Judie asked Les Roberts:

I find your books captivating. How did you start writing about our area. I have been working on a book with a female character and using Cleveland as her home town. I can reflect on my Father and Uncle days in the police force but I am wondering how to get more updated information. Any suggestions?

Les Roberts Hi, Ju - congrats on writing a book set in Cleveland. I don't know whether your leading female character is a police officer, private investigator, or something else----therefore there are different places and people to ask. If your father and uncle were cops, you must know someone of the police force to give you information. I'm friends with several Cleveland-area cops, both active or retired, and when I need information, it's only a phone call away. If you know no one, you should probably attend one of the many law enforcement meetings around town, introduce yourself. You can even come with me to the monthly meetings of the Greater Police Emerald Society. You'd be amazed how many badge-wearers are delighted to supply you with information. As far as the Cleveland atmosphere, which is entirely different from anyplace else I've ever been---just get out there. Meet people, drop in and have a drink at a relatively safe-looking tavern,and call ANYONE you care to for answers to your questions. I have cops, lawyers, coroners, doctors, artists, media people, real private eyes and, yes, even the---uh---"guys on Murray Hill" I can call whenever I need to. Always remember, though, that in fiction, ANYTHING is true if you, the author, says it is. If you look up in a book the accurate description of what a fiction writer does, it says, "Makes Stuff Up."

As for how I started writing about Greater Cleveland---back in 1987 I was living in Los Angeles, having worked for years as a film/TV writer and having written my first novel (NOT a Milan Jacovich), and was invited to spend several months in Cleveland creating and getting on its feet a TV game show for the Ohio Lottery. (That game was and IS "Cash Explosion," and it's still on the air after 29 years! No, I don't get paid royalties anymore.) Within two weeks of my being here, I'd completely fallen in love with Greater Cleveland, and when I returned to L.A. i began writing my first Milan novel, "Pepper Pike." (Currently eighteen published Milan novels now, and 30 books altogether.) I kept coming back to do research, to promote my novels, and after three years of that, I chose to move here. Last month I celebrated my 25th anniversary as a Greater Clevelander.

Contact me anytime, via Goodreads, Facebook, email, or even by telephone. (Just don't call before 3 in the afternoon, as mornings and early afternoons are writing time for me.) Most info is on my website, www.lesroberts.

Good luck, Les

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