This was not the original name of this panel at last year’s Life the Universe and Everything. Nor do I have the documentation of who was on the panel. But it is some good advice to authors. I hope these ideas can be of use to you as well.

–        In writing we make something that is real.

–        The story feels real because it’s making you participate in the story.

–        If you make a reference to something in the story such as a person. You need to reference them a second time in the story.

–        Each character needs to choices.

–        Rules of writing: use dialects/curses enough to put the idea across.

–        Speech tags: all said and asked for premature visible. Other choices besides these two words should be used upon rare occasions. And when they are used, it should relate to the circumstance.

–        Watch the details to your story. One employee had livestock surviving on an unrealistic to small size of land. You need to get the details accurate.

–        Author gave experience of having a clipboard that gave him the image of looking like he belonged where he was at. Period. The reader will gain confidence in you as a reader by you giving telling details.

–        Use in group language when you’re amongst people that would talk that language.

–        Telling details mentioned in passing what help legitimize your story. It will tell them that you know you’re talking about. One example of an inaccuracy is colored vials in a chemical lab. Tubes for chemicals or all clear.