KN Magazine: Articles
Drop the Pen! What Every Writer Needs to Know About Real Police Work: Police Batons
In this installment of Drop the Pen!, David Lane Williams explores the history, use, and realities of police batons, offering writers an insider’s perspective on how and when these “less lethal” tools are actually deployed. Blending firsthand experience with practical guidance, the article helps writers portray law enforcement with greater accuracy and nuance.
Making History Relevant to Story without Slowing the Pace
In this craft article, Tori Eldridge explores how writers can seamlessly integrate historical and cultural detail into fiction without slowing the pace. Through practical techniques like embedding history in character genealogy and revealing information at impactful moments, she demonstrates how to enrich storytelling while maintaining momentum and reader engagement.
Drop the Pen! What Every Writer Should Know About Real Police Work: The Bladed Stance: Why Do Cops Stand Like That?
In this installment of Drop the Pen!, David Lane Williams breaks down the “bladed stance,” a subtle but critical detail in real police work. Blending practical insight with storytelling application, the article shows how posture, positioning, and body language reveal both tactical awareness and communication strategy—offering writers an authentic edge when crafting believable law enforcement characters.
Drop the Pen! What Every Writer Should Know About Real Police Work: Garrity Warning
An essential guide for crime and thriller writers explaining the Garrity Warning, how it differs from Miranda, and how understanding real police procedure can raise the stakes, realism, and dramatic tension in crime fiction and true crime narratives.
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
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.
Ten Medical and Forensic Mistakes Writers Should Never Make
Writers often make medical and forensic mistakes that can undermine the credibility of their stories. From the "quick death" to the "instant athlete," this guide outlines common errors in crime writing and how to avoid them.
The Myth of the Five Senses
Should writers really cram all five senses into every page? In this sharp rebuttal to bad writing advice, bestselling author Lois Winston breaks down why less is often more when it comes to sensory detail. Learn how to use the senses effectively—and avoid killing your story’s pacing.
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