Crime Writer's Resource

Crime Writers Resource

In the Crime Writers Resource page I’ve compiled links that contain everything a crime writer might need to create factually correct stories. I’ve also added in-depth craft resources, blogs, and more. Many contain information for all writers — fiction or non-fiction — regardless of genre.

You can reach the Crime Writers Resource from anywhere in the site with one click, in the main menu bar, or at the top of the page. If you find the Crime Writers Resource helpful, please help spread the word. If you’d prefer to get a taste of the goodies you’ll find here, read the post with the same name, Crime Writers Resource.

Crime Writers Resource by Sue Coletta

 

Crime Writers’ Resource

Homicide Detective Checklist: nmsoh.org/homicide_investigator_…

Crime Scene Forensics: crimescene-forensics.com/Crime_S…

Burglary Investigations: http://crimeandclues.com/2013/01/26/burglary-investigations/2/

Violent crime analysis — MO, signature, staging, and more: http://crimeandclues.com/2013/01/26/violent-crime-scene-analysis-modus-operandi-signature-and-staging/#more-40

Criminals — The sexual sadist: http://crimeandclues.com/2013/01/26/the-criminal-sexual-sadist/

Forensics — From determining death to crime scene analysis to rate of decomp, this site has it all: http://www.exploreforensics.co.uk/

The Writers’ Forensic Blog: writersforensicsblog.wordpress.com

FBI Information on Serial Killers: fbi.gov/stats-services/publicati…

Forensic Outreach: http://www.forensicoutreach.com/

A Simplified Guide To Forensic Documentation:  http://www.forensicsciencesimplified.org/docs/how.html

FBI Forensic Ink Analysis:

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/lab/forensic-science-communications/fsc/july2005/research/2005_07_research02.htm/

Glass Fracture Patterns:

https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/241445.pdf

Forensic Science Simplified by D.P. Lyle, MD: http://www.forensicsciencesimplified.org/index.htm

Analyzing Ballistic Evidence: http://www.amazon.com/ANALYZING-BALLISTIC-EVIDENCE-Investigator-ebook/dp/B004YWK9Q0/

Crime Scene Investigation http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/index.html

Here’s an eye-opening post by Garry Rodgers entitled Mortis: Understanding Body Changes After Death

Jordan Dane wrote an excellent post with more research links. Which you can find HERE.

Everything you want to know about psychological issues, includes sections on the criminally insane. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders. Psychopaths and sociopaths are lumped into one category, Antisocial Behaviors. This manual is commonly referred to as DSM-4 by psychiatrists, especially while testifying in court. Here’s the link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSM-IV_codes#Dissociative_disorders

UPDATE: The DSM-5 is out. Here’s the link:  http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx

Experts in the field willing to answer questions for crime writers, who are bestselling crime writers themselves.

Garry Rodgers, veteran mounted police/homicide detective/coroner/firearms expert: www.dyingwords.net And here’s a link to his resource page: http://dyingwords.net/crime-writing-resources/#sthash.Hla7xwP5.dpbs

Gary released How To Write Deadly Crime Fiction (<-FREE) and How to Self-Edit Deadly Crime Fiction. I edited these guides, and gave my two-cents here and there. The first guide is mainly for aspiring writers; the second guide has advice from numerous industry professionals.

Lee Lofland, veteran officer/homicide detective/K9 handler/sniper:  www.leelofland.com

Criminal Justice Writers:

criminaljusticewriters.com/

Crime Writers Detective – Adam (no last name – works w/Major Crimes Div.) http://www.writersdetective.com. Adam has a new 5 week course for crime writers. The first session is free: Writers Detective 5-week Course.

Need help with weapons? Ben Sobieck, author of Writers Guide to Weapons, can help. http://www.crimefictionbook.com

Did you know the FBI will help you craft believable characters, answer questions, basically assist you with anything you need? They certainly will.

And here’s the link:

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2008/october/a-guide-for-writers-authors-and-producers-1

Does your detective live in the UK? Here are some helpful resources you: http://rebeccabradleycrime.com/2015/11/23/researching-policing-for-crime-novels/

 

Writer’s Knowledge Base — A search engine for writers, links compiled by Elizabeth Spann Craig. You might have seen her Twitterific Links on Fridays. This is where those links are stored. For writers of any genre, from writing tips to getting published to promoting your book, if you’ve got a question, try here first: http://hiveword.com/wkb/search

Excellent resources for writers of any genre — tips, tricks, techniques, in-depth look at the craft of storytelling, and more…

The Kill Zone, an award-winning blog dedicated to helping writers: https://killzoneblog.com 

USA Today Bestselling Author Jordan Dane has a section on her website for writers. Click any title and the post will open. Here’s the link: http://jordandane.com/for-writers/  

http://writeonsisters.com/ (a blog dedicated to craft)

http://colettesartor.com/writers-resources/ (this resource is chalk-full of info.)

Have you always wanted to write a novel but don’t know where to start? Bridget at Now Novel is an excellence resource, for the beginner to the seasoned. She provides tips, motivation, shares experiences on how to turn your book into a movie, anything and everything is available on her site–even Oprah stamped her approval!

http://www.nownovel.com/blog/

Want to build your own website? Here’s a step-by-step guide: https://firstsiteguide.com/make-website/ 

Interested in a Criminal Justice degree? Perhaps your hero is a student who investigates crimes. If so, check out their career options: https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/career-options-for-criminal-justice-majors/ 

Best craft books, IMO:

Story Engineering and Story Physics by Larry Brooks

Story Fix: Transform Your Story From Broken to Brilliant by Larry Brooks

Blake Synder’s Save the Cat!

How To Write Dazzling Dialogue by James Scott Bell

The Last Fifty Pages by James Scott Bell

On Writing by Stephen King

Screenwriting by Syd Field

Write Your Novel From the Middle by James Scott Bell

Getting into Character: Seven Secrets A Novelist Can Learn From Actors  by Brandilyn Collins

http://www.storyfix.com (Larry Brooks’ website/blog — a must for all writers)

http://www.storygrid.com (Shawn Coyle’s website/blog — to delve deep into storytelling)

Larry Brooks’ ebookstore is now open, with craft books ranging from .99 – $2.99. To view go here: http://storyfix.com/the-storyfix-com-ebookstore

Getting into Character: Seven Secrets Novelists Can Learn From Actors by Brandilyn Collins.

More Resources…

The Kill Zone

https://killzoneblog.com

Writers Helping Writers’ Resource Page

http://writershelpingwriters.net/resources-for-writers/

Fiona Quinn’s Thrill Writing – A wealth of info. for crime writers

http://thrillwriting.blogspot.com/

My blogging bible, Blog it!, authored by Molly Greene, who has a site filled with excellent advice on blogging, writing, reviews, you name it and she has it.

Struggling with understanding passive voice? I wrote a post about it. Passive Voice Unmasked!

Do you write historical fiction from the flapper era? This site is like stepping back in time: http://www.theoldshelter.com

A student’s guide to forensic science, which is awesome! The post includes links for various forensic techniques; a plethora of information. Here’s the link: https://onlinenursing.regiscollege.edu/msn-to-doctor-of-nursing-practice/a-students-guide-to-forensic-science/  

Looking for a career in forensic science? Online courses: https://online.maryville.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/forensic-psychology/

Here are a few posts by yours truly that might help. Feel free to browse the site for more articles.

Pinch Points in Fiction Writing

How To Craft A One-Page Synopsis

Story Structure In a Nutshell (how it relates to our lives)

How To Write A Killer Hook

Show v. Tell In Deep POV

Brand Building on Social Media

Make your story sizzle. Grammar Check has an excellent infograph on substitutes for boring words: http://www.grammarcheck.net/boring-words/ 

Interested in writing a series? Check out our group post by all members of the Kill Zone; it covers all aspects of series writing: https://killzoneblog.com/2019/01/tkz-members-weigh-in-on-series-writing.html

Just beginning your writing journey? Here’s a Resource Guide to Writing Basics

Because I’m slowly converting the urls on old posts, if you come across a link in one of the posts that sends you to “can’t find page,” simply type the title into the search box and you will be directed to the post. Thank you.

Crime Podcasts

An all FBI-related podcast. Jerri also has resources for writers on her site. http://jerriwilliams.com/hello/podcast-2/

There are over 18.5 million podcast episodes available on iTunes. In 2021 over 57 percent of the US population listened to a podcast, and over 100 million people listened to a podcast every week. As podcasts continue to proliferate, true crime has seen a huge surge in popularity as a genre: Top True Crime & Forensics Podcasts (2022)

If you aren’t already following this blog, subscribe to new posts via the pop-up or sidebar.

Searching for a way to commit murder? Get your copy of 60 Ways to Murder Your Fictional Characters. <– Click for a sneak peek of what you’ll find inside. Only 99c on Amazon.

 

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