />I belong to an email list for writers that has people who've worked in all aspects of law enforcement and investigation. People ask questions and they get real answers. (The author behind the blog Janice lists is on there.)<br /><br />It's on Yahoo Groups, and it's called Crime Scene Writer.<br /><br />It's not the only place, of course. I read non fiction from time to time, but I do a TON of research on the Internet. (Some of my faves: I can pick locks and build bombs. But IRL I've only done one of those. You can pick which. ;) <br /><br />Just a couple weeks ago, I called a former FBI agent to ask a bunch of questions for a novel I was revising. I once emailed the Office of Public Archaeology at a local university to find out if they would have more volunteer opportunities soon. (Haven't heard back, but I've got time on that project.) One of my beta readers has a degree in criminal justice and psychology, is a cop's kid, and is married to a federal LEO. My dad is pretty much an expert in everything (according to him), and did study martial arts a very long time. My brother-in-law is a cop. I run things by them all the time.<br /><br />But for the most part, I'm very shy about these things. I don't even like to bug my BIL much (my dad and my beta reader, though, I talk to them for anything).Jordan McCollumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16523599384793856702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4421706587311875668.post-56573224975475485582012-03-08T11:27:12.153-07:002012-03-08T11:27:12.153-07:00I like http://writersforensicsblog.wordpress.com/
...I like http://writersforensicsblog.wordpress.com/<br />I haven't used any of their stuff but at least I know it's available if I should ever need to know what circumstances would cause a body to mummify rather than rot. (And really, who hasn't wondered that?)Janice Sperryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00178805752960449557noreply@blogger.com