Experts, how do writers find them?

[Natàlia Prats]

There is a group about research, but I don’t know what information has been shared there yet. The way I do it:

-I use the internet a lot, since I can’t travel much.

-Google Maps is my friend when gathering up-to-date detail on geography (but there’s nothing like visiting yourself).

-When I needed info from a certain police body in another country, I first researched, read their website, got a contact number there and phoned, which got me a concerted interview with a member of the body who deals with publicity and people like me. I prepared a series of questions to ensure I’d have all the info I would need for my book by the end of the conversation. It worked a treat.

-Youtube is great to learn new skills even at a surface level and bit of tactical, technical and other types of information. That information is very valuable.

-Even the wikipedia helps. For instance, there is some good information about the British Police there, and for going deeper it offers valuable links.

-Sometimes my friends mention they have a friend whose profession is connected to what I’m working on and, if it’s likely to help me, I ask them if they would be so kind as to ask their friend if I could approach them for a chat about a subject I want to know more and they know well.

-Networking will help you lots! Many people will be happy to talk to you about their job over a cuppa. For business-type connections, check if the council has or knows of a regular breakfast morning in your community.

-There are websites dedicated to help writers. For instance, in the Crime Fiction Writer’s Blog there are great bits of information about all sorts of forensic stuff that’ll help keep the story realistic. there is this group called Crime Scene Writers where people ask questions about police procedure and experts answer them (they’re USA based so most info applies to US police procedure). And the Writers’ Cafe is a forum board where lots of people exchange information of all sorts.

I keep a list of useful sites in my Bookmarks tab so that I can easily access all those places I find interesting while I research.

[Emma Kingscott]

Thanks Natàlia, this is great 😊. I feel a bit apprehensive about making direct contact with an organisation, so that’s something I need to get over especially for answers to very specific questions. Yes the Research Group, I joined it when I became a proper member last week, how could I have forgotten 😔. I will look more closely at the links you’ve sent. Many Thanks again Emma

[Jilly Wheeler]

Hey Emma. I recently read a fantastic book about autopsies. It’s called Unnatural Causes by Richard Shepphard a top UK forensic pathologist. I’d highly recommend it for research material and it happens to be a really good, well-written book in its own right. Good luck.