Would you do this?

[Tabris]

I need to research how a particular job works. It's individual state-by-state and although this particular job title exists all over the country and they have similar responsibilities, they're all a little different in how they handle things, what department they're under, etc.

On this particular state's website, they have a phone number you can call for media enquiries, and they say they also handle calls from the public. Would you call and say "Hi! I'm doing research for a novel, which will be set in a fictional city in your state, and I was wondering if you could answer three questions for me about how this job is handled? It won't take longer than ten minutes."

The idea scares the heck out of me. My brother, who's a cop, told me to just walk into my local office and offer to take someone to lunch. That scares me more.

So far I haven't found a blog written by any of these guys. Maybe I'll keep looking for that instead...

[AnyaHarker]

If they have a number to take calls from the public, that's what I'd do. Just say you're writing a novel and need research and was wondering if there was someone who would be willing to talk to you.

And drink a big shot of *your drink of choice* both before and after to calm the nerves. ;^)

[newday11]

  I would in a heartbeat! As a special agent, my official designation was intelligence research specialist. Want me to call them?

[Tabris]

Newday, I'm an unintelligent research generalist. 

[bodwen]

I've done this.  A lot of my novel involved the inner workings of the criminal justice system, and I didn't want to rely on internet and Hollywood.

1)  I find email works best.  Start off by emailing the media rep and explain that you are a writer working on a novel and might they help you if you put together a list of questions.  They will probably be happy to do so, or else refer you to someone who can.

2)  Put together your list of questions.  Be VERY thoughtful of how your question will be perceived and interpretted.  If your novel is about a blackmailer I won't just ask "How many women have sued your department for sexual harassment, and how many of them did you think were lying?"  A question like that might put them off helping you entirely.  Nobody wants to assist in their own smear campaign.  It's better to explain what you're trying to do with your plots and characters and ask if it's feasible.  If not, don't be afraid to ask for suggestions.  I moped after a detective told me a major plot point in my novel just wouldn't work in real life, until I told that to a prision warden who proposed a loophole...

3)  Thank them, but do NOT surprise them with a dedication or an acknowledgement in your novel.  No matter how nice they were.  You won't believe the things people could get in trouble for nowadays.  They might just get them sued or fired if something they told you was "off the record."  Not saying you can't or shouldn't.  But if you'd like to thank them in your novel, ask first, stating that you understand that such acknowlement might go against company policy.

[Midwest]

I'd totally do this. As someone else upthread suggested, just ask if there's someone there willing to talk to you. If there's not, they should have no trouble telling you no. If there is, you're golden.

I agree w/ bodwen about having a list of questions that are specific to your ms, along the lines of, "Would it be realistic for someone to ...?"

I did a ton of research on a certain disease for my ms and although I thought I had it right, I wanted to confirm that the way I was portraying it in my ms was realistic. I found an expert online, emailed her to ask if she'd be interested in talking to me, and she said yes. I arranged to call her and before the call, I made a detailed grid showing the plot points that related to the disease and the specific questions I had about each. For almost every plot point, my question was along the lines of, "Does that make sense for someone with this disease?" Because I had done a ton of homework beforehand, the expert ended up simply confirming many of my questions. But for some, she had some fantastic insights that I never would've gained just reading texts about the disease; certain of her insights were the exact opposite of what I'd read online, in fact (and I changed quite a few details in the book based on what she told me). She seemed thrilled to set me straight on a few things; I think she wanted to know that the disease would be represented properly--although she and I did have a discussion about how I might rely on artistic license here and there.

If you're already published (I think you are?) they might be even more willing to talk to you. I was not, and in my initial email, I made that clear, and said that her chat with me could of course be a complete waste of time if my ms never got published. I didn't want her to think I was some Jodi Picoult type, and talking to me would somehow make the expert famous.

BTW, I sent her a handwritten card after our chat, and she emailed to tell me it had made her day. I think there are certain people who are so dedicated to their work that they're excited when someone shows an interest in their work and expertise. You might find someone like that at the state agency. The fact that there's a number for questions from the public suggests there's at least someone there who's used to, willing to and/or paid for answering questions--that's a great start. Good luck, and please let us know how it goes! 

[Cedar Mountain]

I work for a guv'ment agency in my state (CT) and quite often the easiest way for me to get information like that is use an opening like this:

"Hi, my name is G. B. Miller and I work for the Dept of.....here in H, CT and I have a question about a particular issue and I was hoping that you can help me, or at the very least, point in the direction of someone who can."

One problem that you might encounter while doing your research is that some state agencies are quite anal about giving out certain information to the general public, no matter if they're suppose to or not.

And I agree that a short thank you card can go very far should you need to revisit that particular agency again for additional information.

[Chandara]

I'd try to find a front line worker and do the lunch thing. Or even a phone conversation, or calling an intake line. It's hard since I'm not sure what department your inquiring about. Your media folks will paint a pretty picture while the front line staff will, um, probably tell you the truth.   =)

Liz

[JeanneG]

I've talked to tons of strangers when researching my fiction. You'd be surprised and amazed at how easily doors open when you say, "I'm a writer who is researching a book about..." People who are experts in obscure fields are flattered that you're interested in their work and want to share their knowledge. (Sometimes they give you way too much information!) 

True story: When I was researching the effects of datura, I wanted to know what it would smell like and what the leaves felt like. The stuff grows wild in parts of the desert, but I didn't have the time to go looking for it. So I called a local botanical garden and spoke to one of the expert gardeners. I told him what I needed to know and why. He asked, "You want to know what it tastes like, too?"

I said well, yes, but I was hoping he had some documentation on that. I didn't expect him to go taste the leaves. They are, after all, highly hallucinogenic.

He said to give him about 20 minutes, and he'd call me back. Next thing I know he's telling me all about his experience of "tasting" datura leaves, how they smell like mustard up close and burn the tongue and back of the throat. Whoa! He gave me some very explicit details--much more than I needed--but it did prove useful. Of course, I promised not to thank him publicly for his help. It--uh--could cost him his job.

I've also spoken to zookeepers about the scent of lion urine (long story there), uranium miners about their jobs in the mines, doctors about certain diseases, and historians, librarians, archivists, government officials, etc. I usually just make a cold call asking for the best person who could answer my specific questions. I've never had anyone be rude or turn me down. And I often get information I never expected. People share their personal experiences as well as their knowledge.

As others have mentioned, I always send a thank you note afterward.

Go for it, Tabris. That first brief interview will take you places you never anticipated.

JeanneG

[ChokeCherry]

Oh -  This reminds me of something my husband had to do years ago (but not from an author aspect) He needed to ask several companies five questions, but knew they'd never be willing to answer him since he was doing this for his company (horribly complicated, but that's not the point)

Anywho - I called for him, claiming I was a student at such and such a college, and needed the information for a research paper. The people on the phone were overly helpful and friendly! A little bit of a lie, I know    But got great results.

(Even us good girls have our dark secrets...)

[CourtneyBuc]

Social Engineering is the art of deceiving employees into giving out seemingly innocuous information that can be used against the company or its clients, contractors, etc. The ruse many S.E.s use is that they are writing a book.

Many front line employees are trained to never answer these types of requests and will just shut you down, so don't take it personally if that happens.

If you know someone, that would be the person to use to have them give someone at a division a heads-up that you will be contacting them and that you are an OK person. Otherwise, be sure to tell the person HOW you got their name, ask if there is some dept. or person they could direct you to for these types of questions.

Offering to send them email of your specific questions (so they can get approved and the person is removed from responsibility / indemnity) is a great idea, as is providing YOUR information and contact details so they can verify you are who you say you are.

[bodwen]

Social Engineering is the art of deceiving employees into giving out seemingly innocuous information that can be used against the company or its clients, contractors, etc. The ruse many S.E.s use is that they are writing a book.

Many front line employees are trained to never answer these types of requests and will just shut you down, so don't take it personally if that happens.

Yep.  This is why it's important to approach them through the media rep.  And why you need to be very careful in framing your questions.

[LateToTheParty]

I've done this.  A lot of my novel involved the inner workings of the criminal justice system, and I didn't want to rely on internet and Hollywood.

1)  I find email works best.  Start off by emailing the media rep and explain that you are a writer working on a novel and might they help you if you put together a list of questions.  They will probably be happy to do so, or else refer you to someone who can.

2)  Put together your list of questions.  Be VERY thoughtful of how your question will be perceived and interpretted.  If your novel is about a blackmailer I won't just ask "How many women have sued your department for sexual harassment, and how many of them did you think were lying?"  A question like that might put them off helping you entirely.  Nobody wants to assist in their own smear campaign.  It's better to explain what you're trying to do with your plots and characters and ask if it's feasible.  If not, don't be afraid to ask for suggestions.  I moped after a detective told me a major plot point in my novel just wouldn't work in real life, until I told that to a prision warden who proposed a loophole...

3)  Thank them, but do NOT surprise them with a dedication or an acknowledgement in your novel.  No matter how nice they were.  You won't believe the things people could get in trouble for nowadays.  They might just get them sued or fired if something they told you was "off the record."  Not saying you can't or shouldn't.  But if you'd like to thank them in your novel, ask first, stating that you understand that such acknowlement might go against company policy.

I'd do this in a heart beat.

[clmatic]

Absolutely.

Bowden covered it well and there is not much to add to that, but I will confirm that most people are very helpful about supplying information about their work/area of expertise unless they had been specifically told not to share. 

Sometimes, the information is great, other times, not so much.  Like anything else you research, the more and varied your sources, the better overall picture you get.

If you don't ask, the answer is always no.  So ask away!

[ClaudeDancourt]

Yes, I would. Actually I did. Once, I was curious about an item at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, so I simply emailed the curator, and he answered all my questions, very nicely and thanked me for asking. Even sent further material. People likes when you are interested in what they do.

And you can also check Nano, I think they have a place for people looking for infos.