Writing police procedurals? 5 Tips. #Policeprocedure #CrimeWriting #WritingCommunity
Considering most procedurals are written by authors with no experience of being on the front line, it’s important to do your research.
1/5 In Ireland there are no opportunities to ride-along like other countries but there is nothing wrong with asking a member of the force a question to help clarify a point of law in your book.
2/5 Officers are not super-human, they have lives outside of the job and will have real feelings, fears and desires. Make your character human.
3/5 The should. Don’t mess with the laws. Arrests, detentions, warrants are all enshrined in law. The only time to deviate from 'the should' is when it’s relevant to the story.
4/5 The could. If the detective did this what could happen to my story? Use your imagination but don’t get carried away, make it believable and, most importantly, relevant to the story.
5/5 You can make up a unit or a department to achieve what you need to but know it well, know the hierarchy and make it as real to you as you would like it to be to your reader.
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