Behind the scenes...

For years, I went to great lengths to keep certain parts of my past out of my writing. Better, I thought, to deal with the past elsewhere and focus on other sources for my creative work. There's only one problem- memories can have sharp edges. It's especially true when they're called back to you via the lives of others.

Although I’d written two novel drafts in the past, I chose different methods to plan my new book. I’d switched to screenwriting in the interim, and now felt more comfortable using those methods as the initial basis for structuring my narrative. It wouldn't be possible to rely on screenwriting methods completely, because novels and screenplays are designed for different purposes. 

It's been a few years and forever since lockdown. You see reminders of it - an occasional "dirty pen" container, faded foot decals marking where people need to stand. I don't think anyone who survived that time is anxious to recall it. But looking back, I realize it's impossible to tell my journey to A Death In Hartsend without mentioning this period.

During lockdown, I expanded my knowledge for my book set in 1970 Kentucky by reading extensively, including "Brown to Meredith" and "Going to School in Black and White." Online communities, Zoom exercise classes, and film-watching with my husband helped me cope. As restrictions lifted, I reconnected with family and friends.

The books I read were invaluable for historical background, period detail, and character development.

A Cheat Sheet for 1970s Slang

You won't know exactly how many characters you will need until you start writing. It's usually better for workflow if you can avoid stopping to create and verify characters.

Good dialogue will help readers become invested in your characters and, by extension, your story.

Ask people their idea of Kentucky, and you're likely to get an answer that mentions horse farms or coal mines. These images tend to be associated with eastern Kentucky. Neither describes my fictional town of Hartsend, which is located in western Kentucky.

As Christmas approaches in Hartsend, Jodie reflects on traditions that will remain the same and those that will be forever changed now that her best friend is dead.

Today we're chatting with Suz Podrasky, an abstract artist and sculptor who works in a variety of mediums. Her most recent exhibit was at the Spectrum Art Fair in Miami. Suz was awarded the "Best of Maryland Preservation Artisans Award" by Preservation Maryland for her work on the historic Ivy Hotel in Baltimore.

This week, we're honored to chat with Joanna White Oldham. Ms. White Oldham is a director, producer, and educator who works in a variety of media platforms. Her credits include Here is A Man (2022) and the Netflix series Buried by the Bernards (2021).

This week we're pleased to be chatting with Whistling Hens.

This week we're chatting with author P. D. Kuch, creator of the "Oxford Girls" series.

This week we're chatting with author Jose F Nodar, writer of Mending Hearts in Crystal Cove.

This week, we're thrilled to present an interview with filmmaker and screenwriter Shoshana Rosenbaum.

This week we talk to Paul Edward Turner, author and actor at Sleuth Films.

This week we talk to DP Lyle, cardiologist and author of the Jake Longly series.

This week we talk to Megan Doney, English professor and author.

This week we talk to Aaron Ryan, entrepreneur and author of "Dissonance"

This week we talk to David Pirinelli, screenwriter and podcaster.

This week we talk to Pam Portland, blogger and novelist.

This week we talk to Hudson Phillips, award-winning filmmaker.

This week we talk to Robert Northam, author.