Crime writer Jennifer Graeser Dornbush gets down to cases with YaYaYa to discuss her writing process and the experience of growing up in a small town in a home which doubled as a the coroner's office.
YaYaYa: Hi Jennifer, how did you get started writing?
Jennifer: The writing path was born in me. I was that child who was creating plays and forcing my sisters and friends to play the parts. I knew by the time I was in third grade I was going to be a writer. I wrote my first “book” when I was in fourth grade. I had my first professional newspaper article published at 19. God had a calling on my life and gave me this gift. Once I discovered that, I tried to nurture it and care for it the best I could. I’m still trying to do that. Our purpose here is to be best stewards of the gifts we have been given. I think I’ll always be trying.
YaYaYa: How does a novel differ from a screenplay?
Jennifer: That’s a big question. To answer is well, you’d have to study each form and that takes a while. But very simply and technically: Screenplays are road maps written for the people who actually create the visual media (actors, directors, camera crew, lighting, wardrobe/make up). They are always written in present tense, third person, objective POV. Novels are fully formed stories and characters meant to be read by the end user- the reader. They are written in various tenses and different POVs (first, second, third, subjective, objective, deep).
YaYaYa: What is unique about writing for mysteries versus romance or slice of life?
Jennifer: Um… I don’t think I’ve ever written slice of life pieces or romance, really. I’ve always been drawn to drama and mystery because it’s like putting together a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle. It uses equally your left and right brain. You have to use the logical part of your mind for creating the trails of evidence, laying out the structure, and the mechanics of the story. The emotional, pathos side of the brain has to make sure you’re tapping into the human element and reaching deep into the human experience so that your story isn’t all plot points and explosions.
YaYaYa: Do you work backward from the mystery solution or do you figure it out as you go along?
Jennifer:I’m a plotter. That comes from my screenwriting training. When I start a new project I pretend I’m the investigator and I create a case file for my “case.” From there I create a rough skeleton outline of the mystery plot. After that I flesh out the character’s arcs and emotional journeys, and B, C, and D stories surrounding the case. Then, I create a treatment. Workshop it. Then, a first draft. More workshopping. I’m a collaborative writer. It’s more fun, makes the project stronger, and gets the project done faster.
YaYaYa: What things have made you a better writer?
Jennifer: Reading, listening, observing, and experiencing.
YaYaYa: Do you have a writing routine?
Jennifer: Yes. I write something every business day. I take weekends off, unless I’m on a tight deadline. I’m less interested in word or page count when I write. I break down a story by tasks… and then assign myself tasks for each day.
YaYaYa: What do you consider your artistic roots?
Jennifer: Several things. First, classical music- both listening to it and studying it. I still listen to my favorite classical station when I write, Interlochen Public Radio. Art. Second, art. My mother is a collector of art and we always had original pieces hanging in our home. We went to galleries and art museums whenever we were in the “big cities” (I grew up in a small, rural town). Third, the outdoors. I spent my entire childhood, all four seasons being outdoors as much as possible. I still need my daily dose of nature. Fourth, reading and drama were huge parts of my upbringing. My parents read to me from a young age. We went to plays, musicals, concerts -- professional and local. I’m so grateful that I not only had strong science influences, but also very consistent, quality artistic influences all through childhood and adulthood.
YaYaYa: What do you read?
Jennifer: Probably 90% non-fiction. Classics. The Wall Street Journal. My hometown newspaper. Books recommended to me.
YaYaYa: What books would you recommend today? One old and one new. And why do you recommend them?
Jennifer: Mindhunter. Read the real story. It’ll blow you away and make you appreciate the TV show and the man behind the main character all the more.
Late Bloomerby Rich Karlgaard. It’s made me feel less anxious about where I think I should be versus where I actually am at my age.
Beekeepingby Joanna Ryde. I eat honey every day. I'm hoping someday I have house on enough land to keep a hive.
YaYaYa: How much history/science research do you do for your coroner?
Jennifer: Well… it’s hard to quantify because it’s so engrained in my upbringing and everything I learned and experienced as a daughter of a medical examine whose father’s office was in our home. But when I do have questions I will call my dad or another personal resource, look in one of my many forensic textbooks, or look online.
YaYaYa: What makes a good mystery work?How to you start writing a procedural or crime drama?
Jennifer: Usually the world or arena of my story comes to me first. Then, I write a logline that focuses on the criminal's plot. I decide who my investigator protagonist is going to be and I work on her character development—especially the WHY. Why is this particular crime going to be so important for her to solve? Finally, I move my investigator protagonist into place to solve the crime by creating a fictional case file for the crime. Basically, before I begin I solve the crime and then go back and write the story.
YaYaYa: You’ve created a new character, a female coroner. What would you like her to be remembered for?
Jennifer: Her persistence. Her sometimes unconventional ways. The way she will press through any circumstance to find to the truth—about a case or her own life. Her compassion. Her integrity.
YaYaYa: Were there any rules of mystery/detective fiction you wanted to challenge?
Jennifer: Um… I feel like I’m still learning the rules, even though I’ve been writing and studying this genre for fifteen years. I just keep coming to the keyboard each day, trying to tell an impactful, entertaining story that brings light and hope into our often dark human experiences.
YaYaYa: What would you add and what would you take away from your writing life to make it better.
Jennifer: Here’s what I wish I had known when I first started writing:
1. How long things take!!! I wish I had started out with more patience. I still get impatient and anxious at time. I want things to happen sooner, faster, better!
2. Not to be so hard on myself, but I guess that's human nature and my stubborn work ethic. It’s okay to push. But you also have to play. Trust in the process and the journey.
3. Focus on Being Thankful! Have daily gratefulness and keep a gratitude journal. Keeps you sane. You can see how much you really have. Reminds you how far you’ve been.
YaYaYa: If you could offer a word of encouragement to an aspiring writer, what would you say?
Jennifer: I have about a billion words… but I’ll just offer my top three.
1) Thank people who help you. Help others. Gratitude rules. And it keeps the ego in check. Being an ungrateful, ego-maniac does not earn you points or make you look cool or in control.
2) Always put your best foot forward. Don’t waste people’s time by giving them shoddy work – be seen as a quality creator.
3) Above all persevere. Don’t discount the little impacts and little projects. They lead to bigger impacts and bigger projects! Think long term. Run the marathon. Never. Give. Up. Never.
YaYaYa: Self-publishing compared to traditional publishing. Any thoughts?
Jennifer: I’ve only ever tried traditional publishing, although I’ve done a lot of research on indie-pub and know a lot of authors who went this way. I think if you can, try to be traditionally published first because you learn a lot about the publishing and marketing process by doing this. Then, you can try your hand at doing it on your own. It’s a lot of work both ways! So, I figured, why not start off with a partner who knows what they’re doing? Also, I think it give authors more credibility to be traditionally published.
YaYaYa: Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do to get back on track?
Jennifer: I guess that depends on what is the definition of Writer’s Block? Do I have those days when I feel stuck and muddy and don’t get much done? Of course. That’s part of the job. Do I even not know what to write about? Never. I think the best tool for a writer is to cultivate the skills of listening and looking around. If you do, you’ll find there’s always fodder for story.
YaYaYa: Having such an intense upbringing around forensics science, how did you decide what to include and what to discard?
Jennifer: My upbringing dealt primarily with death investigation, not so much criminology, DNA, ballistics, and fingerprinting. I wanted to round out my knowledge of crime investigation so I attended the Forensic Science Academy here in Los Angeles. When I was telling my writer friends about my experiences in the academy, they said that they wished they could go through it. I thought, well, why not put the academy in book form for those who aren't able to take the academy? That inspired me to create a book built on the forensic foundation we were taught in the academy. Forensic science is vast and growing! My book is a smorgasbord. You get a sample of everything. You can pick and choose what you need. And if you want more of one thing, I've provided resources that will bring you to a larger meal.
YaYaYa: What are the three biggest mistakes new writers make when writing in the crime genre and how to fix them?
1. Not spending the time, energy, or research to get the forensic facts right.
2. Thinking that what they see on TV or in movies is correct procedure.
3. Writing crime scenes that come off at cliche, plastic, or static (in action and dialogue!).
YaYaYa: What was your process for writing it? Getting it published?
Jennifer: After I finished the academy a writer friend sent me a YouTube video to Michael Wiese Publishing. In the video Ken Lee announced that MWP was seeking material. My friend encouraged me to send in a query. The book was far from ready, but I thought, why not? On a lunch break one day, I wrote a query and sent it off. In less than an hour later Ken contacted me to say MWP was interested. However... it took us a year from to get the pitch right and figure out what the book would be. So I didn't actually sign the book contract until a year after I sent the query. From there it took me another year to write the book. This month will mark exactly three years since I entered the Forensic Science Academy and had the idea to write the book.
YaYaYa: Where do you write, a coffee shop, attic nook, or a cave?
Jennifer: I have many depending on my mood and my schedule. On quiet days when I need to concentrate and break story, I hunker down on my couch or my kitchen table. When I need to get out of the house and feel "professional", I go to my "big girl" office in a building in Santa Monica that overlooks the city and reminds me why I'm here. There are stories to be told to the world! So, get busy telling them, Jennifer! Sometimes I just need a noisy coffee house where I can feel anonymous, yet still connected to humanity. Last Tuesday, a juice shop in Los Feliz was my office for about an hour.
YaYaYa: Share a few of the techniques you learned that changed the way you write.
Jennifer: These are a mix of resources and advice that have helped me.
1. When stuck or blocked—research, take a walk, or refresh with a shower. These never fail me.
2. Best book for those initial outlining stages when you’re breaking story
Save the Catby Blake Synder.
3. Done is better than perfect.
YaYaYa: You’re using your next novel, Secret Remains (releasing 1/7/20), to soft launch your partnership with the Cold Case Foundation. Tell us more about that?
Jennifer: Secret Remains is about Dr. Emily Hartford solving a cold case of a murdered young woman. As Dr. Hartford seeks justice for Sandi, we also learn what happens when a community fails to “see something, say something.” Lack of victim support and turning a blind eye create a perilous situation—which I won’t spoil!
Unfortunately, these kinds of situations are all too common in real life. An FBI study found that since 1995, the national average of solved homicides in the US is 64%. That means 36% are unsolved annually. This bothers me! As do the thousands of unsolved rapes and unreported rapes (up to 80% go unreported!), and the hundreds of thousands of rape kits sitting untested in police offices.
This has been pricking at me for years and I kept telling myself there was not much I could do since I wasn’t in law enforcement? Then, I found the CCF, and realized I CAN do something about this. It was an instant heart connection. I reached out right away to the executive team to find out more and how I could get involved.
Partnering with CCF means my support is providing hope and resources to victims and reducing the risk of future victims of these crimes. My donations and promotion mean law enforcement can get the funding and training they need to tackle and solve violent cold cases.
My partnership with CCF involves two main things and I would like to invite you to join me!
1) Contribute! The CCF needs funding to assist in cold murder, assault, and missing persons cases and support victims. I am asking readers to join me in donating to CCF and tag Secret Remainsin the payment memo. http://www.coldcasefoundation.org
2) Provide Better Victim Awareness! Invite me to speak on the principles of victim prevention that every community and age group needs to know! Presented with researched facts, honest truth, humor, stories, and practical tips, you can implement what you learn immediately and lower your risk of becoming a victim of a crime.
Contact me: jenidorn@yahoo.com.
For more information on Jennifer and her writing go here:
Website: www.jenniferdornbush.com
Newsletter: www.jenniferdornbush.com
Twitter: JGDornbush
Comments