NationStates Jolt Archive

Ok, so I'm trying to write a fictional story from the perspective of an embedded reporter in Iraq. The only problem is, I know jack all about embedded reporters in Iraq, and I don't want to make something inauthentic. so any info would be appreciated. Specifically, is this situation plausible:

The reporter is embedded with a group of soldiers, around 20-30. They are out patrolling the desert in Iraq. They are attacked several times by a group of insurgents, and in one surprise attack around half of the US soldiers are killed. Alot of the insurgents are killed, too, so they retreat. The soldiers track them to an area, and think they're hidden away in a small house. They go inside, guns drawn, to see a family there. There is a lot of gun pointing and shouting, the soldiers telling the man of the house to show them where the insurgents are hiding, and the man says he doesn't know what they're talking about. The man reaches for his wallet to show them his ID, but the soldiers are jumpy, and for a split second it looks like a gun, so they shoot him. On seeing it's a wallet, one of the soldiers cracks, and turns to gun down the rest of the family. And somehow, the reporter sees all of this. (I might just say that the insurgents had killed all the commanding officers, leading to a massive breach in discipline, and they were so keen on finishing the insurgents off they didn't stop to figure out what to do with the reporter.)

Ok, so I'm trying to write a fictional story from the perspective of an embedded reporter in Iraq. The only problem is, I know jack all about embedded reporters in Iraq, and I don't want to make something inauthentic. so any info would be appreciated. Specifically, is this situation plausible:

The reporter is embedded with a group of soldiers, around 20-30. They are out patrolling the desert in Iraq. They are attacked several times by a group of insurgents, and in one surprise attack around half of the US soldiers are killed. Alot of the insurgents are killed, too, so they retreat. The soldiers track them to an area, and think they're hidden away in a small house. They go inside, guns drawn, to see a family there. There is a lot of gun pointing and shouting, the soldiers telling the man of the house to show them where the insurgents are hiding, and the man says he doesn't know what they're talking about. The man reaches for his wallet to show them his ID, but the soldiers are jumpy, and for a split second it looks like a gun, so they shoot him. On seeing it's a wallet, one of the soldiers cracks, and turns to gun down the rest of the family. And somehow, the reporter sees all of this. (I might just say that the insurgents had killed all the commanding officers, leading to a massive breach in discipline, and they were so keen on finishing the insurgents off they didn't stop to figure out what to do with the reporter.)

15 US soldiers dead in a single attack? Wouldn't that be one of the biggest collective casualty incidents of the war?

15 US soldiers dead in a single attack? Wouldn't that be one of the biggest collective casualty incidents of the war?

It could be two or three closely spaced attacks. I imagine an ambush shortly after running into an IED. I also might lower the total number, but it has to be enough to include all of the commanding officers and leave the survivors panicky and scared.

Why have you chosen to write about that topic? The best stories tend to be those that the author has plenty of experience in, or have researched extensively. If you're very keen and feel that this is an idea you really want to run with, you'll have to be prepared to put in a lot of work to get the details right.

Only one answer for this one: become an embedded reporter yourself.


Or you could join the army :p

Why have you chosen to write about that topic? The best stories tend to be those that the author has plenty of experience in, or have researched extensively. If you're very keen and feel that this is an idea you really want to run with, you'll have to be prepared to put in a lot of work to get the details right.

I was just thinking of all of the things I've heard/read about how the embedded reporter system is made to bias the reporters toward the troops, and thought up a situation in which this could apply. From there I wanted to place the reader in that position, so they could think of what it feels, and if they can really be objective. My core point works without research, but I need research for the little details that make it seem more authentic. It won't be a terribly long story, so I don't have to go too far into detail.

Only one answer for this one: become an embedded reporter yourself.


Or you could join the army

No thanks. I make love, not war.:fluffle:

No thanks. I make love, not war.:fluffle:

Hehehehe, that's the spirit! :fluffle:

try this book (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Generation-Kill-Evan-Wright/dp/0552151890/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/202-2560122-7681428?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179997610&sr=8-1)

try reading this its written by a reporter embedded right in the slim edge of the wedge, so he actually discusses incidents when the US troops shoot up civilians (and the unit he's attached to do:inside the ROE).

Why have you chosen to write about that topic? The best stories tend to be those that the author has plenty of experience in, or have researched extensively. If you're very keen and feel that this is an idea you really want to run with, you'll have to be prepared to put in a lot of work to get the details right.

I think that is bullshit. See: sci-fi.

I think that is bullshit. See: sci-fi.

And what, exactly, does a fantasy novel have to do with a person who wants to write about a real, current situation?

Besides, even sci-fi needs to be researched. The best stuff will keep at least one hand on reality.

And what, exactly, does a fantasy novel have to do with a person who wants to write about a real, current situation?

Besides, even sci-fi needs to be researched. The best stuff will keep at least one hand on reality.

In any case, I want to write about something I have little experience with, so I need to research. Help would be appreciated.

The story would need to be short to be realistic. They would need to be blown up by the U.S troops somewhere in the second paragraph, the third paragrapgh being the soldiers explaining that the reporter had a little sniper on his head that was firing on them and any video evidence to the contrary has been manipulated by George Lucas and his commie studios.

I intend to have some lieutenant or something try to cover it up once they get back to base camp, and for him to tell the reporter about how reporting this will ruin these men's lives and how civilian casualties are inevitable and so on.

Ok, so I'm trying to write a fictional story from the perspective of an embedded reporter in Iraq. The only problem is, I know jack all about embedded reporters in Iraq, and I don't want to make something inauthentic. so any info would be appreciated. Specifically, is this situation plausible:

The reporter is embedded with a group of soldiers, around 20-30. They are out patrolling the desert in Iraq. They are attacked several times by a group of insurgents, and in one surprise attack around half of the US soldiers are killed. Alot of the insurgents are killed, too, so they retreat. The soldiers track them to an area, and think they're hidden away in a small house. They go inside, guns drawn, to see a family there. There is a lot of gun pointing and shouting, the soldiers telling the man of the house to show them where the insurgents are hiding, and the man says he doesn't know what they're talking about. The man reaches for his wallet to show them his ID, but the soldiers are jumpy, and for a split second it looks like a gun, so they shoot him. On seeing it's a wallet, one of the soldiers cracks, and turns to gun down the rest of the family. And somehow, the reporter sees all of this. (I might just say that the insurgents had killed all the commanding officers, leading to a massive breach in discipline, and they were so keen on finishing the insurgents off they didn't stop to figure out what to do with the reporter.)
Didn't Geraldo already do this -- write fiction as if he were an embedded reporter. Just look up some of his stories 'from' Iraq.

Ok, so I’m trying to write a fictional story from the perspective of an embedded reporter in Iraq. The only problem is, I know jack all about embedded reporters in Iraq.
Oh dear.

Perhaps it would be easier to write about something you actually know about?

Or if you really must, why not contact some news agencies?

Oh dear.

Perhaps it would be easier to write about something you actually know about?
Unfortunately, inspiration to write a story does not always follow those things with which I have actual experience. This is good, because my experience is honestly rather lacking.

Or if you really must, why not contact some news agencies?

That's a good idea, I suppose, but who would I contact? Would I have any real hope of a reply?

Unfortunately, inspiration to write a story does not always follow those things with which I have actual experience. This is good, because my experience is honestly rather lacking.
Well, what makes you want to write about embedded journalists then?

That’s a good idea, I suppose, but who would I contact? Would I have any real hope of a reply?
I have no idea, but you might as well try. Most news agencies have contact details for their journalists, you could look at some websites.

Ok, so I'm trying to write a fictional story from the perspective of an embedded reporter in Iraq. The only problem is, I know jack all about embedded reporters in Iraq,

Stop there.

If you know nothing about it - nothing, not even what you've gleaned from books (and there are many books out that've been written by Embeds, such as Thunder Run, Generation Kill and the like) - then don't even try.

Go out and research - read as many books and blogs as you can on the subject. Read their news reports. Watch and listen to their news reports. Read what the International Press Association has to say.

THEN come back and try the story.