Writing Science in Fiction
By Carol Potenza
December 5, 2018Carol Potenza, author of the Tony Hillerman Prize-winning mystery Hearts of the Missing, is no stranger to infusing her fiction with science, and she's sharing her resources with us! After you've read (and taken notes), comment below for a chance to win a copy of her debut novel!
We’ve all seen it. A scientific plotline so strong it triggers journalists to hurry off and interview scientists, asking question after breathless question: Can dinosaur DNA be extracted from blood-engorged mosquitos trapped in amber millions of years ago? (Unfortunately, no.) Could AI—artificial intelligence—escape the confines of its program and cause worldwide havoc? (Maybe. Think computer viruses.) Could the details of a poisoning within a cozy mystery be so accurate, so easy, that copy-cat deaths are attributed to the book? (Yes, but would that make the author an accomplice to murder?)
Readers love real science. And when real science is twisted into believable fiction, it can drive the plot in a best seller or result in word-of-mouth that keeps a book in print long after the author has attained complete equilibrium (died). But realistic science can be very difficult to twine into your story if you don’t know where to look for facts and research backing it up.
So how do you as the author become the expert? Begin with the resources listed below. I’ll focus on the “squishy” sciences—those involving biochemistry, biology, and blood—because that’s my area of expertise, but all STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math) are included. I’ll skip archived newsprint, reference books, and libraries. These are outstanding and well-known resources and I don’t need to reiterate their value. And I’ll caution you about Wikipedia. While it might be a great jumping off point, use it at your own risk.
Let’s start with the Internet because much of what I’ll highlight is online. I’ll follow with live assets that are closer than you think.
News Apps on your Phone
They can be set to filter stories to your preferences and are a great resource for up-to-date news. The downside? Many articles don’t have references for the science presented. So if you want more information, the best place to go is…
Google Scholar
This search engine is designed for scholarly and academic literature. Use keywords and publication dates to sharpen your focus. Add “review” to your search thread and you’ll find papers that have already gathered and summarized the relevant literature. Many scientific journal articles are free to view and download, but some you’ll have to buy before you can read the full paper.
Insider’s tip: Google Scholar Alerts will keep you apprised of newly published literature in your subject of interest.
Science Headline Websites
Subscribe to sites like Science Daily, Scitable, LiveScience, and EurekAlert! Explore each of these websites thoroughly and you’ll find loads of helpful offerings. For example, the Science Daily site gives you hundreds of newsletter choices, including ones that focus on topics as diverse as ancient DNA, wearable technology, and bioethics.
TED Talks
Technology Entertainment Design. Recorded talks on thousands of topics by experts in various fields. Free online, translated into more than 100 languages, and envisioned to spread ideas. To give you an idea, here are some examples of what you might find: Your Fingerprints Reveal More Than You Think, How Vultures Can Solve Crimes, and Why Eyewitnesses Get It Wrong
Professors and Experts at a Nearby University (Or Even at a Distant One)
The only people who like to talk about their work more than authors are scientists. Like us, their work consumes them. They have to stay up-to-date on the literature, write up their ideas as grants, and teach their field. They have knowledge you can tap into. If you’ve found a scientific topic that interests you or are having a difficult time digesting data in a publication, reach out to an expert via email. Part of their job is public outreach, so it’s a win-win situation for both of you.
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Whether I’m researching a topic for a lecture, or weaving science into my fiction, these are some of the resources I find useful. I hope you do too.
Read an excerpt from Hearts of the Missing!
Comment below for a chance to win a copy of Hearts of the Missing by Carol Potenza!
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I love this post! Like literature, it drives me bananas when I see bad medicine in books or popular tv shows. You should do a de-bunking column about science in books!!
sounds like a fun one
I’ll have to take a look at Google Scholar!
Thanks for posting all these great resources! I’m looking forward to reading your book this Winter Break!
Love a book that entertains and informs!
I have a feeling this one will leave me guessing!
very interesting like it
Would love to read it.
I love it when an author uses facts & science, instead of making stuff up. I’ve added this author to my TBR list.
Murder, Mystery, Intrigue, Thrills Too… Can’t wait for this one‼️
This looks like a great read. I’m sure I will love it!
Great post! I am looking forward to reading Hearts of the Missing. Thank you for the chance to win
I’d love to win , this book sounds really good,
Blood, science, good science. I’m in!
Mystery and Science – two of my favorite subjects combined.
Wow – great resources! Almost enough to make me try and write a book. I have an engineering degree, and it kills me (maybe I shouldn’t mention that in front of a mystery writer) when the science or math goes awry. I am as willing to suspend my disbelief as the next fiction reader, but sometimes it just has to be correct. I’ve even noticed errors in non-mysteries (where the error is not really a plot item, but still!). My favorite was a kitchen that had a hexagonal table with five chairs (possible, but rather unlikely).
Deborahlinnell1954@gmail.com
Great info! I am not an author, but love when authors take the time to do research.
Poor science can take a reader right out of the book. A valuable resource.
Love to be entertained and educated while I’m reading a good book. Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds like a great read! Real sources create the best material. Looking forward to this book.
I love a good mystery backed by science. I’m inclined to research something that doesn’t sound right.
I love science and combining it with mystery into this novel sounds like it will more than hold my interest!
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a good read
Love a good mystery. When mixed with science, you can’t go wrong.
I love it when books weave in actual real life science into their plots. I have to admit if it is done wrong it drives me crazy! Make sure you get your facts correct or picky readers will notice!
Finally someone gets it. Make the story match the science.
I live in New Mexico and love reading about the different parts of this great state! Thanks for what sounds like another great book! Hope to win.
I love fiction with real science. Sometimes James Rollins does that.
Hearts of the Missing looks like a thrill packed science read.
I read the exerpt. I think this is going to be one of those books that keep me up all night reading. Can’t wait!
Looks good! Excited to read it.
Love the Southwest setting. Sounds gripping!
Love a good book!
This looks real good, thanks for the giveaway!
Another pet peeve is bad geography. A book I really would like to read.
Captivating and fascinating. Enjoyed this post very much.
Sounds like a book for me, love the science aspect.
Wonderful feature and great novel.
Impressive and unique. Thanks.
Love to win this great prize…Thanks and Happy Holidays
iowarose16@hotmail.com
Excellent article + excellent resources! Ditto for news from social media rather than professional, reputable sites.
Count me in, please!
Interested in this one
Would love to win
Good places to look things up. I never use Wikipedia.
Love this’
Very interesting learning about Carol’s research process!
Good sources, but time consuming. It’s best just to know everything from the start.
Thanks for the chance!
Great resources for what sounds like a great book. Going to have to put this one on my Amazon wish list, if I don’t win. (Which I hope I do!)
I always prefer to read books from which I can gain insight and knowledge.
interesting info
Very interesting information. Cannot wait to read the book now!!
It boggles my mind when I think about how much work goes into writing a book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
This looks good!
Thank you for the effort of being accurate. When I see incorrect medical or healthcare info or too much leeway being taken with historical facts it automatically turns me away from the writing.
Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful book. So much information here too!
Good info in the intro to scientific research. And the preview of the book most intriguing.
I am so hooked on reading. What a good habit to have!
Sounds like a very intriguing read.
Research is the best way to get the right information.
This book is going to be great. One more book for my TBR, high on my list!
I am always looking for the next great red I can’t wait to get my hands on this one!
I love a good fiction novel with a healthy dose of realistic science. The key is scientific accuracy though. Nothing can kill the joy of reading faster than coming across a fact that you know is incorrect.
Looks amazing! I would love to win a copy of this fantabulous book.
Thanks for the resources.
The excerpt grabbed my attention right away. I look forward to reading this.
I loved the comment about scientists liking to talk about their work. I worked in a research lab for many years and we would often get tours coming through. It was always fun to talk to them about the work we were doing and answer their questions. I never tired of it.
Interesting – thanks for the chance to win.
That really got my attention!! Can’t wait to read more!
Yet another good one to read
Looking forward to this. I often find erroneous medical and scientific information in books that I read. If you don’t know or don’t want to take the time to check it out, then leave it out. Bad science helps no one. And since people believe everything they read, and don’t fact check, we have misinformation all over the place now.
This book sounds really interesting
Thanks for the info on different search sites
I’m a big Tony Hillerman fan, I appreciate the detailed descriptions of the customs and traditions of the various tribes that populate his novels and the creative plots in the mysteries he wrote. I’m looking forward to reading your novel as the excerpt I read along with your description of the resources you utilized to ensure accuracy are tantalizing.
good information
I am a new subscriber and I am very excited about this newsletter and this awesome sweepstakes. The author obviously knows how to get the facts straight for her story. These days that is very rare.
Interesting article. I look forward to reading this book.
I particularly like the way criminal element presented this book. After The read to take the quiz I was hooked. Can’t wait to read the entire book
Sounds like a great book!!
The author is correct – readers do like real and factual science in the books they read. This one sounds like a keeper!
I really enjoy books that are based on actual facts!
love that the book is about native people-and the reservation-not to many books about crime with natives-interesting
Lots of science. I like that. Sound like a good read.
Good advice!
Awesome post! Looking forward to reading Hearts of the Missing. Thanks for the opportunity to win
How tantalizing, I read the excerpt and wanted the book in my hand. Looks like an engrossing read. Right up my alley.
Okay– so I am deeply intrigued!! Who is the woman in the glass? Can she transfer her energy into animals? I would love to win this book and get some answers..
Sounds like a great debut – looking forward to reading
Thank you for the contest, sounds like a great book !
I like the focus on real science and found the excerpt very well written and intriguing. I’ve added the book to my TBR list
best of luck to all!
I really enjoyed this article because it has so many wonderful suggestions for science resources! Sounds like a an excellent read!
Looking forward to reading!
Very interesting
Yes it’s hard to find reliable info without huge amounts of research. This sounds like a great read.
I love a great mystery! Can’t wait to read it!
This sounds like a very interesting book! Thanks for all the info you gave us!
Science and Mystery, can’t get much better!
Wow! The writing is so good, I could almost imagine that I was there in the main character’s place. Bring it on.
This was quite interesting. I’ll have to check out Google Scholar; learn something new everyday.
I love this article. It always baffles me how much research goes into writing some books.
Thanks for sharing some great resources! I really appreciate it when an author takes the time to get the factual elements of their story correct. Adds a layer of authenticity to the whole story.
Real stuff – count me interested! Sounds super exciting.
Would like to read this and pass it around my family for discussion
Looks like a good read