Fiction, by nature, is all about making things up. But even fiction has to abide by some facts. Whenever you use an existing environment, things like lingo and location have to make sense to the reader, and the author is expected to get it right. Think about it: if you write about South Africa, a reader from SA would know that traffic lights are commonly called \u2018robots\u2019, and that \u2018football\u2019 isn\u2019t always \u2018soccer\u2019.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s why fiction needs fact\u2014and how to keep it on target.<\/p>\n
\u201cWrite what you know\u201d is common advice. But what about the things you don\u2019t know?<\/p>\n
Your character might need to fire a 9mm Glock, whereas you\u2019ve never touched a firearm. Your heroine might be forced to stab her attacker in the throat, which I sincerely hope you have no experience doing. One of your characters might be a forensic anthropologist, and you\u2019ve never seen the inside of a lab.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what to do:<\/p>\n
Make notes as you write. You\u2019ll need it eventually!<\/p>\n
Mistakes often sneak in with the small details – a shirt suddenly changes color, a pack of matches is empty in one chapter and full in the next. \u00a0Include a list of these things in your notes: Changes in setting, scene or continuity – so you can go back and check. Organize this by chapter and\/or scene if you want to keep track of things.<\/p>\n
Also keep a list of details pertaining to your characters: Their names, ages, eye color, habits and background. It\u2019s almost like being a psychological profiler with a unique inside view into who you\u2019re profiling: Use it!<\/p>\n
Other things you might find it useful to take note of include:<\/p>\n