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Autumn Writer's Workshop

edited October 2012 in - Resources
Are you unsure about your policing facts?
Are you curious about just how the police really do go about their business and how they solve crimes (or don't)?
Do you want to make your stories realistic?
Do you want hundreds of new ideas for your stories?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions, think about enrolling on the Crime Fiction - Making it Real weekend workshop but hurry as there are only a few places left. It's not just for writers of crime fiction but any author wanting to get their police bits rights.

The workshop runs from 17th to 18th November 2012 at the Premier Inn, Junction 32 (Xscape), Castleford, West Yorkshire.

For more information, visit - http://crimewritingsolutions.wordpress.com/events/autumn-workshop-2012 or contact me at [email protected]

Comments

  • That sound interesting. However if I need info on a crime related plot
    I wander down to see my uncle who was in C.I.D. the only thing is we have this habit of reaching
    for the handy bottle of scotch in the sideboard draw. Well if thats not authentic I don't know what is. :D:
  • Who exactly is it running this workshop and organising this event?

    In all the testimonials, there is no mention of anyone's name as to who is running it.

    I see there is a link to Fiona's website but I can't see any mention on there who this person is or what the link is referring to.

    Also, what does this mean

    [quote=the.writer]wanting to get their police bits rights[/quote]


    what exactly are 'police bits rights'?
  • I'm presuming the person is called Kevin Robinson, an example of which is represented on the site as NOt being 'me' ie the person writing...
  • VivViv
    edited October 2012
    Sorry, the-writer, but you have been registered on talkback for more than 9 months and have only ever started 2 discussions - both to advertise workshops. Please don't use talkback as free advertising without properly taking part in this forum.
  • My thoughts exactly, Viv. It's just down the road from me and though I could do with some 'crime' background, I haven't £160 spare to listen about the history and the future of the police.
  • As well as the points Viv mentioned, and I agree with Dora, your pitch is poor and details vague.
  • [quote=Viv]Sorry, the-writer, but you have been registered on talkback for more than 9 months and have only ever started 2 discussions - both to advertise workshops. Please don't use talkback as free advertising without properly taking part in this forum.[/quote]
    Just to add some official weight to this, the.writer. We don't like spam, but are really rather tolerant of publicity pushes from people who do get involved with the forum. I think if any of us "knew" you through previous comments, it would also add to your credibility.
  • pbwpbw
    edited October 2012
    Would the anonymous police officer please step forward?
    The link to "Fiona's website" which sounds suspiciously like mine...as mentioned by dora. I think it's only fair to mention that I have had a brief correspondance with Kevin a few months ago, in which he gave me some very helpful pointers in specific aspects of procedure for dealing with a drugged person.

    The expertise is there, and really excellent. Maybe the writer is not practised in the business of online etiquette, in which case he can easily rectify that by hanging around here on the forum, with us, from time to time, ideally in the bar.

    Mine's a G & T, thank you.
  • Oh dear I seem to have caused a bit of offence, which was never my intention.

    Thank you Webbo for your intervention and constructive guidance.

    Liz and PaperbackWriter - you are correct (and I would like to add that the advice was free of charge).

    SusieM - If you don't know where policing is going, any novel written based on today's information will be outdated and may be inaccurate by the time the book is published in a few month's/year's time. Also that is one element of what the workshop may contain as it is very much built around each delegates' needs.

    Carol - this wasn't a sales pitch. It was notification to anyone that may benefit from the forthcoming opportunity. People do not have to feel any compulsion to attend or even visit my website.

    For further clarification let me add -

    I am a retired police officer with over 30 year’s experience in policing both in and out of uniform. I’ve worked rural, urban and city beats in England.

    I’ve taught cops how to be better cops. I’ve provided specialist technical support and advice to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Eurocustoms as part of their anti-drugs and organised crime programmes and projects.

    I hold a Masters in Forensic and Legal Psychology through which I have provided specialist support in complex, serious and serial crimes such as robbery, rape, murder and terrorist related activities.
    I’ve also designed and delivered numerous policing courses and written assorted manuals and user guides aimed at investigators and crime intelligence analysts.

    I am happy to support writers through providing technical information about the police, their procedures and policies. I have already done this for crime writer Peter Robinson (not even a distant relative), which he acknowledged in his 19th novel Bad Boy (Hodder 2010 - page 431) as well as other less well known published and yet to be published authors (not all of whom are writers of crime fiction). Other than those that chose to attend the first workshop, no fees have been sought or paid.

    I run weekend workshops for writers wanting to know more about the police and criminals and how both work or don't.

    You can find more information about me and what I can do for you at – http://crimewritingsolutions.wordpress.com

    Or you can always just e-mail me at [email protected]
  • [quote=the.writer]Oh dear I seem to have caused a bit of offence,[/quote]

    Not with me. I looked at your site and have Tweeted about the workshop.
  • I'm not offended either. :)

    Just wasn't sure who was running it or who'd organised it as it wasn't particularly clear.

    Still not entirely sure about these police bits though. Are they a bit like chicken bits ie chicken breast in batter?

    :)

    Good luck with the workshop.
  • Thanks for clarifying the.writer.
    Hope you will spend a little time here, so we can get to know you better.

    The board has often suffered from people signing up only to promote their book/workshop/website etc and never returning, which was why you faced the response you did from some of us.
  • Thanks everyone - I feel much more welcome now and hope that I can help some of you in the future.

    Baggy Books - thanks for the tweets.

    Dora - I take it you are playing with me so will decline to bite any bits, be they chicken, beef or police.
  • I wasn't offended either - but I totally take on board the views of others that one should participate in a forum - thus gaining friends, help, support - and offering the same.

    I'd join you if you weren't so far ooop norf :)

    What is your tweet name? I'm more than happy to help with your exposure. I'm on suzie_warren - if you find me first do let me know who you are :)
  • [quote=SuzieW]What is your tweet name? I'm more than happy to help with your exposure[/quote]

    Same here - @ReadReviewed
  • Apologies to SuzieW and Baggy Books for not coming back sooner but I have been away.

    Thanks for the offers but I am a social networking novice and haven't managed to get to Twitter yet let alone start using it but it was kind of you regardless.
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