Hello!! Like so many others, I am new to the site. I am an aspiring writer who has dabbled in fiction since I was a teenager. I recently submitted a short story to a contest. For me, submission alone was a win because after 20 plus years of dabbling, I have recently committed myself to increasing my knowledge of the craft of writing. I am beginning to whisper to family and friends that I am a writer. I look forward to the day when I will feel comfortable enough to shout from the proverbial mountaintop that I am, in fact, a writer.

I have a dilemma and hope someone out there can offer some advice. I have written mostly fiction, but there is a nonfiction story that has haunted me for the past eight years. I live in a rural community in the South where everyone knows everyone. I am not originally from the area and even after living here for over fifteen years, I am still considered an "outsider." The story is related to a horrific crime that was committed by a prominent local who was convicted of multiple counts of child molestation. The details of how the pedophile was allowed to commit the crimes are so remarkable that one just shakes their head in disbelief. The reason the story haunts me is because I believe there are lessons to be learned from this story for every parent and community in America. It is my understanding that this story did not make the national news. In fact, there was limited local coverage as well. It was, in some ways, swept under the rug and is a topic that no one talks about. I have a burning desire to tell this story but feel pretty confident that none of the "players" would cooperate. All information would have to be gleaned from the court file. I feel certain that once I go to the courthouse and request the court file, the news that someone is snooping around the case would spread like wildfire. Moreover, I am pretty certain that I would be ostracized in some way which is okay since my family are considered outsiders anyway.

So, does anyone think I should pursue this? I keep returning to the idea no matter how hard I try to tell myself it is a hopeless cause...none of the key players will cooperate with interviews, no publisher would be interested, etc. My husband and family all think I should put on my game face, show up at the courthouse, request the file and get busy. And, my heart tells me the same. Help!! Need advice. Does anyone think a true crime story can be told without cooperation of key players? I am certain that the level of corruption involved in this story is unimaginable.

Thanks in advance for any input. I look forward to your response.