PUTTING THE LEGAL SYSTEM TO WORK IN YOUR NOVEL by Rachel Carrington and Debra Curwen
START DATE: This class is currently closed.
DURATION: 4 weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Many authors use the legal system in their novels even if they’re not writing romantic suspense. It might just be a quick courtroom scene or a meeting with an attorney. However the system is invoked, it’s important to know what to say, how to say it, and if it should even be said. This knowledge can make the difference between a realistic novel and one that sounds like a bad episode of a 1980’s cop drama.
In this course, you’ll learn the basics of legalese, the least you need to know when including any type of legal information in your novel, when to use the words you’re unfamiliar with, and when they’re overkill. You’ll step inside a courtroom to get a birds-eye view of what really takes place (and what doesn’t), and you’ll learn about the timeline for trials. As an added bonus, we’ll give you the dimension you need for your legal characters.
Whether it’s a domestic issue, a criminal issue, or a money-hungry land grabber, the legal system handles them all, and we’ll help you create the drama and have fun doing it.
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I appreciated the class (Jumping into Romance) and received so much more from it than the two community college classes I had taken. ~ Connie Z
The class was enlightening, humorous, and filled with common sense. Directions where to go for further information was nice. It’s easy to put off the work of writing for the fun. You made me realize the need for work. Thanks! ~ Katie Daniels
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WEEKS AT A GLANCE:
Week 1: You Don’t Need a Legal Dictionary—how to use those big words and how to avoid them
If your novel includes an attorney talking to his client, you’ll need to know just enough legalese to make your character believable but not so much that it goes over your readers’ heads. And most importantly, you’ll need to know how to use the words in proper context.
How many times have you watched a television show or read a book that includes legal terminology you don’t understand (like interlocutory appeal or habeas corpus)? Oftentimes, it’s because the writers feel as though the words add strength to the dialogue and bolsters the character’s standing as a member of the legal community.
Even if you’ve never set foot inside a courtroom or a lawyer’s office, you can still write a realistic scene by following a few guidelines.
Assignment: Provide a short example of a scene from a book or a television show that included legal terminology that was not explained.
Week 2: The Real Truth about the Timeline
Trials and hearings never move as fast in real life as they do on the television screen. Unfortunately, many authors use shows like Law & Order as their go to when writing legal scenes. In this lesson, we’ll give you some basic techniques you can use to keep your book realistic without getting moored in the legalities.
Assignment: Now that you know the truth about the timeline, provide a list of at least five misconceptions you have had about trials based upon what you’ve seen or read. How do you think you could fix these misconceptions in your story?
Week 3: Inside the Courtroom—what’s allowed, what’s not, and what will get everyone in trouble
We understand the need for theatrics on television as that keeps viewers glued to the screen, but did you know that most of what you see on TV isn’t actually allowed in a courtroom? Lawyers don’t yell at judges, and cops know better than to disrupt a trial. In this lesson, we’ll show you what to really expect, what’s acceptable and what isn’t, and how to create riveting drama without breaking the rules.
Assignment: Watch at least an hour of opening statements in criminal trial footage on Youtube. It can be any trial of your choice. Your focus should be on the attorneys as they deliver the statements, including their mannerisms, their tone, and how they engage the jury.
Provide the link to the video (or videos) you viewed and your thoughts on the attorney (or attorneys) delivering the statements. How did they present themselves? Did they keep your attention, or did your mind wander? Based on what you saw, would you say the attorney was successful in their career?
Week 4: Creating Your Legal Character
Is one of your main characters an attorney, paralegal, or judge? We'll provide you with the characteristics to make your legal person real, including how they think, talk, and conduct themselves even outside the courtroom.
Assignment: Provide a character outline of the main legal character in your novel. Please include the personality traits that you feel make him or her a good attorney, paralegal, or judge. Based upon this lesson, what do you feel you need to improve upon?
BONUS: We will critique your first legal scene (no more than two pages), whether it’s in a courtroom or inside a lawyer’s office.
Materials needed: As class will be conducted online, students only need access to the internet and email capability. A listing of books and applicable website links will be provided for the students’ future use.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS: Your instructors have a combined total of fifty-nine years in the legal field.
Dawn Rachel Carrington has been the editor-in-chief of Vinspire Publishing, a publisher of family friendly books, for over twelve years. A published author of over fifty titles, she has also been a paralegal for twenty-eight years and has worked in most aspects of the law with the exception of maritime.
Debra Curwen is a published author of six children’s books with several more in line to be released. She has been a paralegal for thirty-one years and was an original co-founder of Vinspire Publishing.
As a bonus, a licensed attorney (or two) will provide insight into much of the lesson material.
COST: $150, which includes weekly assignments and individual feedback from the instructors.
BUY NOW: Putting the Legal System to Work in Your Novel, by Dawn Rachel Carrington and Debra Curwen (4 weeks, starting 9/12/2016) Limit: 7 students. Early registration is recommended.
This class is now closed. Please check here for our current schedule.
Notes: Upon successful completion of payment, your name, email address, and contact info will be submitted to your instructor.
