100 things #80 Believablity and it's importance.

[jana_denardo]

I can't stress this enough. Authors can't be experts in everything but they have to do some research on their topics. They should be at least to the level of what the lay person knows...

I'm reading (well I quit) a mystery by an author who does suspense. I've liked other books by her but this one had me over and done before 100 pages in. The MC was shot at and her coworker was killed in the attack. She literally had to claw her way out for under the other woman. And yet NO ONE interviews her about the incidence. In fact, she's allowed to go home where there is a strange stalker note so she goes to another person's house. There is a police guard but why we don't know because we never see the police talk to her. Later she flees back to her house and the guard is...I have no idea.

I had to ask myself could I believe in a story where the cops don't even investigate a person who got grazed by a bullet in an attack that killed her friend? Especially since the cop investigating this is her best friend's husband. Am I to assume it happened? Does this seem like it should happen off screen without even a mention?

To me the believability has been broken and the story no longer feels like something worth my time. Stuff like this is damaging. My desire to read this author has taken a hit. I have to wonder why no one in editing said 'hey, why is no one from the police talking to a victim of attempted murder? I think back on things my editors have caught far more minor than this and I have to wonder about the editors at this rather large publishing house.

Do your research. Not taking the time can cost you your readers.


And in completely other news, and very good news at that. Project Fierce Anthology is now up for pre-order. I'm in this great cause with so many other talented authors. The money raised goes to help LGBT homeless youth around Chicago. My story Nothing But Himself is urban fantasy and I really had a great time writing it. I would love to revisit the story.