• Basic Writing questions is not a crit forum. All crits belong in Share Your Work

Interviewing "experts' for fiction

Status
Not open for further replies.

Christabelle

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jun 28, 2013
Messages
1,298
Reaction score
127
Location
Tennessee
Have you ever contacted an expert in a field that you are writing about?

I work fulltime as a newspaper reporter, and I frequently contact people to answer questions about stories I'm working on. However, I feel uncomfortable doing so for fiction. I guess I feel like since I'm unpublished in fiction that I'm not quite "legitimate."

I'd like to do more in depth research on certain subjects, but I'm scared people will think I'm a nutcase for approaching them.
 

Maryn

Sees All
Staff member
Super Moderator
Moderator
Kind Benefactor
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Feb 12, 2005
Messages
55,429
Reaction score
25,447
Location
Snow Cave
I'm real shy so I've only done it a little, but the results were truly great. In my limited experience, people who are experts are flattered that you realize they're experts, approve of the fact that you realize their input is of value, want fiction writers to get it right, and (assuming you don't act like a jerk) often make themselves available for future questions as they arise.

You do not need to tell them you have not yet published your fiction, but do be honest if they ask. "I'm writing a thriller I hope to sell to a commercial publishing house..." is fine.

Maryn, egging you on--with real eggs!
 

Grenouille Bleue

Love, love me do
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Messages
53
Reaction score
9
Location
France
Most experts I've contacted were enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge with a writer. It's always better to come prepared, though. Don't hesitate to write some questions down, it shows them you really care and it will help getting you on track.

Usually, being in the "thanks" part of the book is enough of a gratification for them.

I interviewed a couple special agents from the french tac team, a journalist to know how he would cover the story I had in mind, a coroner and a firearms specialist.

I also interviewed the director of a model agency and half a dozen supermodels to write a book that happens during a beauty contest, but that was strangely more fun than work :D

Anyway, back on topic, everybody has been really nice, really interested in the books to come, and all my questions got answered.

Hope that helps.
 

Chris P

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred
Kind Benefactor
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Nov 4, 2009
Messages
22,611
Reaction score
7,289
Location
Wash., D.C. area
I've had good experiences contacting experts, too. I contacted the law university in Alabama about how certain laws were enforced and prosecuted, and the woman was so incredibly wonderful I felt bad when I moved the book to Nashville because the laws I was interested in were stricter there.

The "Interviewees and Experts" forum here has seen my footsteps more than once. I've also contacted historical societies, enthusiast clubs, and joined online forums and Facebook groups to get info. The only downside is the "send me your book when it comes out" only to have to tell them it might be a couple years at the fastest. I would LOVE to send them my books! It's just a long, long process.
 

TellMeAStory

Super Member
Registered
Joined
May 30, 2013
Messages
1,203
Reaction score
293
Location
Somewhere between earnest application and gleeful
Most recently, I interviewed the director of a country club for my historical fiction story. I didn't need the club itself, just a few names of historical trophy winners. What a gentleman! I didn't request it, but he gave me a tour of the facilities, including the underground tunnel built in the 1920s to connect the ladies' dressing room to the swimming pool so that no one need be embarrassed. He also GAVE me a book about the history of the club, and I could find my trophy winners at home at leisure. I hadn't intended to, but the club will now be written into my story.

The club was recommended by a museum docent, and I've written her name into the story as well. She's delighted at the prospect, and I was delighted with her lead.
 

Christabelle

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jun 28, 2013
Messages
1,298
Reaction score
127
Location
Tennessee
That's awesome, you guys! I'm glad people have been successful with interviews. I'm pretty shy also, so I hate initiating a conversation without the proper "credentials" so to speak. I'm also afraid of the people who want a copy of my book that hasn't even been sold yet. (I've got two people still yelling at me for stories I did interviews for at work, but my boss shot down in the editing process.)

But at the same time, I want my facts to be correct, so when I get to that point, I'm glad to know that interviews can in fact be done with success! :)
 

Debbie V

Mentoring Myself and Others
Super Member
Registered
Joined
May 29, 2010
Messages
3,138
Reaction score
290
Location
New York
I'm always up front that my work may not sell. That helps me feel better when it doesn't. It's more than ten years since I interviewed an oncology nurse and two kids whose father died from cancer for my middle grade novel. (I feel guilty that I didn't keep in touch with them, but I'm glad I did the interviews and I will endeavor to track them down if the book sells one day.) The interviews make for a better book and a better book is more likely to sell. (It's in revision. I'm a better writer now.) Go for it.
 

shadowwalker

empty-nester!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Mar 8, 2010
Messages
5,601
Reaction score
598
Location
SE Minnesota
I've never had any problems with getting expert advice. Even when I was writing fanfic, and was very open about it, nobody turned down a request for information, and many went out of their way to include things I never would have thought of. I imagine there are 'stuffed shirts' out there, and eventually we'll all run into one or two, but like bad reviews, you just make a note and move on. And of course, depending on who you contact, some may just not have time *at the moment* to help out - but the only one I ran into like that very helpfully pointed me to someone else.
 

Maze Runner

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
5,489
Reaction score
609
I recently had an occasion to speak with Jake "Raging Bull" LaMotta. For those who have seen the Scorsese/De Niro portrayal, you can imagine that I was a little apprehensive, not quite sure what to expect. But what I found was a guy who was welcoming, hospitable, and bright! When I called him, the veteran of over 100 ring wars was reading Budd Schulberg's "Ringside".
 

Jamesaritchie

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Feb 13, 2005
Messages
27,863
Reaction score
2,311
Hundreds. People LOVE talking about what they do, so as long as you don't waste their entire day, I think you'll find most what to tell you far more than you need to know.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.