Writing A Tape Recording?

gothicangel · Jan 11, 2010

I want to write a scene in my crime novel of a character listening back to a tape of a police interview.

I'm feeling a bit self-concious of writing a scene of policeman #1 says this, the suspect said that.

Any ideas?

Ruv Draba · Jan 11, 2010

What's the narrative viewpoint, GA?

gothicangel · Jan 11, 2010

First person, not a police officer. Hence looking for alternatives to 'seeing these events.

Woolly · Jan 11, 2010

Why not just present it as a transcript, with reactions breaking up the listening experience?

POLICEMAN: What's your name?

SUSPECT: None of your business.

John moved the tape ahead a few minutes.

SUSPECT: All right! I killed all of them! And you too!

POLICEMAN: I knew it!

Alternatively, you could have the point of view character "imagine" the conversation taking place in realtime.

gothicangel · Jan 11, 2010

I was wondering if the transcript would jar, but I really like the imagining idea.

Thanks!

I have him listening in on witness interviews (he's a barrister) but I didn't want to keep repeating that type of scene. It would irritate me as a reader.

Writing A Tape Recording?

gothicangel

Toughen up.

Ruv Draba

gothicangel

Toughen up.

Woolly

Rambler

gothicangel

Toughen up.