Ben Sobieck of crimefictionbook.com and author of The Writer's Guide to Weapons was kind enough Part 2 of my guest-post on firearms for fictional characters.  This week, I talk about what kind of guns the bad guys (and girls) are most likely to carry and why. 

Be sure to pick up Ben's book The Writer's Guide to Weapons to delve deep into all the firearm and knife details writer's are dying to understand –well, not literally. 

As I mentioned in my last post, Ben Sobieck was kind enough to have me author two guest-posts on his blog at  crimefictionbook.com.  Today, you can read how your story's Detective would likely figure out which handgun is right for them.

Check in with Ben's blog next week for my next guest-post, where I talk about the other half: the handguns the antagonists (can I just call them badguys?) would likely carry.

If you really want to get into the nitty-gritty details of firearms, ballistics, the actual damage a bullet does, and proper firearms related nomenclature, check out Ben's blog and definitely pick up his book "The Writer's Guide to Weapons."  There is no excuse for a writer to type the words "clicking the safety off his revolver" or "cocking the hammer on his Glock."  If you don't understand why those faux-pas would cause many of your readers to close your book, then Ben's the man to call.  He offers weapons-related technical advising services tailored specifically to fiction authors.  I can't think of a better expert to call!

Where the f%#& have I been?

Writing, honeymoon, wedding, researching, reading, a back log of detective casework.  Not in that order.

It's a good thing we're only supposed to get married once.  I quickly learned taking three weeks off work for a wedding and honeymoon results in three weeks of detective casework piled high on my desk.  I am happy to report that life is now back to normal, whatever that is. 

Benjamin Sobieck is the author of the Writer's Guide to Weaponsas well several crime fiction books.  Ben was kind enough to have me guest post a two-part piece about weapons on his blog, starting later this week.  Ben's work is beyond thorough, and I'd bet on his weapon knowledge over most homicide detectives.  If you are trying to figure out which weapon(s) your characters should carry, pick up Ben's book...right after you read my blog post on Thursday.

I also had the chance to get some great reads in while on my honeymoon.  Most of which were geared toward my own process of learning the craft of writing.  I felt that to be a better technical advisor, I should better understand where you're coming from.

I thought I'd share a few of the titles I read, in hopes they may help your honing of this crazy craft as well (listed in the order I read them.)

1)  "Save the Cat!" by Blake Snyder was recommended to me by some real screenwriter friends of mine.  (It's that whole SoCal thing..you can't swing a baton around here without hitting someone with a script.)  I'm sure many of you are totally aware of this book, but it was new to me.  This is THE (not so) secret formula to Hollywood screenplays.  I know, I know.  You aren't writing a script, you're writing a novel.  Or you arewriting a script, but it isn't one of those lame super commercial scripts that recycle the same story.  You still need to read this book.  There.  I said it.

2)  "A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life" by Brian Grazer & Charles Fishman.  Brian Grazer is the movie producer partner of Ron Howard and co-founder of Imagine Entertainment.  Grazer does a good job explaining the value of curiosity in your daily life and I wholeheartedly agree.  Don't just hide like a hermit in your writey-hole.  Go out and ask questions of the world.  You'll be surprised at the adventures it may lead to and at the stories you'll discover that need telling.

3)  "The Blogger Abides: A Practical Guide to Writing Well and Not Starving" by Chris Higgins.  I want to buy Higgins a beer.  This book is an easy read and is a great primer for developing your "tribe" as a writer. He provides some really good advice, tips and examples all learned through trial and error.

4)  "You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One)" by Jeff Goins.  I've been reading Goins' blog (goinswriter.com) for awhile and I caught his live video interview on Chandler Bolt's selfpublishingsuccesssummit.com.  Goins came across as a genuinely nice guy that's happy share how he built a "tribe" (there's that word again) of readers that propelled him into a successful writing career.

Based on liking what he had to say in his interview, I downloaded "You Are a Writer" yesterday in the Kindle Store for $.99.  I've already consumed a significant portion of the book. 

For the record Your Honor, I purchased all of the books I just mentioned (i.e. they didn't bribe me to write this) and the links are not part of some affiliate marketing thing.  In other words, I do not benefit at all if you decide to buy any of those books.  But you should.  You will benefit.  I did.

Have a great week and remember to check out my guest post on Ben's blog this Thursday!

Adam
@writersdetctive