Meet DJ Resnick - Writing Fiction to Sell

DJ Resnick has been involved in writing, mentoring, agenting, teaching and editing for many years. His writing career began in Wichita, Kansas in 1953 with his first credited byline. Resnick has been teaching through the Lamar University, Department of Continuing Education since 1988.

We appreciate DJ taking the time to answer the following questions, and teaching Writing Fiction to Sell, Part I and Part II.

Fiction Writing to Sell - Session 1
August 11 - Sept. 15
5:30 - 8:30 pm
ON CAMPUS

Fiction Writing to Sell - Session 2
September 29 - Nov. 3
6:30 - 8:30
On Campus
You may register over the phone with a credit/debit card by calling 409-880-2233.

Interview with DJ Resnick:

How did you get started in this business?
I started as a photographer for my high school paper and yearbook, then carried that over into college. Soon I was having to write the tag lines for the photos then I found myself having to write the articles to go with them and never stopped. I found it was a great way to earn some extra money and I was reasonably adept at it. Since high school I have always written, but it was in addition to regular jobs. First rule of writing is, don't give up your day job.

You’ve critiqued others and judged contests, and you own an editing service, what mistakes do beginning writers make? Some things common to most new writers (and some pros) is wanting to overwrite; explain too much. They want to give the reader more information than is really necessary to show the story. Telling the story rather than showing (experiencing) it through the characters. Use of passive voice, watch the use of was, were, has been and make sure you use an active voice. Repetitive use of words and terms. Underuse of contractions in dialogue which tends to make the character too formal and stiff. Overuse of dialect in dialogue--keep it simple.

What word of advice would you give beginning writers?
The single word of advice to new (as well as seasoned) writers is, WRITE.

In your opinion, is it important for writers to be readers?
It is extremely important for writers to read and reada lot--particularly what they want to write. Reading is more than half of writing. You need to keep up with what's in the market, and it helps the writer to learn and understand the structure of what they are writing.

Who are some of your favorite authors and why?
My reading is pretty eclectic and to try to list my favorite authors would take too much room here.Needless to say, all my favorite authors are excellent storytellers and are able to immerse me in the characters and story.

Are you a member of any writers groups and why is it important to “hang out” with other writers? Over the years, I have belonged to several writer's organizations such as the Romance Writer's of America, The Mystery Writers of America, and several local writer's groups and clubs, both professional and otherwise. The only organization I have belonged to continuously is the Golden Triangle Writers Guild. It is an organization which combines the membership of professional and novice into a support group for both ends of the writing spectrum. It is very important for writers, especially new writers, to associate with other writers. Writing is a relatively solitary occupation and it's great to have the support of others who understand the sometimes eccentric seeming antics of writers. It is through other writers you are able to keep up with the markets in this fast-paced, ever changing business. Almost without exception, seasoned writers are willing to share their experience and knowledge with new writers and that is vitally important to learn the craft of writing.

What do you think about critique groups? Do they help or destroy one’s confidence? Regular critique groups are the best tool a writer has. They are important to keep pushing you to write and it give the writer an immediate feel for what they are writing and eliminate errors before they compound. But one must be careful and choose their critiquers with care. It is one area where the "Golden Rule" applies, 'do unto other as you would have them do untoyou'. Always remember, it is still your story and what a critiquer or others give you is just their opinion.

You are teaching Fiction Writing to Sell. What do you want your students to take away from your course? Out of my Fiction Writing to Sell class, I hope the writers come away with an understanding of all the elements which go into making a well structured, clean(and hopefully saleable) manuscript. To gain a foundation and understanding of the craft of writing. Also how and why it all works together to lessen the chances of rejection.

In your opinion, what is the one how-to book all writers (beginning and seasoned) should have in their library? All how-to books on writing contain something a writer can learn. If I had to choose a single book which a writer should have in their library, it would be, The Techniques of the Selling Writer, by Dwight V. Swain, published by the University of Oklahoma Press.