[Thumper1960]

If some Hollywierd actor/actress can be an expert called to testify in congress about any subject, due to the fact they "played" one in a movie or on television, surely a novelist can be held up as an "expert".

[Terriergal]

If some Hollywierd actor/actress can be an expert called to testify in congress about any subject, due to the fact they "played" one in a movie or on television, surely a novelist can be held up as an "expert"

Great point. I would imagine any novelist especially those that write fiction based on many historical events, someone who has to create many believeable characters in a believeable plot, would have to do a bit more research than an actor who simply has to portray one character in a story.