If you write anything of a technical nature, such as science fiction or a techno-thriller, make sure you have your facts straight. If you’re not an expert in a given field, find someone who is to give it a sanity check. Most people find it fun to help out an author, especially if you promise to acknowledge their help in the front of the book. That may be the only time a person gets to see their name in print!

Often you’ll get more ideas that are even better than the original. Authenticity builds your credibility as an author. Even if the person tell you that what you want to do or say is impossible, it’s helpful. In some cases you can work around it in an even better way than your original plan.

If you don’t someone personally who’s an expert in the field you’re addressing, you may be able to find someone online who will chat with you. I needed to know some of the particulars of how dash cams work. I went to a site that sold them and had a very useful chat with one of their technicians who gave me useful, accurate information. I suspect he had some fun, too.