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I know from experience, Ea, that fiction involving factual input really does need a pretty ruthless editorial hand gripping the blue pencil.
An author writing fiction based on rigorous research -- and about which he becomes passionate -- must be dissuaded from telling (rather than showing) what he knows.
One of my own authors, for instance (no names, no pack drill) has an incredible personal history, speaks several languages fluenty, lectures and writes on political topics ... and my first job is to slash and burn his raw mss by at least 50% to even start making the work readable.
In a nutshell, an author tells a story and populates it with fascinating characters. Facts should merely support the scribe's offering, not become intrusive.
(Mind you, I'm a fact miner and don't really mind too much as long as I'm not expected to turn the full glare of the lesson onto my innocent readers.)
Hoots. Neil
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