Originally this was intended for urban fantasy (UF) authors, but many people have pointed out it has implications for more than just one sub-genre. Hence, title revised accordingly.
[ETA: some folks have told me the tone is arrogant, so it might help to remember that this was written with a great deal of annoyance running beneath the surface -- aimed at writers who get it wrong even in really simple things. ALSO: this post isn't applicable to all cities, or even all countries; ie, if your country doesn't allow private citizens to own guns, then there are parts that won't apply. That doesn't make my words automatically wrong; it just makes them inapplicable. Take what works and leave the rest, because everyone's experiences and mileage will vary -- and for alternate perspectives, I recommend scanning the comments for what others had to say about their own experiences.]
This is due to a long -- and I mean long -- conversation with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
difrancis last night, because when the semi-annual phone mood hits me, it takes a good four hours before it's out of my system and I'm ready for another three to six months of email only. I even killed my phone, no really, how's that for dedication to a conversation? Anyway, in the various tangents of the conversation, we hit on a few points that I think some urban fantasy authors might benefit from...
Let me rephrase. We hit on a few points that I know some [not just urban/cont fantasy] authors would find useful. I've read their books and there's major lack of vérité. But either no one is willing (or knowledgeable? can't be that, I hope) to knock the authors with a reality check, or the authors just haven't realized how much they need it and to take it when offered.
Dear author: this will hurt you more than it hurts me, but if any point o' mine might apply to something you've written... then it probably does. Pay attention; it's for your own good. Love, me.
( 1a. It's not enough to just shoot the gun: understand why a person prefers one gun over another. )
( 1b. A weapon is a personal thing, not a random choice, and the choice has significance. )
( 2. There are rules at the fringes of society. They're just the opposite of your rules. )
( 3. Never, ever forget the economics: things cost money. )
( 4. Know the law: because the character sure as hell would. )
( 5. When the economics fail, the solution tells me a lot. )
( 6. Things don't just take up space; it's how we perceive them in our space, too. )
( 7. Everything has a price: there's no such thing as a gift. )
8. ...I forget what eight was for.
( 9. Understanding politics may save your ass, but ignorance will eat it alive. )
continue to part II
[ETA: some folks have told me the tone is arrogant, so it might help to remember that this was written with a great deal of annoyance running beneath the surface -- aimed at writers who get it wrong even in really simple things. ALSO: this post isn't applicable to all cities, or even all countries; ie, if your country doesn't allow private citizens to own guns, then there are parts that won't apply. That doesn't make my words automatically wrong; it just makes them inapplicable. Take what works and leave the rest, because everyone's experiences and mileage will vary -- and for alternate perspectives, I recommend scanning the comments for what others had to say about their own experiences.]
This is due to a long -- and I mean long -- conversation with
difrancis last night, because when the semi-annual phone mood hits me, it takes a good four hours before it's out of my system and I'm ready for another three to six months of email only. I even killed my phone, no really, how's that for dedication to a conversation? Anyway, in the various tangents of the conversation, we hit on a few points that I think some Let me rephrase. We hit on a few points that I know some [not just urban/cont fantasy] authors would find useful. I've read their books and there's major lack of vérité. But either no one is willing (or knowledgeable? can't be that, I hope) to knock the authors with a reality check, or the authors just haven't realized how much they need it and to take it when offered.
Dear author: this will hurt you more than it hurts me, but if any point o' mine might apply to something you've written... then it probably does. Pay attention; it's for your own good. Love, me.
( 1a. It's not enough to just shoot the gun: understand why a person prefers one gun over another. )
( 1b. A weapon is a personal thing, not a random choice, and the choice has significance. )
( 2. There are rules at the fringes of society. They're just the opposite of your rules. )
( 3. Never, ever forget the economics: things cost money. )
( 4. Know the law: because the character sure as hell would. )
( 5. When the economics fail, the solution tells me a lot. )
( 6. Things don't just take up space; it's how we perceive them in our space, too. )
( 7. Everything has a price: there's no such thing as a gift. )
8. ...I forget what eight was for.
( 9. Understanding politics may save your ass, but ignorance will eat it alive. )
continue to part II