Ask the Author: Marc Hirsch
Answered Questions (8)
Marc Hirsch
I am a historic detective fiction writer and my stories are all autobiographical to greater or less or extent. I grew up in the Bronx and had many suspicions about my forceful southern Italian neighbors, with whom I suspected my father had some not very legal connection. That has been great fun to explore in a fictional context. I have also gotten to relive some of my fathers childhood on the docks of New York in my second book, Hard Case by me, Marc Hirsch. And finally in my third book, The Con Case, I went overboard with speculation about confidence gangs in big city settings.
Marc Hirsch
Thank you for your question Karl. While I love the process of writing I sometimes get overwhelmed by the enormity of the project of fulfilling my desire to entertain my readers and weave plot twists and character arcs (transformations during the story,) surprises, frustrations and satisfying, exciting resolutions to the strands I create during the telling. I handle this by focusing on just the bit I'm working on this day and, if absolutely necessary, writing notes of ideas to myself.
Marc Hirsch
I think about interesting people I know or have known and let my imagination lead me to a story. I try to use locations I'm familiar with. I create characters who entertain me and give them behavior that I can relate to. Then the story takes on a life of its own.
Marc Hirsch
I am finishing my second book, a sequel to The Case called Hard Case. I now have a small publisher and real editors at Books, Authors and Artists in Louisville, KY. I find that my prose has gotten better. I did more in person research like visiting a newspaper for my newspaper scene, a pool room for the same kind of thing. I interviewed a state police detective for some realistic advice about plot.
Marc Hirsch
Just write like crazy about subjects you feel strongly about or things that engage you. Tell stories about things you know. If you don't know, read about things that interest you and write about them based on your research. Decide whether you need a mentor or a formal course. It's tricky not to overdo other people inhibiting your natural creativity so keep re-evaluating.
Marc Hirsch
I love making stuff up. I love telling my life stories with fictional characters to keep me humble. I love entertaining readers and giving them engaging emotional experiences.
Marc Hirsch
I start writing a scene with a character, clothe them, describe them, give them emotional tells (twitches, behaviors,) then figure out what's happening to them and run with it, put words in their mouths, willing to change or delete the scene. I get ideas as I write. What would this person do or say now? What would be fun to read?
Marc Hirsch
My first book, The Case, was inspired by my love of detective fiction a la Dashiel Hammett & Raymond Chandler. A woman protagonist in the 1950's gave me a chance to portray a rebel in a man's world, inspired by my older sister Nancy.
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