Writing about a highly technical topic, like crime or the law, can be intimidating. In the world of criminal law there are countless rules, practices and procedures. Criminal lawyers speak their own language. To write a good criminal or legal story, a writer needs to have credibility.

Credibility comes from working within the rules of criminal law and speaking the language of criminal law. But you don’t have to be a cop or a lawyer to write about crime or criminal law authentically. Here are some tips to get started:

1. Brainstorm: As in any genre, a good story with interesting characters and plot twists should be the starting point. Physically write down brainstormed ideas without regard to order, quality, or completeness. Just start writing and let the ideas flow.

2. Be inspired: Inspiration often comes from outside sources, often unexpectedly. Read good books and watch good movies, especially crime and legal dramas. Read about crime in the news. Follow interesting essays. Watch true crime stories on TV and read true crime books. You never know when a small detail will spark a story in you.

3. Scheme: Everyone has their own methods and opinions about the scheme. Whether organized by chapter, act, scene, character, or plot point, the outline is a critical tool for organizing a story. The more complex the story, the more important an outline can be. Description can be especially important in a crime novel or legal drama because your story must fit within the rules of the criminal law world.

For example, if you want exculpatory evidence to be uncovered at the end of Act Two, you’ll need to know where the case is in the legal proceedings to help determine how the evidence could realistically come to light.

4. Educate yourself: Read about real criminal laws on the Internet and in books. Look for information specifically geared towards people who are not lawyers. See real trials when they are televised. Watch true crime shows. Although they often cut out a lot of details, especially procedures, they usually get things right. Read true crime news and books. The same caveat applies to these sources: they’re generally accurate, but they often leave out details you might want to know.

Don’t trust talking lawyer commentators on television. They usually talk off the top of their heads and often get it wrong. They also often have an agenda that they are pushing and talking about things from that point of view. Lastly, do not rely on other criminal law fictions. Crime fiction on TV, in movies, and in books is often completely off the mark.

5. Consult an expert: When in doubt, ask a question. As you brainstorm, outline, and draft, take notes of questions that come up. Consulting an expert, usually a criminal lawyer, can be expensive, so try to know what you need guidance on before contacting someone. Also, make sure you talk to someone who can explain things simply and clearly, and who is willing to admit when they don’t know something.

Following these tips will give a writer the confidence to create within the world of criminal law and to begin writing criminal and legal histories with authenticity.