A tangled web

[Samandiriel]

I sit here, fingertips poised over the keys ready to write my next story and find I don't know where to start.
Granted I've written out the rough draft but I'm facing a bit of a conundrum.

The story is naturally fiction, but more of a fantasy.
It takes place in a courtroom situation. I've studied up on my legal terms and have even asked questions about legal advice but then I stop and wonder?

Should I worry about the technicalities?

Will it add to or take away from the story itself?

The writer in me desires to write the piece well yet the storyteller hints at the weaving of the tale.

Has anyone else been experiencing this lately?

Perhaps I should just toss a coin and take it from there and stop being such a nitpicker?


Share with me, please.

Sam

 

[Guest]

It's a conundrum.

Here's my two cents. I think an author should be at least somewhat familiar with the technical stuff, which does not mean it necessarily needs to go into the story. The familiarity will come out in how the tale is told.

As far as putting actual details in, it's a bit tough, particularly for a technical profession. A certain amount helps but it's easy to let it get out of hand. Talking only about my style, I tend to initially put in too much stuff. But in the cutting down process, it helps me shape the story.

Hope this helps...

 

[Lauren Hynde]

I feel it's always better to get the technicalities right, but don't overthink it.

Take that first draft and send it to someone used to courtroom situations - a lawyer, a judge, a criminal with a poor escape record. When you get his or her notes on it, review and rewrite.

 

[Samandiriel]

Thank you both, I think I'm overstressing on the technicalities too much.
I want the story to have a little levity and not become marinated in facts and figures.
Writing it and sending it to someone seems to make the most sense right now.

 

[Guest]

Thank you both, I think I'm overstressing on the technicalities too much.
I want the story to have a little levity and not become marinated in facts and figures.
Writing it and sending it to someone seems to make the most sense right now.

Not to be presumptuous, but I'd be happy to read it over if you'd like.

 

[Samandiriel]

Not to be presumptuous, but I'd be happy to read it over if you'd like.

When I take my thumb out of my lower posterior I will indeed keep you in mind, thank you.

 

[cantdog]

There's a line forming to take the place of the thumb?

 

[Samandiriel]

There's a line forming to take the place of the thumb?

>> <<

 

[Seattle Zack]

You should, of course, worry about the technicalities. Otherwise your story will just be stupid, and summarily rejected. Get the details right.

Other than that, realise that we tell lies for a living (well, some of us, anyway). That is our profession. We lie, convincingly enough, so that people will purchase our lies. And, hopefully, they will gain some nugget of pleasure from reading the lies we tell.

That's what it is to be a writer. Telling lies.

 

[elsol]

Trying to satisfy the .01 % of people that actually KNOW every little detail about the thing your writing about will almost guarantee losing the interest of the 20% of readers that don't give a shit.

Pick your poison; those 'oh so superior' feedbacks from Star Wars geeks that know every little detail about the movies, or the 'Next, please' from readers that don't know a lightsaber from the Millenium Falcon.

Sincerely,
ElSol