The Writer's Comfy Corner

Interview - Dennis Palumbo - From Crime to Crime - Part One

On June 30th, I posted a review of Dennis Palumbo's book, Writing from the Inside Out, one of my favorite writing advice books.  I emailed the review to him and boldly asked for an interview.  I am honored to tell you he agreed to let me ask him a bunch of questions.

Dennis Palumbo is definitely worth listening to.  He's just published a new book entitled From Crime to Crime, he is a full time psychotherapist, and he helps writers work through issues that could seem paralyzing.  I know you will enjoy Part One of my interview with Dennis Palumbo.

Q: Let’s start off with my favorite question: What do you love most about writing?

Dennis: Simply put, the writing itself. Putting words down, then reading what I’ve written, then making changes. The actual process of doing it. Of course, I know the famous quote
by Dorothy Parker, who, when asked if she liked writing, replied, “I like having written.” And while that’s true for me as well, I like the actual experience of writing even more. Being in the world of the characters and the story, seeing where my imagination takes me.

Now, when it comes to the business of writing---agents, editors, promotion, queries, etc.---that’s another story!

Q: You are a licensed psychotherapist and you have a new book of mystery stories out. How much of your day do you usually spend writing?

Dennis: Since I have a full private practice, I usually just have my lunch-time for writing...which is probably why I mostly write essays, reviews and short fiction! But I’ve found that if I’m consistent, and try to write a little every day, it’s amazing how much writing can get done.

I think, given my strong working-class background, that I’m fortunate to have a kind of “blue-collar” work ethic when it comes to writing. Even doing a little bit each day can result in a lot of finished material. Also, I like a quote by screenwriter Frederic Raphael, who said, “For a writer, there’s only one definition of work: pages that are there in the evening that weren’t there in the morning.” 

Q: I’m sure you had quite a journey to being published. Can you share one of your first writing memories with us?

Dennis: One of my fondest memories involves selling my first short story, to Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, way back in the late 70’s. I was a struggling writer, working in telephone sales (at which I was absolutely terrible!), and living in a tiny apartment in West L.A. The day I opened that envelope from EQMM and saw that they’d accepted the story is etched forever in my mind. I can still see that envelope in my hand, and remember the thrill and terror that I felt as I tore it open.

Isn't Dennis just great?  Come back next Wednesday for Part Two of my interview with Dennis.

Bio for Dennis Palumbo: Formerly a Hollywood screenwriter (My Favorite Year; Welcome Back, Kotter, etc.), DENNIS PALUMBO is now a licensed psychotherapist specializing in creative issues. Author of the noted nonfiction book, Writing From the Inside Out (John Wiley), his mystery fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, The Strand and other publications. His new collection of mystery short stories, From Crime to Crime (Tallfellow Press), has just been released. For more information, visit www.dennispalumbo.com.

 

Fun and Networking at the 2008 Backspace Writers Conference

On August 7th and 8th, I attended the Backspace Writers Conference in New York City.  I accompanied fellow writer and friend, Bethany Hensel, as a reporter covering the event.

It was wonderful to be in the company of so many other writers.  The Backspace Writers Conference gives the attendee lots of options.  You can meet an agent, there was time to mingle with editors and published authors, and the ten panel discussions per day provided a chance to learn and ask questions of experts in such topics as Hot Genres, Promoting like a Pro, and how to approach a memoir.

The conference was geared to people who nearly have a book written or are pretty far along in the process.  Most of the people I met could explain in great detail about the agents they were looking for and how they were going to try to market their book.

My favorite moments of the conference were having lunch with some new friends, meeting William Powers (who writes brave non-fiction about the countries he's lived in) and seeing John Elder Robison's presentation "On Speaking Engagements and Book Signings".  Robison owns an automobile industry, worked and traveled with the band Kiss, and lives with Asperger's, a form of autism.

My experience at the Backspace Writers Conference underscored a lot of the things I've believed for a long time:

- Treat agents and editors with respect and dignity.  They're people just like you and me.

- Hang out with your fellow writers.  They're fun, generous, and you'll learn a lot.

- Becoming a published writer is a long journey.  Most writers work incredibly hard to get their books in print. 

- Keep working and have as much fun as possible.

The next Backspace Writers Conference will be held May 28th and May 29th at the Radisson Martinique hotel in New York City in 2009.

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Review - Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott

Anne Lamott wrote my all time favorite writing advice book, Bird by Bird.  So when I saw her book describing her experiences with faith, I thought, “This is going to be good.”

Traveling Mercies is good and deeply personal and sometimes heartbreaking, as well as funny and hopeful.  Lamott describes the culture that encouraged her to use alcohol and drugs as a young child.  She doesn’t assign blame to anyone, but I felt the power of her struggle.  She was like a tiny boat adrift in an ocean of ideas and addictions and the need to be perfect.

Lamott guides you through her transition to Christianity while recognizing the dignity and power of her Zen and other religious friends.  For her, all experiences both silly and terrifying have been a way to live in harmony with Jesus in her life.  When her car breaks down, she prays.  When her bathing suit is too tight, she forgives the teenage girls who stare at her.  And when her best friend dies from cancer, she wonders how she will ever survive.

I sank into this book, loving it, and Lamott, from its very first pages.  She has the power to take you into a situation, show you the humor and the pathos, and then to tell you how she sees wisdom without ever talking to you like she’s more holy or perfect or more anything, except maybe more terrified.

If you have a love of spiritual ideas, Traveling Mercies a dear book that will give your soul a lift.

By clicking on the Amazon icon at the top right of this article you can browse books, find other spiritual-themed books and support this blog all at the same time.

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Review - Writing from the Inside Out by Dennis Palumbo