Posted by us202 on October 31, 2005 at 20:52:21:
In Reply to: Reality vs Fantasy posted by Defiant on October 28, 2005 at 00:59:32:
: 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?
I think the answer to your questions are 'yes', 'yes', and 'yes', all
provided on whether the material can carry it. It may be me getting
older, but I'd rather read a story with people I believe exist.
You're right about the smell of oil and vinegar from the half-eaten
sandwich, though. A good writer is able to establish tedium without
boring the reader. Losing part of a case file to an ornery word
processor is useless if it doesn't add anything to the story. But, let's
say that by re-typing it, he uncovers some fact that he missed before,
or if the smell of oil and vinegar reminds him of something he smelled
at the crime scene, the reader gets rewarded both ways: a dose of
realism and the story moves forward.
By the same token, reading "Special Agent Jones gripped his Glock 22
tightly as he kicked the cheap wooden door," would be an equal
inducement for reshelving a book. :-)