Thread: Need help

Hello Everyone, the reason that I am writing this, is because I need help. I got a scene where of of my Detective's whom is called Jimmy, founds out what Victor Johnson (Suspect) had done in the past. The feeling I want to get across is that He is shocked of the behavior of Victor and wants answers. I don't know how to portray in my novel. I don't know if Jimmy would want to talk to Victor or put his job on the line?

It might be hard to shock someone who has reached detective level, (I am assuming police rather than private). Also, what he has done in the past can't be that bad if he is still walking free. Detectives tend to be birds that flock together, for many reasons, my immediate instinct would be to have him talk to a colleague, That way he can also go through the pros and cons of his next course of action with him.

Check out your post, it is a bit carelessly written, it is my feeling that reading and correcting everything gets you into good habits for when it matters,

Hello Everyone, the reason that I am writing this, is because I need help. I gothave a scene where of? of my Detective's plural, no apostrophe whom is called Jimmy, founds finds out what Victor Johnson (Suspect) had done in the past. The feeling I want to get across is that He is shocked of atthe behavior spelling of Victor and wants answers. I don't know how to portray (this) in my novel. I don't know if Jimmy would want to talk to Victor or put his job on the line?

[QUOTE=Olly Buckle;1498722]It might be hard to shock someone who has reached detective level, (I am assuming police rather than private). Also, what he has done in the past can't be that bad if he is still walking free. Detectives tend to be birds that flock together, for many reasons, my immediate instinct would be to have him talk to a colleague, That way he can also go through the pros and cons of his next course of action with him.

Check out your post, it is a bit carelessly written, it is my feeling that reading and correcting everything gets you into good habits for when it matters,

Olly, i happen to be of the opinion that an education that serves only to correct others is an education watsed... the easiest job in the world is that of critic... all you need is an opinion!

anyhoooooo... that aside, detectives can be up themselves a lot... look at charlie chisholm from minder... he wouldnt confide with his colleagues, he'd always talk down to them, kinda puting them on par with arthur dailey.

but going through the motions is a defo... maybe at home with the wife, or on the phone with an old colleague or mentor from the police academy! then there's always the flash of inspiration from the rank outsider, like the barstaff, or garage mechanic, who says something completely off the cuff, but is that missing something that triggers the wheels in motion, and allows the penny to drop for the detective... think spencer tracy.

Chuffmonkey:- Firstly people are important and deserve a capital; 'I', 'Charlie', etc..
I am not sure that I agree fully with the sentiment expressed in the first part either, if the person takes the advice to heart something is achieved, and a critic must have some validity to their opinions, not any old opinion will do, the 'only' is also a little presumptive.
However, not to stray too far from the subject; you have a point about Charlie Chisholm, fictional detectives do not always (ever?) stick to the real life norms.

Originally Posted by Olly Buckle

Chuffmonkey:- Firstly people are important and deserve a capital; 'I', 'Charlie', etc..
I am not sure that I agree fully with the sentiment expressed in the first part either, if the person takes the advice to heart something is achieved, and a critic must have some validity to their opinions, not any old opinion will do, the 'only' is also a little presumptive.
However, not to stray too far from the subject; you have a point about Charlie Chisholm, fictional detectives do not always (ever?) stick to the real life norms.

Well good for you olly!

in theory i can agree with you, i mean if youre selling a book then the reader should have value for money, but isnt that what proof readers and editors are getting paid for... dotting the i's and crossing the t's etc.

im a slacker... so try to see past the cover and focus on the content

Editors and proof readers are not short of work, they will pick the MS with the least errors in it, the others won't even get out of the slush pile.

Originally Posted by Chuffmonkey

in theory i can agree with you, i mean if youre selling a book then the reader should have value for money, but isnt that what proof readers and editors are getting paid for... dotting the i's and crossing the t's etc.

Off Topic:

Proof readers and editors are there to remove any typos and improve the flow of the novel. They aren't there, however, to make the manuscript readable. Don't for a moment believe that you can send a manuscript riddled with punctuation errors. It won't fly . . . except into the bin, that is. Content is vital, of course, but learning to take pride in your craft is also essential.

rah rah

proof readers and editors get paid to do a job, and there are more than just a few of them out there, so the work will get done one way or another