TELL THE DAMN STORY, ep 304: Behind the Headlines - Tom Coffey on Writing Realistic Crime Novels
"Did you choose your interest in crime, or did crime choose you?"
Welcome to another episode of Tell The Damn Story, where your hosts, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons, unravel the art of spinning a tale based on insight, experience and heart.
At least, that's part of our goal.
On today's show, we sit down with the illustrious Tom Coffey—a former journalist turned crime novelist with a knack for weaving the rich tapestry of human experience into his work.
From New York to California, to Miami, and back to NYC, Tom's journalistic encounters led him down into the underbelly of 3 major cities.
So listen as we dive into Tom's transition from journalism to fiction, exploring how reporting's demand for crisp, precise narratives shaped his novelistic flair.
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00:00 Intro.
05:32 Inquiry about childhood influence on writing interests.
07:15 Worked at New York Newsday, emphasizing tabloid journalism.
10:45 Respectful listening guides conversation in journalism interviews.
17:08 Debate about stereotypes in New York City.
19:06 The Author discusses the new book "Public Morals" set in New York, spanning two periods.
21:46 Creators must accurately depict diverse communities in media.
25:58 Fiction from real-life experiences shapes storytelling.
30:13 Motivation for research comes from personal interests.
31:37 The show is based on police corruption scandals.
36:31 Balancing research and character-driven narrative challenge.
40:38 The Author discusses the writing process and plotting techniques.
42:41 Trust your mind, take breaks, and let ideas develop.
46:11 Embracing positive phrasing enhances the creative writing process.
48:10 Grateful for the link, friendship, and memories.
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