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Mystery: November 25, 2009 Issue [#3397]

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Mystery


 This week:
  Edited by: Vivian Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

         I took part in the Muse Online Writers Conference in October, and D.S. Kane (http://swiftshadow.com/) had a workshop on how to write about espionage realistically. The information I gained from that workshop will be helpful in some of my upcoming work, and I hope you'll find some of what I share will aid you, too.

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Letter from the editor

Getting Started with Intelligence Agencies


         To begin writing a military or spy thriller, an author needs to have some knowledge of intelligence agencies.

         D.S. Kane listed ten intelligence agencies in the United States: CIA, NSA,FBI, DIA, NCIS, ATF, DEA, NRO, ONI, U.S. Marshals. He said he knows of sixteen, even though he didn't list that many during the owrkshop. One that he didn't know about, and that I do because of my research for my work-in-progress (WIP), is the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), the Air Force equivalent to NCIS.

         Of course other nations have their intelligence agencies, too, such as AFI (intelligence branch of the Israeli Air Force), The Mossad (Israel's "secret" service), MI-6 (Great Britain), and the former KGB (former Soviet Union).

         The more one knows about the intelligence agencies used in writing fiction, the more believable the writing is. Research is vital. I would suggest to begin with D.S. Kane (http://swiftshadow.com/) before going to some of the following works, just a short list of possibilites:

John Perkins, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

John LeCarre, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Thomas Gordon, Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad

Peter Wright, Spy Catcher: The Candid Autobiography of a Senior Intelligence Officer

         Thank you, D.S. Kane, not only for an interesting workshop, but also for information to help writers be better writers.

         Oh, yes, to register for the 2010 Muse Online Writers Conference, go to http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/2010MuseConferenceRegistration/. It's free and registering now means you'll receive all the notices and won't forget.


Editor's Picks

Writings from W.Com


 "Maccabee" excerpt Open in new Window. [13+]
A Jewish detective breaks up a Nazi spy ring.
by Matthew Buchwald Author Icon

 Sky Burial Open in new Window. [E]
Regarding Ethel and Julian Rosenberg, their trial, and their controversial executions.
by BeHereBook Author Icon

 It Had to Happen Open in new Window. [ASR]
A spoof of James Bond's ilk: villains, weapons, evil plots, and more! (Honorable Mention)
by LeeReay Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 The Peenemunde Secret Open in new Window. [13+]
Honorable Mention Winner in the Writer's Digest 2007 Popular Fiction Contest.
by StephBee Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 
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Ask & Answer

Words from Our Readers


         Apparently last issue didn't cause any controversy or need for readers to leave comments. However, one person did leave a message:

Angelica Weatherby-Star on top Author IconMail Icon
         It (chapter 2 of my WIP, Murder in the Manson) reads more like a final draft to me. *Bigsmile* *Bigsmile* *Heart* Good chapter, Viv!

         Thanks, fishie.


Thanks for joining me this issue. I hope we're back together again next month.

Hope everyone in the U.S. has a delightful and delicious Happy Thanksgiving.

Viv

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