You Are The Detective: Improving Your Writing Crime Investigations

Description

June 3-28 Murder One

You Are The Detective: Improving Your Writing Crime Investigations

Instructor: Wesley Harris

Workshop Blurb: Follow an actual murder case to improve your crime fiction writing

Workshop Description: This course will provide an opportunity for you to play detective and solve an actual murder while improving your crime fiction skills. Harris will present an actual murder case scene by scene over the length of the course as YOU attempt to identify the person or persons who brutally murdered Mary Davis, an elementary school teacher, in her home.

You will learn why believability and realism when using crime and criminal procedures in your fiction is so important. We will discuss how to write police actions and criminal procedures plausibly and realistically, crafting a story that includes a strong case that will withstand legal scrutiny. What skills do your detectives need? What equipment? Catching the bad guy is only part of the battle—you must also build a case that can be won at trial. Improper interrogations, illegal searches and seizures, and other missteps can result in the courts freeing your suspect.

Our scenario is based on an actual murder with all its twists and turns, a handful of suspects, several crime scenes, and determined cops intent on catching a killer. With each scene, Harris will point out the legal procedures necessary to build a winning case. Along the way, you will play detective yourself as you attempt to identify the culprit. To hone your writing skills, you will complete brief writing exercises on turning the formal “legalese” of sterile police reports into compelling fiction. Will the villain be the obvious suspect or someone totally unexpected? Join us and find out.

Instructor’s Bio: In addition to a law enforcement career spanning over 40 years, Wesley Harris has written professionally for over three decades, authoring several books and many articles on police procedure and American history. His work has appeared in national magazines like POLICE, Law Officer, Law & Order, Wild West and America’s Civil War. He serves on the criminal justice faculty of the University of Phoenix. In addition to providing consulting and editing services to writers, Harris is an experienced online instructor. His police career included many death investigations and successful murder prosecutions.