Responsible Writing

By Mark W. Danielson

At first glance you see a smiling man, but then his shirt identifies him as one of millions that celebrate the 9/11 World Trade Center attack as a victory against the infidels.  Hold this image as I discuss the need to write responsibly.

Every day, images and stories of murder and destruction inspire fiction writers.  While most novels end with heroes overcoming chaos, some unknowingly prompt copycat crimes.  Adding to this, there is a troubling trend of stories and shows that capitalize on actual school shootings, murders, and abductions without regard for the victims, or any concern that such wide-spread exposure may romanticize such criminal acts.  Recently, live TV preempted local programing for hours to cover the manhunt for a “home grown” terrorist.  Apparently they failed to realize that their sensationalized filler made martyrs out of these bombers and may encourage more acts.  With bombings now the norm in large and small screen plots, it was disturbing to find a Mystery Writers of America forensics article on bombings so authors could “get it right.”  Are these writers aware that by incorporating such technical information in their novels, they may be inviting disaster?  You may cry nonsense, but no one can predict a criminal’s mind.  Anyone having doubts about how people can be affected by media input should watch Pain and Gain – a movie based on a true story of how words and images lured people into criminal activity and murder.  Authors should not only be cognizant of any potential negative effects of their work, they should also accept responsibility if a criminal acts from their prose.

Don’t get me wrong.  I love reading and writing suspense.  In fact, several years ago I was well into a terrorist book, but then realized if it was published, the information I provided could lead to serious security breaches.  At that point I deleted the story and moved on.  Unfortunately, there are far too many published cook books for terror.  Remember that our media and Google Earth were Bin Laden’s best intelligence sources.

Our freedom of expression allows us to write and publish whatever we choose.  As a result, the Internet is packed with dangerous recipes bearing Constitutional protection.  So, at what point do authors realize they went too far?  The day after a disaster, or before their work is published?  In the United States, that choice is yours.  In other countries, they make that decision for you.

While every good mystery should involve danger and risk, none should generate real harm to individuals.  Take another look at the man’s grin and then share your thoughts.   

Virtual Resources

By Mark W. Danielson

These days, the availability of instant information has made fiction writing simple. However, it also means there is no excuse for inaccurate subject matter. Authors cannot be experts on every topic. However, unless they are writing fantasy, they must have enough knowledge on the subject to create accurate and plausible stories.

Recently, I was disheartened to read a book by a big-name author who wrote countless inaccurate and unrealistic situations that involved flying. While it would have been easy for him to contact someone in the field to review these scenes for accuracy, he apparently believed he could fool his audience. Since I fly for a living and have over forty-five years of experience in that field, I sent him an e-mail offering to proof any flying scenes on his future books, gratis. I never received a reply, but the offer still stands.

Although the Internet has its limitations, it is a priceless tool for authors. Knowing my limitations, I frequently use the Internet to link up with experts. In my last story, I contacted a federal DNA expert. In my current story, a paranormal expert and physicists have given me sufficient knowledge to write my story with confidence. I also find Google Earth’s bird’s eye and street level views significantly aid in scene description. In this regard, the Internet makes accurate writing a breeze.

But there is a significant difference between expert information and Internet articles. The down-side to the Internet is there are no filters. As such, there is no way to guarantee an article’s accuracy. Any credible fiction writer can craft a believable bogus document. My goal is to always create fictional stories plausible enough to make the reader wonder whether it actually happened. Using real events, names, and locations adds authenticity and makes it easy for my readers to identify with my story just as movie audiences do when seeing familiar landmarks.

Since I know my limitations, I write expert characters into the scene rather than have my protagonist appear all-knowing. Doing this allows professional information be presented in a manner similar to how it was obtained by me. My protagonist, Homicide Detective Maxx Watts, is an average guy with good instincts, but has his weaknesses and isn’t always right. As such, most readers can relate to Watts, and by following his thought process, can understand how he reached his conclusions. For me, this works better than a shootout at high noon where everyone conveniently gathers on Main Street.

The Internet is a tremendous asset, but must be used with discretion. While researching topics, carefully consider their sources and read as many articles from as many authors as you can find before believing the information to be valid. My experience is experts are nearly always available and willing to assist authors. Without accuracy, the author loses credibility, and loss of credibility is not only distracting to a reader, it can lead to loss of readership. Research is only as good as the effort you put into it. Getting it right means no side effects.