Or doing what they’ve done, or going to do what they already did, or …
Have you done what your characters have done or will do? Will you soon be doing what they already did?
Even in the universe of fiction I found that engaging in the activity makes it far easier to write about it.
The underlying theme in my mind, as I write, is the simple standard of ‘is this plausible and if it isn’t how and where do I introduce earlier elements to make it plausible?’.
It doesn’t have to be real, just plausible. (though there is one plot device where I’m intentionally using actual results to make the point, just changing the names involved)
Is it plausible to swim with a shark? Lot’s of stories and videos abound online of doing so. But to have actually experienced it?
I did.
Twice, in one scuba dive. I talk about it HERE. That Blacktip shark was right there, not even 15 feet away.
My main character in the Distance In Time series, The Chairman, was a competition shooter in his youth. I’ve done that and keep at it every now and then.
The Chairman is a pilot. I’ve flown planes, performed landings, steep turns, aerobatics …
The character’s wife, Michelle, is a computer genius. Am I? No, but I’m familiar with code, with the concept of how it works, the meaning behind the code format. Expert? No. But enough where I can write about it.
I still have to skydive though. Yeah, the Chairman has done that also 😀
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Dan Passaro 