If you write mysteries and thrillers, the true crime bloggers are an interesting resource. What I like about them, versus news reporters, is the depth of research they do and they way they calmly present the information. It's like sitting down with a very knowledgeable friend. They put things in context and are focused on confirmed knowledge rather than conjecture and drama. I have learned a lot about crimes and criminals: the whys and hows and impact on the families and communities.
My two favorite true crime videocasts are:
Coffee and Crime Time with Stephanie Harlowe https://www.youtube.com/@StephanieHarlowe
10 to Life Annie Elise https://www.youtube.com/@10tolife
There are several body language experts I enjoy. This information can benefit any writer. The thing that raises them in my estimation is that they reinforce that only one microexpression or gesture does not tell the whole story. You need background and context. I have learned a lot from these gentlemen.
There are many videos by the original body language expert, Dr. Paul Ekman. You can find them on this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thepaulekmangroup
I would love to take his course. You can learn more here: https://www.paulekman.com/
My favorite body language videocasts analyze current crimes, past crimes, suspect interviews, and news interviews.
The Behavior Panel featuring four experts in the field: Chase Hughes, Mark Bowden, Greg Hartley, and Scott Rouse. You get four opinions and insights. https://www.youtube.com › thebehaviorpanel
https://www.youtube.com/@TheBehavioralArts
Observe featuring Logan Portenier.
https://www.youtube.com/@ObserveYouTube
Dr. Todd Grande https://www.youtube.com/@DrGrande
The Body Language Guy featuring Jesus Enrique Rosas.
https://www.youtube.com/@thebodylanguageguy
Once you get started on this journey, there are many alluring paths to follow. Whether you watch them for enjoyment or education, I doubt you will run out of content.
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Diana Hurwitz is the author of Story Building Blocks: The Four Layers of Conflict, Story Building Blocks II: Crafting Believable Conflict, Story Building Blocks III: The Revision Layers, and the YA adventure series Mythikas Island. Her weekly blog, Game On: Crafting Believable Conflict explores how characters behave and misbehave. Visit DianaHurwitz.com for more information and free writing tools. You can follow her on Facebook. |
Oh! I love YouTube for so many reasons, but never thought to use them for this kind of research. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI get sucked into YouTube very easily, so I use a browser plug-in to block the suggested videos in the sidebar and just focus on what I'm there to watch. But I will definitely look at the videos you've linked to - I love this kind of stuff, too. I also really enjoy the research-related videos like the Experts and Technique Critiques series by WIRED. Here's a forensics expert for you, Diana:
ReplyDeleteForensics Expert Examines 20 Crime Scene Investigations from Film & TV | Technique Critique | WIRED
Thanks for sharing that link, Elle. I'm definitely going there to learn more about forensics. I've limited knowledge about that. I've done more research about the minds of criminals than the physical.
DeleteI'm afraid I would fall deep into the rabbit hole if I started checking out these videos. I'm already stuck in the dog videos and have to pull myself out of them. BUT, it really is great research for crime writers and might find myself getting hooked anyway.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list of resources for research, Diana. Thanks for sharing them. I'll try not to spend hours there. :-) But I can definitely see the possibilities for finding good information for the stories I write.
ReplyDelete