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The 2019 Interview Series Featuring C.S. Boyack

Here’s an interview of C. S. Boyack courtesy of Don Massenzio

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

Honestly, it’s bulldogs. I own two, Frankie and Otto. Otto weighs in at 65-70 pounds, and Frankie seems to hold steady at 55. They relate to my writing, in that they’re usually in my lap as I write. Otto always, Frankie less so. I have what’s called a chair-and-a-half with an ottoman. He usually takes up that half and leans his head against my shoulder as I write. When she joins in, she’s usually on the ottoman with her head across my legs.

It would feel odd if they weren’t there at this point. I require quiet when I write, and they’re good for that… unless the squirrel runs by on the fence. Then we take a quick break, freshen up the coffee and get back to it.

What do you think are the elements of a good story?

There are so many…

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Is Cursive Dead?

My wife was just making the point that some of the same points and more all because the teaching has gotten well off the concept of learning in favor of making test scores. Computer skills and penmanship both have value. My daughter had to use her handwriting skills to sign her taxes and addressing an envelope because they couldn’t be e-filed. I still write notes for myself but it’s messy since I don’t use it enough. Still handy to have the skill and read it when necessary. BTW, my wife is a teacher…

Story Empire

Hi, SEers! It’s another Mae Day on Story Empire. I’m going to stray a bit from the usual path to talk about…writing. Confused? Then let me explain. I’m going to show my age by revealing that when I went to grade school we had penmanship classes.

Cursive alphabet written on a school blackboard

I remember sitting at my desk in fourth grade and practicing penmanship loops. I also remember teachers of the time being insistent handwriting must have a forward slant. That was bad news for me, because although I’m right-handed, I wrote with a distinctive backward slant. So every class, the teacher would yank out her ruler and crack my hands. Stupid, right? Did it change things?

Very little.

Eventually, after a few years, I did lose most of that backward slant but never did learn how to write with a forward slant. These days when I use cursive writing—which unless I’m signing my name—is non-existent…

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Friday Book Share: The Last Fifty Pages

How you can get the ending of a book just right . Read about Harmony Kent’s book share on Story Empire.

Story Empire

Hello SErs! Harmony here. Today is the day for a book share, and I’ve chosen The Last Fifty Pages by James Scott Bell. Staci Troilo first put me on to this little gem of a book, and it’s now on my writing shelf for easy reference. Thanks, Staci, for the heads-up on this great writing aid.

The Blurb:

“The first page of a book sells that book. The last page sells your next book.” –– Mickey Spillane

What are the secrets for writing a great ending for your novel? How do you leave readers so satisfied that they’ll want another book by you—right now? What tools and techniques can shape your last fifty pages into a powerful, unforgettable experience?

In this book, International Thriller Writers Award winner and #1 bestselling writing teacher James Scott Bell reveals:

• The five types of endings.

• What needs to happen in Act 3.

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