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.

 

Comments

[Joanne]

Nice interview. I think we writers all remember that first small sale, and then? We were hooked!

[Bethany]

Awesome interview!!!! Can't wait to read the second part!

[Melody Platz]

Thanks, Bethany. I know you do your own awesome interviews at http://bethanyhensel.blogspot.com

Joanne, my first sale was for the Chronicle contest through Writer's Digest. I was in the bug room at the Natural History Museum in Washington DC when the call came that I would be published. So my rapture and the sight of live roaches will forever be etched in my brain as my big break. : )