A recent discussion about research with a bunch of writers
from all genres led to an out and out argument over having correct facts in
your work vs. making them up.
No, no one was hurt, it may have been an argument but there
were a lot of belly laughs too. Needless to say, the science fiction and
historical writers lined up on one side while fantasy and romance were on the
other. I’m glad to say the mystery writers stood in the middle and jumped back
and forth as we saw fit—thus all the laughing.
We had a good time at the expense of the SF writers as they
wanted good sound facts and science in their work. I brought up a quote by Harlan
Ellison (that led to a ‘I never heard of that” or “no it was Steve Barnes or it
might have been David Brin”—whatever, it was some famous SF writer) “I going to
tell you something that is impossible or unproven or not real, and I expect you
to believe it while I weave this very interesting story.” And so, they gave us
space travel long before Sputnik went up, and (my favorite) wormholes to get to
other galaxies long before they were discovered to only be blood vessel size.
The fantasy writers had a great chuckle out of that one, which gained the
response that it was only a matter of time before WE (get that egomania at
work) figured out how to enlarge them for space craft. And besides, they
argued, that is science at work, not invention from nothing of something
unheard of. Instead of sneering at the fantasy writers they rolled their eyes
at the romance writers, who fought back with the reality of human interaction
and more importantly LOVE.
We mystery
writers (well me) brought up the use of minimal facts, nothing long winded, to
suit a story and it was the historical writers who had a fit over that one. We
all agreed that it was unfair to make up things and call them facts in history
or science, but if history and science are not the main ingredient of the
story, say it is a romance or a mystery, then a light dusting of true facts should
only be needed. Grumbling from SF and History writers, but okay, after all you
are ‘only’ mystery and romance writers. (If only an evil eye could sting like a
wasp.) But we got even by pointing out that historicals and science stories
were far more interesting and not so dry when a bit of of mystery and/or human
romantic relationships were added.
So, as
usual, nothing was accomplished except for all having a very good time. We did settle
on agreeing that if you were going to write cross genre stories, you have to
lead with your main genre when describing the story. A romantic/mystery is
going to be about the romance or developing romance of two people and some kind
of mystery revolves around this love affair. However, if you are writing a
murder mystery that takes place on the moon and two people seem to be
interested romantically in each other then (according to the SF and mystery
writers) it has to be a SF/mystery. The romance writes demanded an explanation.
And the following is a convoluted mash of what SF and mystery came up with. In
the romance/mystery the reader wants to know about the developing love story
and couldn’t care less about solving the mystery, doesn’t look for clues, just
assumes the answer comes at the end as the marriage will. In the mystery on the
moon, SF lovers will probably choose to read it because astronomy and space
travel are involved, they’ll watch for accurate facts, they’ll enjoy the
mystery, look for clues and won’t care a hoot about the romance between the
couple as long as the two protagonists get laid.
What can I
tell you, that was what we came up with. Again, another night of agreeing not
to agree while having another glass of wine. Nobody said we were geniuses, just
writers. Do you worry over getting the facts, science, or history into your
stories? WHY??
Oh and have a Happy, Spooky, Overeating, Good Halloween.
