This week: Espionage for writers Edited by: vzabel
More Newsletters By This Editor 
 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
Several years ago, I took part in the Muse Online Writers Conference, and D.S. Kane (http://swiftshadow.com/) had a workshop on how to write about espionage realistically. The information I gained from that workshop will be helpful in some of my upcoming work, and I hope you'll find some of what I share will aid you, too.
I miss the Muse Online Writers Conference, but I still often use some of the information gained in my writing to this day.
|
Getting Started with Intelligence Agencies
To begin writing a military or spy thriller, an author needs to have some knowledge of intelligence agencies.
D.S. Kane listed ten intelligence agencies in the United States: CIA, NSA,FBI, DIA, NCIS, ATF, DEA, NRO, ONI, U.S. Marshals. He said he knows of sixteen, even though he didn't list that many. One that he didn't know about, and that I do because of my research for my work-in-progress (WIP), is the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), the Air Force equivalent to NCIS.
Of course other nations have their intelligence agencies, too, such as AFI (intelligence branch of the Israeli Air Force), The Mossad (Israel's "secret" service), MI-6 (Great Britain), and the former KGB (former Soviet Union).
The more one knows about the intelligence agencies used in writing fiction, the more believable the writing is. Research is vital. I would suggest to begin with D.S. Kane (http://swiftshadow.com/) before going to some of the following works, just a short list of possibilites:
John Perkins, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
John LeCarre, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Thomas Gordon, Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad
Peter Wright, Spy Catcher: The Candid Autobiography of a Senior Intelligence Officer
Thank you, D.S. Kane for information to help writers be better writers.
I don't often recommend TV shows as sources of information, but the shows about many military shows and government agencies gives a fictional glimpse into espionage and intelligence agencies. Those glimpses can give starting ideas for research. Never be afraid of research to make writing believable. |
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Words from Our Readers
jcosmos
thanks for doing this. Useful advice. Perhaps in a future posting you can discuss how to get started blogging. I have had a blog for a few years and finally am getting notice but getting started in hard for a lot of people. I use word press which is not the most user friendly. I tried google blog but decided to stick with what I know. thanks again.
Blogging isn't my forte. The only way I know to start is to start.
katieam83
Thank you for writing this news letter. Marketing is not something I'm good at but I do enjoy. So I will put these ideas in action ASAP!
I hope they help.
lilli_in_fl
Great tips! Thanks for the info!
I'm glad to help.
ajmorgan4db7
Vivian, in your first bullet, you recommend generating buzz and fan support before publishing. I do not have a big social media following, so where are other places one can start?
Since most buzz is generated through social media, you will need to build that media following. If you can get newspaper interest, TV and radio interest, public appearances, then those may suffice.
Thanks for joining me this issue. I hope we're back together again next month.
Viv |
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
For Authors: August 11, 2021 Issue [#10916]
