Welcome!

This sub is a place to ask questions to improve the accuracy and realism of your writing when it involves a real-life area of expertise that you don't know about.

This page is (Or rather will be) an FAQ for new members and a general resource and information point for questions about the sub.

Note that as the point of the sub is to ask questions, the title of "FAQ" can be confusing therefore this is a help page not an FAQ page. There will be a separate page listing those questions that are most commonly asked on the sub.

New Users

Remember to follow the Sub rules which can be found in the sidebar. Also remember to follow the overall rules of Reddit itself found here: http://www.reddit.com/rules

new user advice item 2...

work in progress..

​

AMAs

Several years ago r/WriteResearch used to hold AMAs from subject matter experts who wanted to provide a broad range of answers in a concentrated timeframe. Perhaps a legal professional answering a bunch of questions on unusual crimes or a surgeon answering questions on what injuries would be fatal.

There are no immediate plans to host any AMAs in the near future but the new mod team aren't opposed to the concept. If there is demand for this then we can arrange to facilitate the process. (Approving credentials behind-the-scenes to stop a Jamake Highwater scenario)

General Advice

Don't just say "No", instead consider how it could be possible

Let's say someone asks if an astronaut on the International Space Station could make a dramatic leap to an approaching Shuttle to warn them of the alien infection on board. It's obviously wrong to say that's categorically impossible and OP is an idiot for not understanding orbital mechanics. But it's also wrong to politely explain this isn't viable. Instead suggest that the astronaut use a Manned Maneuvering Unit / thrusterpack to cover the distance.

Think about what the author wants, not how the scenario is pitched

Let's say someone asks if a given injury is fatal. The most accurate answer is usually "It depends on the circumstances" so the most helpful response is often "Do you want it to be fatal?". Relatively minor changes to the scenario can turn a non-fatal injury into a fatal one. Asking if the author wants it to be fatal is a lot more helpful that quibbling over the capabilities of a hypothetical back-street surgeon to stitch up a gunshot wound.

Sharing this Group

This group's usefulness is proportional to the number of people contributing to it. Therefore, we ask that you share this group with your like-minded friends and on relevant subs across reddit. http://www.reddit.com/r/Writeresearch/