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Lisa and Clare Interview John Carlson by Bernzilla
on Flickr
- Keep notes
- Date notes
- Follow up
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Alexis Hubshman Scope Interview 2 by VernissageTV Didier Didier,
on Flickr
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Don't have a business card?
Staples, Office Depot, even Target or Walmart have business card stock paper. Format according to the guidelines that come with the card stock and print out anywhere from one to one-hundred business cards. |
Roxana Saberi Gives Interview by John McNab
on Flickr
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My Tip
I practiced with a script a few times before making my calls. Having it written helped and practicing a few times made it smoother, more professional which helps when you're asking a bank officer how many inches $100 bills would measure when bundled. |
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I love thriller-suspense books. Harlan Coben, Lee Child, J.A. Konrath. Eat 'em up, yum. But darned if I couldn't for the life of me write on.
Why? I kept getting stuck on the stuff you just can't make up. Police procedures, FBI, CIA, DEA stuff. But that's changed.
I got an "in" with people in-the-know.
And you know what? Boy, do they like giving up the stuff!
I have a contact who put in his 25 years with the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) and is retired, working private security. And recently, I made a connection with a Behavioral Analyst (you might call them "profilers") out of Quantico. And in December, I took a tour of a local FBI office - inside and out, and spent an hour and a half getting all kinds of fascinating information from a Weapons of Mass Destruction specialist.
There's hope yet one of those thriller-suspense novels I've been working on may still make it to completion!
While there's a story behind each of my contacts and how I happened to come upon them, that will have to wait - or go up on my personal blog. But for now, how about if I share ways you, too, can make some connections and reasons why doing your research will take away a lot of pain from writing that novel you're just itching to get out?
Research - Get 'er done
After resolving to pigeon-hole that thriller-suspense novel, I started working on a fantasy novel that dabbles in Wiccan beliefs and ceremonies, magick, and mysticism. But as I rolled along, I found myself leaving too many blanks. Gaps that needed some research done before I could really write a convincing story. It had a chain-like effect. I got stuck. Even though I had it all plotted and outlined, I realized I had to stop writing and start researching.
Lo and behold, the research shined a magnum spotlight into those gaps. I discovered some huge errors that, while easily resolved at this early stage, could have killed further progress. And as I compiled the data, the story took off like wildfire.
Even now, as I start poking and prodding and compiling data from my FBI and DEA contacts, the shelved manuscript has begun to write itself. Problematic areas have mysteriously resolved themselves.
So, you see, spending some time, digging in and learning about intricate details, pays off in big ways. Sure, fiction writers can make up stuff, but the trick is to make it believable and in doing that, you simply have to have knowledge of what cannot be made up.
Making Connections
Reading is good, but becoming street smart? Now that's priceless!
Experts in the field are ok, but seldom do they have the time or the willingness to give you an interview and the information you need. Aim your sites towards the bottom of the totem-pole. And always, always, ask for referrals and recommendations.
Be up front, especially with cold calls, as to why you want to speak with the person. Let them know you're a fiction writer (and say fiction because - (a) some shy away from journalists and (b) they're more willing to talk when the odds are, what they say will be glamorized rather than villainized, as a result) conducting research for a current novel. Shazam! Be prepared for the flood gates to open.
Start simple. Let's say you want to know how the police would handle the report of a missing middle aged man whose been gone for over a week and the report is being filed by a concerned business client. Stick to the single inquiry even if you want more information or their response incites other questions -aside from the clarifications you'll need to make. Your initial contact should be timely (e.g. slow part of the day, mid-week, not during lunch hour/end of shift/start of shift) and short.
Make a point of getting the name, the correct spelling, and position of the person you speak with. But do not make any statement about including them in your novel's acknowledgements. You may wind up not using their information and burn a very valuable bridge.
End your contact with:
| 1.) | a clear note of appreciation for |
| | a.) | their time |
| | b.) | the information |
| 2.) | ask if they would be open to further contact in the future, and if yes - |
| | a.) | what works best? Call/drop by/make an appointment during work hours? |
| | b.) | meeting off-duty/outside of work? |
| - | if no, is there someone they could refer you to? |
| | and always make sure you find out if you can use their name when making that contact |
| 3.) | ask if there is an email address, or other way they'd prefer, for you to contact them should you have need to clarify what they have shared |
| | - also let them know, if the method of contact is email, what your email address is so they recognize it and will respond rather than dump it. |
| 4.) | ask if they have any suggestions on whom to speak with, read, etc. for further questions (unless #2 was a no) |
| 5.) | Thank them once again and be sure to use their name when doing so |
- Keep notes.
- Date your notes.
- Follow up
Also, it usually works to your benefit if you follow-up with a brief thank you note. That way, your contact is more inclined to think of you and impart wisdom in the future, remember to touch base with anyone they referred you to, and pass along to your new contact anything your referral mentioned.
Be careful not to overstay your welcome.
It also helps to do whatever reading and collect information from other sources so that you are showing some knowledge base, interest, and initiative.
| My Resources - a limited list |
bank officers
police detectives
firefighters
construction workers
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pet - sitters, trainers, kennel workers, veterinarians
paranormal experts
TSA employees
Just to name a few!
| Good luck with your research! - Kathie Leung
Author's Biography
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