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Behind the scenes...

Musings and insights from the author.

Journey to writing a book

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11 Jan 2022
5 min read
Journey to Writing a Book

Tough Look Back

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.
Journey to Writing a Book

Preparations and Complications

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. 
Journey to Writing a Book

When Everything Changed - Pt 1

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.
Journey to Writing a Book

When Everything Changed - Pt 2

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.
Journey to Writing a Book

Connections Through Reading

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

The world of the book

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Full name
11 Jan 2022
5 min read
The World of the Book

Catch My Drift

A Cheat Sheet for 1970s Slang
The World of the Book

All in a Name

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.
The World of the Book

Chatting With Characters

Good dialogue will help readers become invested in your characters and, by extension, your story.
The World of the Book

Knowing Your Place

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.

Conversations

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Full name
11 Jan 2022
5 min read
Conversations

Meet Suz Podrasky

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.
Conversations

Meet Joanna White Oldham

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).
Conversations

Meet Whistling Hens

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

Meet P.D. Kuch

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

Meet Jose F Nodar

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

Meet Shoshana Rosenbaum

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

Meet Paul Edward Turner

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

Meet DP Lyle

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

Meet Megan Doney

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

Meet Aaron Ryan

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

Meet David Pirinelli

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

Meet Pam Portland

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

Meet Hudson Phillips

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

Meet Robert Northam

This week we talk to Robert Northam, author.

More articles

Journey to Writing a Book
Part
2

Preparations and Complications

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. 
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
1

Meet Suz Podrasky

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.
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
2

Meet Joanna White Oldham

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).
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
3

Meet Whistling Hens

This week we're pleased to be chatting with Whistling Hens.
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
4

Meet P.D. Kuch

This week we're chatting with author P. D. Kuch, creator of the "Oxford Girls" series.
Dana Lemaster
The World of the Book
Part

Catch My Drift

A Cheat Sheet for 1970s Slang
Dana Lemaster
Journey to Writing a Book
Part
1

When Everything Changed - Pt 1

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.
Dana Lemaster
Journey to Writing a Book
Part
2

When Everything Changed - Pt 2

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.
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
5

Meet Jose F Nodar

This week we're chatting with author Jose F Nodar, writer of Mending Hearts in Crystal Cove.
Dana Lemaster
The World of the Book
Part

All in a Name

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.
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
6

Meet Shoshana Rosenbaum

This week, we're thrilled to present an interview with filmmaker and screenwriter Shoshana Rosenbaum.
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
7

Meet Paul Edward Turner

This week we talk to Paul Edward Turner, author and actor at Sleuth Films.
Dana Lemaster
Journey to Writing a Book
Part

Connections Through Reading

The books I read were invaluable for historical background, period detail, and character development.
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
10

Meet DP Lyle

This week we talk to DP Lyle, cardiologist and author of the Jake Longly series.
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
9

Meet Megan Doney

This week we talk to Megan Doney, English professor and author.
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
11

Meet Aaron Ryan

This week we talk to Aaron Ryan, entrepreneur and author of "Dissonance"
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
12

Meet David Pirinelli

This week we talk to David Pirinelli, screenwriter and podcaster.
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
14

Meet Pam Portland

This week we talk to Pam Portland, blogger and novelist.
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
13

Meet Hudson Phillips

This week we talk to Hudson Phillips, award-winning filmmaker.
Dana Lemaster
Conversations
Part
15

Meet Robert Northam

This week we talk to Robert Northam, author.
Dana Lemaster
The World of the Book
Part

Chatting With Characters

Good dialogue will help readers become invested in your characters and, by extension, your story.
Dana Lemaster
The World of the Book
Part

Knowing Your Place

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.
Dana Lemaster