JOANNA ELM, Author, Journalist, Attorney
The Pleasures and Perils Of A Writing Life
I’m always aware of that old saying about idle minds becoming the devil’s playthings. So naturally, once I sent my revised manuscript out of the house and on its way into my agent’s inbox, I looked around for something worthwhile to do. Continue reading “My Evening With Vogue Editor, Anna Wintour: A Review”
For anyone who doesn’t get the “McBrilliant” reference in today’s blog title, you obviously have never watched Grey’s Anatomy. That’s the ABC-TV medical drama — created by Shonda Rhimes — in which Derek, the best-looking neurosurgeon in the show is nick-named McDreamy and Mark, the equally hot-looking plastic surgeon is known as McSteamy. Continue reading “Shonda Rhimes is McBrilliant in Her Masterclass on TV Writing”
Would you watch an online class if bestselling Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown was teaching how to write a thriller? If you’re trying to write one, my bet is you’d sign up pronto. I did. Yes, I did — even though you’d think I should have some idea of how to write one by now. After all, I’m just two weeks away from submitting a revised manuscript for Book3 to my editor. Continue reading “So You Want To Write A Thriller? Watch Dan Brown in MasterClass: Here’s Why”
Twice this week I was flummoxed, maybe even a little miffed, by things I heard about the craft of writing (specifically screenwriting) and journalism (specifically investigative journalism.) In the latter case, I received an email from Brad at MasterClass and this is what it said: “Bob Woodward Teaches Investigative Journalism.” In the email trailer, Woodward promises to teach students how to research, gather information, interview people, and how to find the story and build the story. Wow! Continue reading “So You Think You Can Be A Journalist? It’s Not That Easy”
It’s News Squib Saturday, but I’m going Behind the Scenes today because Book3 is very much on my mind. Thank goodness, I am getting back on track after a few disconcerting weeks which I wrote about a couple of Saturdays ago. Looking over some photos I took last year when I was researching locations reminded me of the work I’ve already done on the book.
It also helped to have a bit of a nudge from bestselling author James Patterson. He delivers a MasterClass (a series of 22 instructional videos) which any aspiring author or even a well-established author can download for a mere $90. The class looks at all aspects of writing a bestseller including how to find ideas, how to plot, write outlines and so on.
One of the tutorials focuses on researching locations like I did one day last Summer on the North Fork of Long Island. Part of Book3 takes place on the North Fork which is more secluded and remote (so far) and more rugged than the South Fork (better known as the Hamptons.) As Patterson says, ” It’s really useful to walk around a location and make notes about whatever catches your eye.” Continue reading “Location! Location! Location! (Behind the Scenes#6)”