Well...darn

NiennaC · Oct 7, 2007

I was considering posting this in Rejection and Dejection, but thought it might be better here. The other day I got an idea for a story about a lawyer...the characters are good, plot is good - I've read a lot and I don't think it's been done before.

But I don't think I can write it - 'cause I know NOTHING about being a lawyer. (You know, for the technical stuff...like how a lawyer would handle a trial, the terms they’d use when speaking, etc.)

Is it even remotely possible to research lawyers enough to write a book that would be realistic? Or should I give it up as a lost cause and move on?

ChaosTitan · Oct 7, 2007

You may not have practiced law like John Grisham did, but that shouldn't stop you from pursuing a good story idea. That's why we have libraries and Google and live interviews from people well acquainted with what you're writing about.

If you're passionate about the idea, go for it.

joyce · Oct 7, 2007

I'm a dreamer so I think anything is possible. I would not think it would be that hard to research what you are looking for and write about it. Unless you are going into deep details on some legal matter, I think you could pull it off. Not everyone who is going to read it would be a lawyer. You probably could find answers to your questions right here. I'm sure there are people here that are versed in the lawyer business. Good luck.

Birol · Oct 7, 2007

It's possible to research almost anything. Trust me.

WendyNYC · Oct 7, 2007

What kind of law? It sounds like you might be talking about criminal.

I can't swing a dead cat without hitting a corporate lawyer in my neighborhood, so if that could help, I can ask some friends if they wouldn't mind corresponding with you. There are also lawyers here on AW.

Jamesaritchie · Oct 7, 2007

NiennaC said:
I was considering posting this in Rejection and Dejection, but thought it might be better here. The other day I got an idea for a story about a lawyer...the characters are good, plot is good - I've read a lot and I don't think it's been done before.

But I don't think I can write it - 'cause I know NOTHING about being a lawyer. (You know, for the technical stuff...like how a lawyer would handle a trial, the terms they’d use when speaking, etc.)

Is it even remotely possible to research lawyers enough to write a book that would be realistic? Or should I give it up as a lost cause and move on?

How much did Ray Bradbury know about walking around on Mars?

CreativityWorks · Oct 7, 2007

Go for it. If it inspires you- and you continue to be inspired as you do the research- it is worth your time.

Judg · Oct 7, 2007

Jamesaritchie said:
How much did Ray Bradbury know about walking around on Mars?

Having just re-read The Martian Chronicles, I can tell you. Not a heck of a lot.

Carrie in PA · Oct 7, 2007

If you have the story and you want to write the story, then write it. My novel has a murder conviction being overturned, which I know nothing about. So a verygoodwonderfulamazinghelpful friend

who happens to be a lawyer helped me with enough details to make my story plausable.

Now go write that book!

Ziljon · Oct 7, 2007

Stephen King would suggest you just write the story, plow through the lawer parts, making up what you'd think they would do, and then go ask a lawyer to crit the lawyer parts.

Or just post the lawyer parts here and let the lawyers clean it up.

Anyway, isn't researching different jobs the whole fun of being a writer?

Well...darn

NiennaC

ChaosTitan

Around

joyce

I'm really shy...

Birol

Around and About

WendyNYC

fiddle-dee-dee

Jamesaritchie

CreativityWorks

Judg

DISENCHANTED coming soon

Carrie in PA

Write All The Words!

Ziljon

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