When Words Collide 2026

   Featuring a retired homicide detective, a forensic criminal psychiatrist, a divorce attorney, and a prolific author of neurodivergent characters, this panel will expose the psychology of the villain's mind and the investigator's drive. Understanding why people commit criminal acts can enrich your writing and bring realism to the crime writer's story.    Panelists will share insights and methods for developing nuanced criminal characters and investigators, discuss psychological diagnoses, and offer ideas on how to tackle sensitive topics such as trauma, addiction, and mental health.
   Panel takeaways:
   * Creating well-rounded, believable criminal characters.
   * Discovering the motive(s) driving your main characters.
   * Approaches to writing about mental health issues and trauma in a sensitive and realistic way.
   * Developing investigative characters who understand and respond to the criminal mind.