Posted by Defiant on October 28, 2005 at 00:59:32:
Authors often receive critical reviews filled with phrases like “gritty realism.”
Does anybody really want “realism” in their thrillers? Would you REALLY want a cop drama where every case took months or years to solve? Where trials could take MONTHS, and be filled with dozens of witnesses talking about “Chain of Custody” issues?
For example:
“Gritty Realism:”
Special Agent Jones gripped his Glock 22 tightly as he kicked the cheap wooden door. The brittle doorframe splintered with a loud bang, and Jones rushed into the room, clearing from left to right. The smell of urine and feces was powerful, and Jones instinctively found himself holding his breath. He forced himself to relax and breathe normally.
The room was empty, but for a stained, torn mattress and ragged, dirty clothes. On the far wall, a closet door was open just a crack – enough for someone to peek out at him. Jones trained his sights on a spot right about where he imagined someone might be standing…
“FBI! Search Warrant! Come out with your hands up!” The volume of his own voice startled him, and he hesitated, listening for any movement. Creeping closer and closer to the door, he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up.
He reached for the doorknob and…
Realism:
Special Agent Jones sat at his desk, gripping his computer mouse tightly as he attempted to complete his Inspection interrogatory from HeadQuarters. The block of text he’d been writing vanished suddenly, and Jones slammed his fist on the keyboard. The smell of oil and vinegar from his half-eaten Subway Club was powerful, and Jones felt his stomach rumble. He forced himself not to take another bite.
The document was now empty, but for the case-file number and the word “Pending.” At the bottom of the page, a three-column table was highlighted – right where his case summary should be. Jones positioned his fingers over the Shift and Insert keys – praying that the clipboard was still full…
“Mother F&%#er!” The volume of his voice across the office startled him, and he shrunk down in his chair, hoping no one would notice. Across the office, heads poked out over their cubicles, searching for the sound.
Jones reached for his roll of Tums and…
So my question is: do people really want “Realism” in their novels, or just something written cleverly enough to SEEM real?