KN Magazine: Articles
Drop the Pen! What Every Writer Should Know About Real Police Work: Why Cops Yell Sometimes—The OODA Loop Phenomenon
In this informative and eye-opening article, David Williams—veteran officer and SWAT medic—explains the psychology behind why police officers raise their voices in high-stakes situations. Through real-life stories and expert insight, he introduces the OODA Loop and explores how understanding this decision-making model can improve both writing and real-world de-escalation.
Police and Bribes
Corruption is a painful reality in policing—and fertile ground for thriller and mystery writers. In Police and Bribes, former officer D.L. Williams explores the psychology, pressures, and rationalizations that turn good cops bad, offering essential insight for writers crafting authentic, morally complex characters.
Drop the Pen! What Every Writer Should Know About Real Police Work: Six Terms Writers Tend to Get Wrong About Police Work
Want your crime fiction to sound authentic? In this sharp and informative guide, D.L. Williams breaks down six of the most commonly confused criminal justice terms—like jail vs. prison and parole vs. probation—to help writers get the lingo right and elevate their storytelling.
Drop the Pen! What Every Writer Should Know About Real Police Work: You Have the Right to Learn About the Miranda Warning
Writers, stop winging police dialogue. If your cop character is cuffing suspects, they’d better know when (and how) to use the Miranda Warning. Here’s what every writer needs to get right about real-world police procedure—and why it matters.
Drop the Pen! What Every Writer Should Know About Real Police Work
Writers often bend the rules of law enforcement for the sake of storytelling—but understanding real-world search warrants can help you break the rules with purpose. In this post, we take a deep dive into how search warrants actually work, so your mystery or thriller stays legally sound (or knowingly rebellious).
Drop the Pen! What Every Writer Should Know About Real Police Work
A retired detective turned writer reveals the most common mistakes authors make when writing cops—and how to avoid them. From evidence mishandling to Hollywood tropes, here’s how to get it right and honor the real work behind the badge.
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