Inside Lenz Network

Dennis N. Griffin, Morgan St. James and Eric James Miller are all very actively involved in the writers' community and their careers. They are all currently writing books, and have many books in publication to their credit--Griffin has 16, St. James 14 and Miller has 2. They have also written published short stories. So what is a writer's life like? How do they come up with ideas? How do you know when your book is really finished? What about juggling writing and work? They will talk about all of these things from experience and more.

Host of popular radio show, Grief Diaries, Lynda Fell joins Shattered Lives to explore different types of loss and grief, primarily loss by homicide. Host Donna Gore will explain this type of loss through her own experience of the loss of her father by homicide, and how the grief of that loss effects her entire family many years later. Grief Diaries includes support groups, awareness campaigns, a book series, resources and a radio show to share the experiences of those worldwide that suffer a loss and grieve in so many different ways. Lynda Cheldelin Fell is president of the National Grief & Hope Coalition, a radio/film producer, post tragedy community facilitator, and an international bestselling author who found herself beginning the long journey through profound grief when her 15 year-old daughter died in a car accident in 2009. Lynda's world took another unexpected turn when her 46 year-old husband suffered a major stroke leaving him with permanent disabilities. Lynda found comfort by helping others

Daily in the news we are seeing instances of cop shootings all across the country. Shattered Lives is honored to have as guests Chief Marty Sumner and Chief Matt Catania on the show together to discuss this alarming topic from the perspective of those who put their lives on the line for our safety.  

Jan Blaser-Upchurch, Victim Services Administrator, AZ Department of Corrections. Jan Blaser-Upchurch has a distinguished record of leadership and service to crime victims, both in Arizona and across the country. She is a steadfast advocate for the rights of victims and has worked diligently to educate the public and train victim advocates regarding vital issues facing the Victim Services community for over 20 years. Tragically, her first husband Sgt John Blaser, AZ DPS, was killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver in 1990. Since his untimely death, Jan has worked tirelessly to educate the public and to enhance DUI and crime victims’ rights legislation. She has dedicated countless volunteer hours and leadership to organizations both statewide and nationally, some of which include: Arizona Concerns of Police Survivors, Arizona DPS Critical Incident Review Board, AZ Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Task Force; Southern AZ DUI Task Force, MADD National Board, and the Concerns of Police Survivors National

Interviews become part of every published author's life. In October Writers Tricks of the Trade will begin to schedule interview segments with authors and those in the publishing business. The interview feature will launch in November. That brings us to how do you give or conduct compelling interviews? Hosts Morgan St. James, Dennis N. Griffin and Eric James Miller have all been on both sides of the mic, and will discuss what works, what doesn't, what to avoid and how to make the interview interesting and animated.

This episode features discussion with 3 State Outreach Coordinators from CUE Center for Missing Persons. Shawn White of Virginia is the featured guest and will present informaiton about several missing persons cases in her area. For details on the missing persons cases, how to volunteer, or to donate to the cause, please refer to CUE Center website NCMissingPersons.Org  Host Donna Gore is the SORC from CT, and co-host Delilah Jones is SORC for South Carolina.

Suicide and it's prevention is the topic of discussion with guest, Brett Scudder of SISFI.Org which also houses the Suicide Institute. They are active in research, training, education, awareness and resources for those who feel hopelessness, as well as a resource for those who have survived the suicide of a loved one.  Sept. 7-12 is National Suicide Prevention Week.   

An unusual parole reversal case, combined with victims’ rights policy and the honoring of a fallen police officer who became the victim of a ruthless homicide. Family members of officer Robert Holcomb join the show along with Plainville, CT Police Chief and Holcomb family friend, Matt Catania to discuss the case and the treatment of the family during the process. We will also discuss the importance of the victim impact statement and recommended reforms for legislation. Previous show: Victim's Wish List  

Jessica O’Grady was a tall, starry-eyed co-ed in search of finding her Mr. Right. Christopher Edwards was a 19-year-old deceitful and darkened soul. David Kofoed was a veteran crime lab commander who was on the prowl for more high-profile sensational murder cases to keep his prestigious forensics lab in the media spotlight. In May of 2006, Jessica’s sudden and mystifying disappearance quickly turned into the biggest news story in Omaha, Nebraska.  John Ferak's BODY OF PROOF lays out critical questions about evidence in the case from the perspective of an investigative journalist.   Ferak will also update listeners on the latest news about Dixie Shanahan, the subject of his book and previous Shattered Lives interview, DIXIE'S LAST STAND.   John Ferak is one of the true crime authors published by WildBlue Press.  Visit the author website, JohnFerak.Com for a complete list of books and order a signed copy.            

Reviews—the good, the bad and the ugly. Authors need them, but sometimes the reviews are less than glowing. Whether deserved or not, those one and two star reviews are like a punch to the gut and we’ll be discussing a little about that as well easy techniques for giving good reviews yourself. Picture your worst nightmare has come true. The book you thought would be a smash hit got a bad review. Does that mean the world will come crashing down around you? Maybe yes, and maybe no.  

Mark Robinson was in front row of traffic that morning; he broke 9 bones and punctured a lung; he is incredibly lucky to be alive. Mark is currently director, internal communications, ING, in Windsor, Connecticut. He has a communications background; that experience plus direct involvement in crash add up to a unique opportunity to provide a first-person account and to get access to behind-the-scenes information, including the personal stories of victims and their families.   For details of this case for the broadcast please read Tragedy on Avon Mountain-Ten Years Later by host, Donna R. Gore.  For host information refer to her Website DonnaGore.Com        

Cold Case Investigative Research Institute continues on the "From the Scene of the Crime Tour". Director Sheryl McCollum and her team of experts are heading across the country to meet with families, experts and law enforcement involved in several high profile cold cases, and many that have not been heard about in the media. They will be joining Shattered Lives each Saturday to talk about what they've accomplished at each of their stops as they make their month long journey across the US.   For background informaton on the tour CLICK HERE and listen to a previous podcast announcing the details of the the tour.

HOLLOW WORDS vs VIBRANT IMAGES ~ DO YOU USE WORDS TO DRAW PICTURES FOR YOUR READERS? Join us when hosts Morgan St. James, author of 14 books, and Eric James Miller, author and President of Writers of Southern Nevada, discuss one of the key elements in writing fiction---the art of drawing pictures with words using artful, rhythmic prose. "The trick is to also make it simple and direct. This technique of using words to trigger a mental image is a variation of show, don’t tell." Language that is too sophisticated, complex or gimmicky, or long blocks of flat narrative sometimes called a laundry list, often trigger inattention instead of creating a visual experience. You might protest that extensive description draws the reader deeper into the story. Unfortunately, it generally works the other way. Why? Because long, occasionally dull passages break the action. They literally freeze the characters in place during a boring dissertation.   

Cold Case Investigative Research Institute proudly kicks off the "From the Scene of the Crime Tour". Director Sheryl McCollum and her team of experts are heading across the country to meet with families, experts and law enforcement involved in several high profile cold cases, and many that have not been heard about in the media. They will be joining Shattered Lives each Saturday to talk about what they've accomplished at each of their stops as they make their month long journey across the US.   For background informaton on the tour CLICK HERE and listen to a previous podcast announcing the details of the the tour.

Don't let PITFALLS become PRATFALLS. Many writers don't realize they are making mistakes because everything seems to be moving ahead smoothly. Sometimes it is what you AREN'T doing, not what you ARE doing. Morgan St. James, Dennis N. Griffin and Eric James Miller discuss potential mistakes writers make--even seasoned ones--and some of the things that can be done to sail past them.

Krush Kent and Marcus Strider of the Guardian Angels discuss Baltimore and Charleston, what's the difference? Are race relations handled differently in these cities, and why? 

WHO SHOULD YOU ASK   TO READ YOUR MANUSCRIPT? Feedback from “first readers” is extremely helpful. They generally aren’t professional editors. Some may be published writers and it is good for the group of first readers to also include readers who are not writers.  Like most things that involve someone’s opinion, however, there is a hitch. Morgan St. James, Dennis N. Griffin and Eric James Miller will delve into things that make an ideal first reader...and it isn't your Aunt Agatha who thinks everything you write is a masterpiece. What do you need to consider?

This is an inspirational story about the power of conviction: the wrongful conviction that sent James Tillman to prison for over 18 years, and the power of his own conviction that helped him persevere, offer a transformational forgiveness and earn a redemption that is so valued he remarkably calls his experience in prison, “a gift.”  "The Power of Conviction" is for people who are facing tough times. You will understand that you’re not alone, that things can be brutally bad and we can react poorly at times, but where there is love, there is always hope.  How did James Tillman endure 18 years of hell in prison? What specific lessons can you learn about the transformational power of forgiveness, love and conviction? When faced with your own challenges in life, what will you choose?

Did you know that habit can be your worst enemy? It doesn’t matter if you write fiction, nonfiction or poetry—writers pretty much base everything upon their own imagination and experiences. Our imagination is triggered by things we’ve seen, learned or actually lived through. In the beginning, we have a basket full of ideas just waiting to be developed, but eventually we work our way through most of them. Then what? How to come up with fresh scenarios and characters? Are you a creature of habit? Do you take the same route from place to place whenever you travel between certain destinations? Do you have favorite restaurants and limit yourself to what you know and love on their menu? Is there a style that defines you? Do you only read favorite authors? Authors Morgan St. James, Dennis N. Griffin and Eric James Miller offer tips and techiniques to break out of your rut.

Shattered Lives Radio discusses the efforts of those in Connecticut who are trying to bring more awareness to their state’s Safe Haven Law which was enacted in 2000. Host Donna Gore welcomes her guest, retired Meriden, CT Police Chief Robert N. Kosienski to shed more light on the importance of Safe Haven laws and the impact it has on the lives of, not only abandoned babies, but also the life of the mother.