This month, I address the issues I experienced researching my yet-to-be-published crime novel, Metal and Bones. This amounted to no research at all. It all came down to relying on my preferred reading material and TV entertainment.
Production companies that invest in blockbuster books, trillion-dollar movie deals, and TV productions must be accurate in every detail. Right? I found out that wasn’t necessarily true.
I read a lot of British crime novels. My preference is for some of the UK’s leading crime writers. The best way to emulate the best is to immerse yourself in the best. Ian Rankin and Anne Cleeves spring to mind. For American writers, I love the gritty atmosphere of the American noir novels of the 30’s and 40’s, the creations of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, as well as the twisty stories of Ray Bradbury. Add to that Nordic noir, along with all the other countries producing their own detective novels, and there is no end of choice. I also enjoy reading the spy novels of John le Carre, Mick Herron, and Chris Cummings, to name a few. You can see where I am going with this. None of these books has anything to do with the Australian justice system, police procedures or legal system.
With my bookcase and tablet stacked with many more titles, there is not enough room in this post to list every crime novel I have read. That goes for the TV series and movies I’ve watched.
Where I went horribly wrong
It is a mistake to think the British policing and justice system would be the same as the Australian justice system. Or at least similar enough to make my story work. American crime was something different again, so in-your-face. It’s hard to ignore the fast pace of the American cop shows and their unusual types of investigators (think of all the made-up or non-existent professions) when trying to put a story on the page.
While bashing out my story, I found myself mixing the references into my writing without thinking. Both styles of dramas have been a large part of our culture, but I did stop short of adding ‘Book’im Dano,’ or anything similar, in my dialogue.
I couldn’t walk into a police station with a box of pastries or a cake and ask an officer to talk me through their day-to-day duties. Who would know if I kept the actual official procedures vague? This meant finding another way.
Let’s plan a crime or two over lunch
What I needed was a partner in crime. My writing buddy, Laree Chapman, is the perfect friend for this. Laree is an award-winning writer whose short stories have won prizes. I used to think that I had a disturbed mind. Laree writes Historical Australian crime fiction, gothic and fantasy. This is the person I bounce my heinous crimes off. We have agreed to only commit a crime on paper.
We get together for one day every week to write. Sometimes it’s just to sound out a problem or talk through the next step to take, or what’s new in the publishing world. We started off these all-day sessions with wine and lunch. That had to stop. I know Hemingway is supposed to have said, ‘Write drunk, edit sober.’ That may work for crusty old journalists sent to war-torn foreign countries, but for a couple of crime writers from central Queensland, it has its problems.
Together, we signed up for an online course with the Australian Writers Centre, Anatomy of a Crime, presented by Candice Fox.. That course is a brilliant reference for any Australian crime writer. Candice presents case files, recorded interviews with police and perpetrators. There are supporting case files, court documents and photos. She also addresses the psychology of a killer’s mind. A truly fascinating resource. Not for the faint-hearted. That course sent me off editing again. This highlighted the need to change my motives, opportunity, and character relationships, as well as adding references to the gathering of evidence and how it is handled.
zoom zoom
It was during a Zoom conversation with my crime writing friends that I was asked about my research. What resources did I use? Being put on the spot like that, I admitted to my reading and TV viewing. I don’t think they were that impressed.
They knew who I should contact. JACK RONEY, a Queensland-based crime writer. While the conversation had moved on, I was searching online for this gentleman and found his website.
JACK RONEY is an ex-police officer. He has now retired, concentrating on being a full-time crime fiction writer, podcaster and educator. As a member of both the Australian Society of Authors and the Australian Crime Writers Association, he is also an active contributor to Queensland Writers Centre. He presents a YouTube podcast with friend and fellow author, HARRY COLFER, a paramedic, writer and podcaster. Check out their YouTube channel, GENRE FICTION PODCAST.
His podcast is aimed towards the Australian writers’ market and is full of informative content. It’s not just for crime writers; there’s content from the professionals within the Australian publishing industry. He interviews writers, publishers, editors, and industry professionals. The information is current and relevant to Australian writers.
Jack runs workshops specifically aimed at crime fiction writers for the Australian crime fiction market. He is the author of the Jarrod O’Connor crime series, a YA fiction, and I see that he has a short story available on his site. Super qualified to field my questions. If this is your thing, do take time to check out both Jack and Harry’s websites.
The golden nugget
I didn’t wait around. That night, I got my golden nugget. I didn’t muck about; I sent an email to Jack immediately asking about his workshop. Unable to attend the group sessions in Brisbane, I asked if he could do a Zoom session. I wasn’t expecting the prompt reply. He sent me details on how to register. We would be doing a one-on-one session. I was to send the first pages of my manuscript, a rough outline of what it was about, and some questions that I have about police procedures.
Once I had done my homework, we scheduled a date and time. He sent copies of his three novels as a bonus. I thought it was time and money well spent. The chance to do a face-to-face session without having to compete with other writers thirsty for information was invaluable.
Going back through the pages I emailed to him, it amazed me how much information about police procedures I got wrong. It wasn’t just the procedures that were wrong. I had mixed Americanisms and British references, the investigating officers’ ranks were incorrect, and police jargon that isn’t used here in Queensland. There were also some very dodgy investigation procedures. That meant only one thing. You guessed it, another round of edits to plough through.
So many resources
Armed with new information and on the right track, it was a no-brainer to head towards the true crime podcasts available. I found some great content on ABC’s listenR App. Just by typing in true crime, I found a plethora of podcasts by writers, journalists, police officers, and forensic investigators that popped up in my feed. There are plenty of episodes about criminals and investigators that it’s almost overwhelming. That being said, I might still call the local police station with a few more pertinent questions, and maybe a cake.
It just goes to show that no matter how much you think you know, you don’t.
Join me next month when I apply the delete button to my manuscript.
