Photo courtesy of : google & ninelin.es

It’s an old saying that’s inspired many a story. The problem can come, however, when the plot line or a particular scene is unbelievable to the general audience. On the Premises talks about this very thing in their latest newsletter.

A good example is my own background. I spent the better part of my life in the nursing profession. Medical people have a language of their own and, to this day, I still use many medical abbreviations and terminology. It’s second nature to me, a habit and  the average person, outside of medicine, don’t understand.

Photo courtesy of: google and pixgood.com

Now, picture the average reader. If I’m going to write a book or story involving medicine, I must be careful to write the story that’s  believable and  understandable to the general audience of readers. Otherwise, they’ll stop reading and or run for a dictionary. Either way, I’ve pulled them put of the story and most likely lost them as a reader.

Do the necessary homework and research when writing, but be cautious. You don’t want the readers eyes to glaze over from info dumps.

Remember the words of Mark Twain.

“Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t.”― Mark Twain

Thanks to On the Premises for this gentle reminder to keep it real or at least believable when we write. Be sure to check out their website for more writing tips and contests.

What do you think?