Part of the fun of being a writer, in my opinion, is getting to explore. We do so much exploring in our head (motivations, reactions, interactions with our characters), it's kind of a treat to go explore in the real world.
My biggest exploration was at Delta Airlines, where I researched for my book SKID. I got to fly a simulator, which was about the coolest thing ever. I talked to pilots and flight attendants and tried to get an idea of what life is like for them. It's cool to wear the writer label sometimes because people just start opening up, telling life stories that perhaps they've never told another soul. It's helpful, too, that I write fiction because I always promise everyone that no matter what, they'll be cleverly disguised!
For SNITCH, I went to Las Vegas to research undercover police officers. That was very eye opening. I toured "the strip" but also toured the slums, and learned what a very young city Las Vegas really is. I interviewed a long time undercover police officer and his wife, and asked in depth questions about what their life was really like. The answers were wonderfully surprising.
Then last week my husband and I agreed to help our local SWAT team with training. We were supposed to be the hostages in a scenario that involved two locations, one being a bus--the other a warehouse, several bombs and lots of action. I was picked to be the hostage in the warehouse, but at the last minute the cop with me said we should switch and I should be the bad guy, because that would really throw them.
I agreed, so little me (I'm 5'2") had a gun, a bomb and a six foot four hostage. It was a little ridiculous, I'll admit, but it was fascinating to play the bad guy. Sure, I've created lots of bad guys in my writing career. But I'm not sure I've ever gotten so close to one of my creations! I kind of got lost in the role, and it was terribly fun.
Before I knew it, I'd strapped the bomb to my hostage, sent him out the door, and then I was totally alone with my gun. The office area I was holed up in was pitch black...about 2,000 square feet of darkness. And I was my character...desperate to save my brother who was being executed...our family had planned to bomb the court house. For several minutes, it felt so real. Especially when the negotiator began trying to talk me out.
I wondered, alone in the dark with only a gun, how desperate I really was.
Unfortunately, time won. My husband had a meeting at one and we had to leave, so I surrendered to get things moving along. But I still wonder...what if I'd tried to run? Truthfully, it was so dark in there that I was afraid SWAT team guys were inside already, sneaking around. Honestly, it was some really terrifying moments! Later they told me the snipers could've killed me. Twice! (I thought I was doing a good job of being sneaky, but I guess not!)
Anyway, after that it was back to the real world. But man, do I enjoy hopping into other people's worlds, just for a moment, just to see what their life is like.
There's always another perspective, isn't there? The more perspectives I see, the more I am challenged in my walk with God...to not be so captivated by my own life situation. Look around! There are many things to explore, many things that will give me insight into life as I don't know it.
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That is soooo cool. I'm trying to write a romantic suspense, but I really suck at the suspense part, and I keep asking myself, "How can you possibly make this story authentic when you burst into tears every time a cop pulls you over?" I'm going to a conference next month to help me figure this out. You can't imagine how I wish I had my own personal SWAT team right now.
Posted by: Angela Meuser | May 01, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Angela, it's a really fascinating world! I so much enjoy studying law enforcement. Once you start meeting these people and begin to know them and what they do, I think you'll have a new passion for it! But I do feel your pain :) It would be so nice to have our own personal SWAT team!
Posted by: Rene Gutteridge | May 02, 2009 at 12:55 PM