F IS FOR FACT FINDING( CONT’ D)
learned that in the subject period of time such a situation would have been handled in a different manner than in modern times. If I’ d relied upon what I found on the internet, I would have gotten it wrong. In addition to surfing the net, don’ t be afraid to call possible information resources and explain that you’ re an author and need some help.
WHAT DOES THE READER WANT TO KNOW?
Let’ s look at cozy or funny mysteries. In most cases the reader really doesn’ t care about the finite details the same way readers of thrillers or procedurals do. By the way, as stated above, this does apply to many genres besides mysteries. The tone of the story usually sets how much detail the reader wants. If a cozy were to include the same depth of details as procedural genres, the reader might close the book and not open it again.
They are reading the funny book for the sole purpose of entertainment, not education. The exception is a culinary mystery or any number of other popular hobby mysteries. Then the cozy aficionado is interested in recipes or details about how to knit one purl two or how to find the best way to affix something in a scrapbook. For that type of research, all you need is the right terminology to plug into a search engine and viola! You sound like an instant expert. However, even with something that seems simple, if a family member or friend is into the same profession or hobby as your protagonist or other characters, don’ t miss the chance to say,“ Look, I know you would spot something off-key in an instant. Could you do me a favor and review this passage?”
Here is another example: I needed to get backstage at a Las Vegas show to see what the catwalk area and backstage really look like for the Silver Sisters Mystery Vanishing Act in Vegas. I’ d done lots of internet research, but that wasn’ t a substitute for actually being by the catwalk and looking down. I was fortunate enough to have an acquaintance arrange a backstage tour for me at a major show on the Strip and let me tell you, I was blown away. Standing on stage looking up at the catwalk, then taking an elevator up four floors to stand on the landing that gave access to it was totally different than reading about it and looking at pictures. By being up there by the catwalk, I caught one error in the manuscript and that opened up a myriad of possibilities for more intrigue surrounding the first murder in the book.
As a final word, be sure to match the amount of detail to the general taste of your profile reader. Even if you didn’ t know anything about the topic a few days before, make it sound like you are knowledgeable. If you’ ve done your homework, you do have more knowledge than you did before. Then check— check— and check again. Make sure the research yielded the right details.
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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016