by Judy Penz Sheluk | Oct 1, 2022 | Behind the Story, One Writer's Journey
In preparing for an upcoming speaking engagement I’ve been thinking a lot about writing novels and short fiction. A question that often comes up relates to theme. “What’s your book about?” someone asks. The easy answer is the plot—this happens and then this happens,...
by Judy Penz Sheluk | Sep 10, 2022 | Behind the Story, One Writer's Journey
It’s my pleasure to welcome back fellow Sister in Crime Lois Winston, who is here today to share her take on dysfunctional families. Take it away, Lois: As authors, we’re often told to write what we know. That’s not always possible for those of us who write...
by Judy Penz Sheluk | Aug 3, 2022 | Behind the Scenes, One Writer's Journey
By the time authors type “The End” at the end of a 95,000-word novel whose creation has probably taken months—even years—you’d think they’d know it pretty well. The close attention demanded by editing, rework, external review, more rework, and maybe a dozen more steps...
by Judy Penz Sheluk | Apr 30, 2022 | Let's Talk About Writing, One Writer's Journey
As an author, I’ve taught creative writing and presented workshops and one of the reasons for “not writing” or “not finishing” that often comes up is “I have such a busy life, I just can’t seem to find the time to...
by Judy Penz Sheluk | Mar 12, 2022 | Let's Talk About Writing, One Writer's Journey
Every reader and every writer has a pet peeve. Mine happens to be the overuse of exclamation points. In his “10 Rules,” Elmore Leonard says: “Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of...
