Do authors intentionally insert mistakes? - Page 3

Jim Watson · August 2, 2018, 12:13 AM

Koontz started out as a mediocre science fiction writer.
The only one of his better seller thick books I ever struggled through, he armed a character with a 400 shot Uzi. But it was an alternate timeline, so I guess that makes it ok.

Best not to go into too much detail, even if correct. A lot of post-apocalyptic adventures read like a Guns n Ammo Buyer's Guide. Dull.

DaleA · August 2, 2018, 02:45 PM

Koontz.
Near the start of one of his books there was a confrontation between "hill folk". One guy tried to fire a double barrel shotgun and just got clicks for his trouble. When he broke open the gun the shotgun shells had been turned into snakes.
He lost me right there.
I think I found "Koontz" looking for "Coonts". Stephen Coonts writes Navy action/adventure books that IMhO are pretty good.

DPris · August 2, 2018, 05:30 PM

Bubbles called me into the front room where she was catching up on Marvel Shield episodes on Netflix.

Re-wound a sequence where a double-barreled coachgun was being carried as a saddle gun on a horse.
When it was pulled from the scabbard, the sound of a hammer cocking was clearly heard. On a hammerless gun.

When a second actor took it away from the first, we heard the sound of a levergun cycling.

This was obviously all written deliberately by the writer to prevent anybody watching from mis-using such a coachgun in real life, after seeing it on the screen.

Diabolically clever....

Denis

**Aguila Blanca** · August 7, 2018, 10:50 AM

I recently read a pulp western novel that reminded me of this thread. I've read just about all of Louis L'Amour's books, so this was a used one I picked up by some second-tier western writer. It was supposed to be set in 1858, but the rugged hero was armed with a Colt revolver (possible ... other than the multiple references to reloading it with cartridges) and a Henry rifle ... which wasn't designed until 1860.

And the leader of the outlaw gang was armed with a Walker Colt ... which was also loaded with cartridges.

I don't think these errors were intentional -- I think they were pure ignorance mixed with laziness.

roscoe · August 23, 2018, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXAZ

Actually Tom Clancy gave an interview after he wrote The Sum of All Fears about intentionally inserting bad info. He indicated he intentionally put in bad nuclear weapon design information to try avoid helping a terrorist group.

What he didn't know was that Al Gore, in his infinite wisdom to show openness of the government put very specific nuclear weapon design information on the internet.

Gore put nuclear weapons design on the internet? I need proof before believing that.

**44 AMP** · August 23, 2018, 04:49 PM

Quote:

What he didn't know was that Al Gore, in his infinite wisdom to show openness of the government put very specific nuclear weapon design information on the internet.

I don't know if this is tongue in cheek, or an actual fact, but it doesn't matter...

If you didn't flunk high school physics (as taught in the 1970s) you know how to make an atomic bomb.

Getting the special nuclear material needed is not a simple task, and even if you could, getting the bomb to WORK is an entirely different level of complexity, and even if design(s) are on the Internet, actually creating the physical device is no trivial matter.

Glenn E. Meyer · August 23, 2018, 06:11 PM

Just read a police procedural where someone put their 40 cal revolver in their SOB holster. Now such exist or was it just some baloney?

Rangerrich99 · August 23, 2018, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn E. Meyer

Just read a police procedural where someone put their 40 cal revolver in their SOB holster. Now such exist or was it just some baloney?

Just doing a quick google search there is the Taurus Model 405 revolver chambered in .40 S&W. No idea if there's a SOB holster for it. Honestly wasn't aware that there were holsters specifically made for SOB. Guess I have to do another google search . . .

P.S. well there are holsters specifically for SOB. learn something new everyday . . .

B.L.E. · August 24, 2018, 10:26 PM

Do authors intentionally insert mistakes? In the case of road maps, yes. These intentional mistakes are called "copyright traps" and are used to prove copyright infringement.

August 2, 2018, 02:45 PM	#52
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,384	Koontz. Near the start of one of his books there was a confrontation between "hill folk". One guy tried to fire a double barrel shotgun and just got clicks for his trouble. When he broke open the gun the shotgun shells had been turned into snakes. He lost me right there. I think I found "Koontz" looking for "Coonts". Stephen Coonts writes Navy action/adventure books that IMhO are pretty good. Last edited by DaleA; August 2, 2018 at 02:56 PM.

August 23, 2018, 06:11 PM	#57
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,061	Just read a police procedural where someone put their 40 cal revolver in their SOB holster. Now such exist or was it just some baloney? __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

August 2, 2018, 12:13 AM	#51
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,187	Koontz started out as a mediocre science fiction writer. The only one of his better seller thick books I ever struggled through, he armed a character with a 400 shot Uzi. But it was an alternate timeline, so I guess that makes it ok. Best not to go into too much detail, even if correct. A lot of post-apocalyptic adventures read like a Guns n Ammo Buyer's Guide. Dull.

August 2, 2018, 05:30 PM	#53
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	Bubbles called me into the front room where she was catching up on Marvel Shield episodes on Netflix. Re-wound a sequence where a double-barreled coachgun was being carried as a saddle gun on a horse. When it was pulled from the scabbard, the sound of a hammer cocking was clearly heard. On a hammerless gun. When a second actor took it away from the first, we heard the sound of a levergun cycling. This was obviously all written deliberately by the writer to prevent anybody watching from mis-using such a coachgun in real life, after seeing it on the screen. Diabolically clever.... Denis

August 7, 2018, 10:50 AM	#54
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 19,051	I recently read a pulp western novel that reminded me of this thread. I've read just about all of Louis L'Amour's books, so this was a used one I picked up by some second-tier western writer. It was supposed to be set in 1858, but the rugged hero was armed with a Colt revolver (possible ... other than the multiple references to reloading it with cartridges) and a Henry rifle ... which wasn't designed until 1860. And the leader of the outlaw gang was armed with a Walker Colt ... which was also loaded with cartridges. I don't think these errors were intentional -- I think they were pure ignorance mixed with laziness.

August 24, 2018, 10:26 PM	#59
B.L.E. Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Somewhere on the Southern shore of Lake Travis, TX Posts: 2,603	Do authors intentionally insert mistakes? In the case of road maps, yes. These intentional mistakes are called "copyright traps" and are used to prove copyright infringement.