Ep 63: Fictionalizing Real Life with Pamela Kripke

In Episode 63 of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I had the opportunity to chat with Pamela Gwyn Kripke, a journalist and author whose writing has appeared in dozens of publications, including The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Huffington Post, Slate, Salon, and Parenting.

Pamela's novel, At the Seams (Open Books, April 2023), details the journey of precocious eight-year-old Kate Nichols, whose understanding of her world is shattered when she learns of an uncle who died inexplicably in the hospital just days after his birth. 

Interview Highlights: 

• How to turning a real-life event into the premise for a novel (plus when---and why---the fiction component took over)
• Pamela's unique writing process when it comes to “layering in” detail (that doesn't work for most people!)
• Thoughts on why experiences stick with us well enough that we can write about them in great detail decades later (even though we can’t remember what we have for breakfast that morning)
• Pamela's publishing journey, and why she ended up choosing a traditional small press
• Her fun, diverse approach to book marketing
• The differences between journalistic writing and book writing (all you journalists/freelance writers will love this part of the conversation)

ABOUT PAMELA

Pamela Gwyn Kripke is a journalist and author whose writing has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Dallas Morning News, The Huffington Post, Slate, Salon, Medium, New

Guygiene lets you equip your young guy with a monthly box of confidence that introduces cool personal hygiene swag from top brands,  developed just for teen and 'tween boys.  

Get 15% off your first box by visiting GoodGuygiene.com and using code writethedamnbook at checkout. 

MOCKUP SHOTS DEAL

I've used MockUp shots for years to create attention-grabbing images great for social media.

It usually costs $207, but they're offering a 60% discount on lifetime access with lifetime updates. It's a great way to get an unheard-of price on a product that will make you money and that you will end up using all the time.

Click Here for 60% off >>

Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.

Available wherever podcasts are available:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Let's Connect!
Instagram
Website

Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com

The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.

To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth