Fresh Fiction Blog | C.M. Wendelboe | Confession Of A Lazy Writer

I spend hours upon hours in front of the computer screen putting together scenes and working through character interactions; patching plot holes and fleshing out descriptive exposition. But as a mystery writer, I have to confess that I have a lazy streak. Before you hunt me up with the feathers and tar, let me explain.

My career choice was law enforcement, most specifically, as a street officer. I have spoken with other mystery writers and read comments that they rode for several weeks with local police, or weekends with sheriff's personnel; accompanied investigators as they responded to particular crimes, or attend an autopsy. As a street officer, I was one of those officers that people would ride with. For thirty-eight years.

During those years I was fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on how strong your stomach is) to have attended, either as a primary officer, or supervisor, numerous homicides, suicides, and other questionable deaths. In each instance, I was there as an officer first, and as a writer second, mentally collecting and storing everything connected to the scene.

So when I need a victim to turn up dead in a particular manner, I reach into my mental storehouse of death scenes and recreate one fitting my needs. When I write a crime scene, I have been to that crime scene. I have walked through leaking bodily fluids as I investigate the death, waved flies away as I try to work through the circumstances of the victim's demise, stuffed cigarette butts up my nose block the stench. Which never, ever, seemed to work.

As I've worked in most areas of police work, I do not have to research forensics or police procedure or the daily nuts and bolts of law enforcement. I put my writer's cap on auto pilot and write without the hindrances of research, without the need to meet with a police or forensic authorities.

What this does is free me to concentrate on character interactions, using the other major advantage of being a lawman so long: knowing people. Officers deal with law violations, respond to crimes in progress and those occurring in the past, domestic violence and varying accidents. But the bottom line is: police work is about people; people reacting to personal agony, to personal triumphs, to all manner of conflict where people are thrust together. As a lazy writer, I have but to tap into those thirty-eight years as a lawman and pluck appropriate emotions and reactions for my characters.

Lazy, huh? Now when I get an assignment for writing a romance, then I'll have to do my research!

Comments

huh?? what??? I'm confused - but I'd like to win a book. I'm all depressed -- had to let my baby go gentle into that good night ----
(Pamela Faye Howell 3:46pm September 1, 2012)

Looks like an interesting book and I think drawing from years of experience in Law Enforcement will just make your stories all the more real and interesting.
(Pamela Fox 4:07pm September 1, 2012)

I just bet you could write about romance from experience.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 4:29pm September 1, 2012)

Sounds like a interesting book. Love to win it.
(Linda Hall 4:52pm September 1, 2012)

I love mysteries. You book sounds really good. I am sure you have seen many things as an officer.
(Sue Brandes 4:57pm September 1, 2012)

This sounds like one good book to get your hands on. I would love to read it. Thanks for the Contest.
(Cheryl English 4:58pm September 1, 2012)

What you said is true. I have worked as a civilian employee for the police department for awhile. Everything is about people whether they are the victims of crimes or the perpetrators. When I read crime stories, I could pick up whether the authors have done their homework or they making up stuff just to make the stories work.

Looking forward to reading your books.
(Kai Wong 5:24pm September 1, 2012)

No you are not lazy by reaching into your mental storehouse and I am sure you'll be able to reach into your mental storehouse when you decide to write a romance
(Shirley Younger 5:52pm September 1, 2012)

I think it is smart to use your knowledge to write credible scenes. How lucky you are to be able to do that.
(G. Bisbjerg 6:26pm September 1, 2012)

I love mysteries and look forward to reading this book!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 6:37pm September 1, 2012)

Knowing your background, I'm now anxious to read one of your books because I'm sure it will seem authentic.
(Sue Farrell 6:41pm September 1, 2012)

It sounds like you have found a perfect niche -- and it meets rule #1 --- know what you're writing about.
I'm sure your work would be refreshing.
(Renee Grandinetti 7:47pm September 1, 2012)

Looking forward to reading about a Lakota FBI agent.
(Mary C 7:51pm September 1, 2012)

The story line sounds interesting, and it great to read believable police work.
(Sonja Cravener 7:54pm September 1, 2012)

sounds like a great mystery book and would love to read it
(Kimberly Hoefs 7:55pm September 1, 2012)

The work you did was thankless in many ways, but so necessary. It sounds like you were a very caring officer, which nowadays you don't see that often. Too many of them are just after the prestige of the job. Anyway, your background would make for some wonderful and interesting reading. I'm sure in parts it will also make your stomach drop, if only for a second. The cover to your book is great, and I'm looking forward to reading it very much!! Joseph Wambaugh is my favorite crime Author, so if you come anywhere near him with your stories, you'll have a new fan!! Congratulations on your book!! I'm sure it will do well. Any time an Author writes about something they've experienced or know well enough, as in your former employment, it shows, and their books usually skyrocket!!
(Peggy Roberson 8:03pm September 1, 2012)

I really would love to read and win this book!!
(Charlotte Zimmerman 9:22pm September 1, 2012)

I have a lot of respect for our police officers
(Debby Creager 9:25pm September 1, 2012)

Not lazy, taking your own experiences and adding to them make for great stories. I cant wait to read one of your books, now knowing there is a bit of truth to them makes it more interesting. They say truth can be stranger than fiction....
(Deborah Garcia 12:27pm September 2, 2012)

Sounds like a fascinating read - and, no, I don't think you're a lazy writer. You just have too much "stuff" in your head!
(Karen Barnett 4:05am September 2, 2012)

I too would love to win and this book! But the real mystery i what is all the
above garbage about.?
(Nancy Gallagher 5:22am September 2, 2012)

Mmm, the spamming has put me off a sensible reply, sorry. I did enjoy the blog.
(Clare O'Beara 6:31am September 2, 2012)

I like an author who has real life experience. It always shows in their works. (It may be fun to do that romance research).
(Debbie Penny 7:15am September 2, 2012)

I don't think it's lazy. I think it makes prefect sense to write using your expertise.
(Mary Preston 8:07am September 2, 2012)

I wouldn't call it lazy. I would call it writing about what you know. And that means you are less likely to make mistakes in the crime scenes that really irk readers.
(Pam Howell 10:41am September 2, 2012)

WOW LOOKS LIKE ALOT OF PEOPLE VIING FOR THIS ONE!!
(Debbi Shaw 10:48am September 2, 2012)

Like the scenario of this book. Always happy to discover a new series.
(Shari Santella 12:43pm September 2, 2012)

This sounds so creepy! I love mystery's and thriller suspense.
I'm just nervous I'll get the willys so bad I'll get
nightmares of creepers lol
(Candice Duffey 1:02pm September 2, 2012)

what an intriguing lead in to a book - can't wait to read
this!
(Patricia Mangum 1:33pm September 2, 2012)

I love to read suspense, police/firemen/emt books. As long as the book isn't too graphic with gore and don't use God's name as a curse word. Suspense, Amish, Christian fiction are my favorite reads. Would love to win one of your books & try out a new author.
(Pat Moore 4:33pm September 2, 2012)

Not a thing wrong with a little research, just sayin'!

You are fortunate to be able to use your experience and memories, which is probably a good source of therapy.

Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 4:39pm September 2, 2012)

mysteries - my favourite genre, would love to read
(Susan Meikle 4:54pm September 2, 2012)

wow, talk about research - how cool!
(Felicia Ciaudelli 5:20pm September 2, 2012)

I enjoy a good mystery. Sounds like it will be such a book.
(Angelina Daniels-Shaw 7:05pm September 2, 2012)

I am confused with the code talk above but would have to do my research for a romance too!
(Darci Paice 4:02am September 3, 2012)

I spend hours just going through my emails. Between spam, marketing of everything, and my regular emails. Yesterday, I opened my email to my account and found over 800 emails
(Diane McMahon 9:35am September 3, 2012)

Sounds like a really good read, I can't wait to read it.
(Mary Smith 1:10pm September 3, 2012)

The title alone caught my attention! This is something I surely would love to read.
(Angelina Daniels-Shaw 1:56pm September 3, 2012)

I think personal experience as a law officer beats research any day. Your book sounds like it will be a good one.
(Kathleen Bianchi 3:51pm September 3, 2012)

I've led such a boring life, I have to research almost everything. The tough part is knowing what you don't know so you can look it up. Making assumptions about how things works generally means you're getting it wrong.
(Terry Odell 5:17pm September 3, 2012)

A great book has always been a way for me to escape the woes
of he real world. I love a great mystery and a good story
teller, I think I might have just found both with your books
and I look forward to reding them asap.
(Denise Parrett 11:39pm September 3, 2012)

This book has an eye-catching cover and intriguing, attention-getting title and something I'd surely love to read. I'm sure it's good!
(Linda Luinstra 7:25pm September 4, 2012)

Looks like you're steeped in police procedurals and have the background to mine.
(Alyson Widen 2:36pm September 8, 2012)

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