Ask the Author: Judith Pinkerton Josephson
Answered Questions (7)
Judith Pinkerton Josephson
Hands down, my favorite fictional couple is Jamie and Claire from the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. (I have read all the books.) Jamie and Claire go through so much together, and they have a deeply intense relationship. I also like couples in some of Shakespeare's plays, such as Romeo and Juliet.
Judith Pinkerton Josephson
It began eighteen years when I found an antique box that contained courting letters between two people separated by an ocean one hundred years ago. Even a cursory look at the letters told me that there was a story there. As I wrote other books, that story kept tapping me on the shoulder as the letters languished on my shelf. I finally gave in and started writing. The result was Dear Heart: The Courting Letters.
Judith Pinkerton Josephson
It usually starts with an idea. A short two paragraphs I read in a newspaper inspired one of my manuscripts about whales. A paragraph in a book gave me the idea to write Mother Jones: Fierce Fighter for Workers’ Rights. Reading good books also inspires me. I underline words or phrases that I love, analyze the structure, and study how the author weaves the story. Stories are everywhere if we just pay attention.
Judith Pinkerton Josephson
I am currently working on a picture book manuscript as well as a memoir.
Judith Pinkerton Josephson
Read as much as you can, especially in the genre you want to explore. Write every day, even if it’s a sentence or a paragraph. Join a critique group and become part of a writing organization. Constantly learn new words. Tap into all five senses and use them in your writing. Choose strong verbs. Avoid redundancy.
Judith Pinkerton Josephson
One can write anytime, anywhere—in a waiting room, on a walk, in the middle of the night if you get an idea and keep a pen, paper, and a flashlight handy. The only limit is your own imagination. Plus, you might even write in your pajamas and fuzzy slippers, though that doesn’t work for me. It’s too tempting to crawl back into bed.
Judith Pinkerton Josephson
If I am stuck on a paragraph, an opener, or an ending, I shift to another part of the manuscript and work on that instead. Sometimes it helps to simply set aside the piece that’s giving you trouble, and write something else—anything, even a grocery list, as it may get your brain going and your fingers moving. Or, take a walk or do some other form of exercise. Read a chapter in something you are reading for fun. Throw a load of wash in the washer. Another trick is to do a mind map or cluster of words and phrases associated with the part of writing that is giving you trouble. Fill up a page, and perhaps your logjam will loosen.
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