Do you notice that people rarely answer each other’s questions directly? In real conversations, people slide around the real point, come doggedly back to their favorite topics repeatedly, and spin a minor point of the conversation into a major one.

Consider the following examples:

Dr. Fiction interviews Megamind from the School of Dramatic Villainy, and discusses the benefits of villains who present themselves with flair and flamboyance. 

Question: What favorite villain of yours falls into that category?

If you don’t want your story (yes, even your fantasy story) to cause snickers amongst your readership, take the time to know your setting well.

When my family watched Captain Philips (with Tom Hanks), based on the real-life experience of a Vermont resident, we chuckled and nudged each other in the opening scenes. Vermont doesn’t have a four-lane highway! We’re lucky to have two drivable lanes in some portions of the state. Vermont’s I-89 exit to Burlington International Airport is 14E, not 30B. In fact, the highest exit number along the interstate is Exit 22, near Canada. Plus, there is no interstate between Underhill and Burlington; it’s all back roads. Clearly, the story had not been filmed on location. (In all fairness, I should mention that I enjoyed the rest of the movie, minus some language issues.)