I don’t know about you, but I love true crime shows. Something about them hooks me and then sticks with me long after I turn off the television. I don’t know if it’s the twisted nature of them—like watching a car wreck that’s awful to behold, but you can’t manage to look away. Or maybe it’s the intrigue of seeing how a killer grew up and trying to dissect the reason he or she went so horribly off the rails. Whatever the reason, I’ve noticed that the shows I grew up on creep into the details of the books I’ve written.
My book The Purple Nightgown is based of a real even that happed in Washington State in the early 1900s. I learned about it watching True Nightmares years ago, and it lent itself to a fun, fictional writing project. But my books aren’t the only stories with glimpses of true crime. So many times, when I sit down to watch Criminal Minds, the episodes have felt strangely familiar. Once I get about halfway through, I realize the story unfolding is one I've watched on Dateline or Your Worst Nightmare.
While brainstorming my current work in progress in which a woman who left a cult and finds a cryptic cry for help, I saw an article about a real-life cult leader that was involved in human trafficking. My story had a human trafficking angle, and the account of something that really happened helped fill in my missing pieces. It’s scary to think that a work of fiction filled with the most horrible things people can do to one another mirrors true events, but I like that in fiction I can shine a light in the darkness and bring glory to God Who takes bad situations and turns them for good.
Do you prefer true crime shows or podcasts? Let me know in the comments for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card!
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I like true crime shows more than podcasts honestly. Thanks for a chance to win! paralegal7 at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I don't like to listen to podcasts. I have no idea why but then I can't listen to a book either. But I rarely miss Dateline or 48 Hours.
ReplyDeleteI can’t say that I have watched or listen to true crime shows or podcasts. Some are just too horrific!
ReplyDeleteI'm always horrified when I remember that the truth isn't only stranger than fiction, it's sometimes much uglier and more frightening. True crime shows remind me of how horribly we humans can sometimes treat one another.
ReplyDeleteI have actually never listened to any podcasts. But growing up I did like Dateline, 48 Hours and others like them. As an adult I find Forensic Files fascinating although I rarely get a chance to watch any.
ReplyDeleteTV shows, I like seeing and hearing the interviews so I can watch the body language of the investigators.
ReplyDeleteHave always enjoyed watching Dateline and 48 Hours; now that we've entered the age of podcasts, I'm hooked on them! Crime Junkies is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to get Purple Nightgown on Audible
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