Inside Lenz Network

"To make a living, or to make a life?" was the question burning through the mind of F. Mark Granato for years. As his lucrative, but demanding, career was taking off, sending him to emerging markets throughout the world, he realized there was something missing in his life, a void which needed to be filled, his dream of becoming a writer.

With his sixth book recently published, Granato has accomplished a large part of the dream, being who he was meant to be and finding happiness in it.

Mark Granato's historic novels are inspired by conversations with his grandfather at a young age. Learning about important events of the 20th century, like the sinking of the Titanic (Titanic: The Final Voyage), Charles Lindburgh (Beneath His Wings: The Plot to Murder Lindbergh) and the 1938 Connecticut hurricane (Of Winds and Rage), gave Granato the foundation for his first three books. He then began to recall and research underreported or obscure events in New England history for the basis of his next three books which cover the story of a Vietnam Vet struggling with PTSD (Finding David), the crises and redemption of a family (The Barn Find), and the historic Hartford Hospital Fire (Out Of Reach: The Day Hartford Hospital Burned).

Appearing on Shattered Lives Radio in October, 2014, Sheryl McCollum shared information about the levels of expertise used when students investigate cold cases under her direction. Colleges across the country combine to utilize the talents of experts in all fields of investigative research to shed new light on cases which have not been active. 

Sheryl indicated several new things were coming down the pipeline that she could not talk about at the time. NOW is the time and she will be making some breaking announcements on this week’s Shattered Lives Radio.

It's Christmas Eve and the Elves are busy zipping around with Santa--what happens next? Holiday-themed books and stories can go in many directions when the author uses the "what if" test while creating the plot. They can be fiction, non-fiction, funny, romantic, thrillers, whodunits, fantasies and just about any genre you can think of. They are also ripe playgrounds for the author to add twists. Think about the iconic movie "It's a Wonderful Life," and how many directions that story could have taken. What are some of the elements that draw readers to these books as each holiday rolls around? Do they sell well? Since it is Christmas Eve, Denny and Morgan will be with their families, and this show will be a pre-recorded broadcast for your enjoyment. It will also become part of the archived shows available for future listening. So lift your glass of Christmas cheer while you listen and think about all of the holidays that will inspire and have inspired a huge variety of plots.

Going away to college is a time in a young persons' life that should be about discovery, learning, and making lifelong friends. However, as parents send their children away from home, some for the very first time, there is even more to be anxious about, especially their safety on campus.

According to the Justice Department, "1 in 5 women will be a victim of rape or attempted rape." When these incidents occur on campus property they are in the jurisdiction of campus police, and many victims do not report, or are discouraged to report by school administrators. 

With sexual assaults, active shooters, and luring into human trafficking from our college campuses, the college experience has changed. 

Guest for the hour S. Daniel Carter will discuss these issues and what is being done to create real, enforceable guidelines for campuses to follow in order to make the environment safer for students everywhere.

How do you write with a partner? Because Host Morgan St. James has co-authored six books, she is frequently asked questions like: Do you each write a chapter? Do you each write a character? Do you ever argue over scenes? How do you write long-distance?

St James and co-host Denny Griffin, who has co-authored two books with her, are joined by guest Phyllice Bradner, co-author of the Sillver Sisters Mysteries. These authors unravel the art of successfully collaborating on books in a lively discussion about how to establish a successful relationship with a co-author even if it is long-distance. Call-in questions welcome during the live broadcast.

"Krush" Kent is the street name for Baltimore Guardian Angel Assistant Chapter Commander. Before joining Guardian Angels, and known as Victoria, Krush was a victim of an abusive relationship which subsequently helped create an outreach organization to help recognize the patterns of abuse and honor the victims.

Dialogue is the art of putting words in the character's mouths. It helps the writer tell the story and is a great way to reveal back-story (what happened to bring the characters to this point). Dialogue is also used to refer to a situation that one or more of the characters already knows about, but the reader does not. Sometimes dialogue is used to hint at what might come. Writing compelling dialogue can be challenging, because it often is not the way people really speak. As a vehicle that moves the story along, it shouldn't be dull, boring or too lengthy.

Our guest for this show is Mike Dennis, who writes outstanding dialogue. Mike is the author of eight mystery books and multiple short stories. He also is a narrator for audio books and a former professional musician.

We will discuss how to create dynamic dialogue in books--do's, don't's and tips and techniques. In addition, with Mike's expertise in audiobooks, we will touch on the importance of doing it right if the book is also planned as an audiobook.

Call-ins to the live show are welcome.

One of the avenues for crime victims to have a voice within the courts is through victim impact statements. 

Shattered Lives Radio talks with two champions of victims’ rights, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley and attorney Michelle S. Cruz, who is serving as this week’s co-host.

Host, Donna Gore, offers her personal knowledge of the subject as well as offering something new to the table, a Victim Impact Assistance Service. 

Host website: DonnaGore.Com

As more and more of the incarcerated become senior citizens in prison, the costs to house them rise as well, by approximately three times the expense of younger prisoners. Older prisoners are quickly becoming vulnerable and neglected, often faced with increased violence of fellow inmates, but there aren’t enough services addressing this unique situation, as well as the quandary of the ethical treatment of a fellow human being vs accountability for their crime.

The other side of the dilemma is when elderly inmates are released there are often few resources available, families have dispersed, and they are faced with more uncertainty about their welfare than when they were in prison.

Shattered Lives Radio listeners will hear both sides of the issue with guest Tina Maschi and Shattered Lives host and homicide survivor, Donna R. Gore.

A new show for writers, editors, literary agents, publishers and readers will launch on Blog Talk Radio on November 12. Writers’ Tricks of the Trade with Morgan St. James, will discuss the many aspects of the business and craft of writing. Her guests will be those who have been there and done that and are willing to share their expertise. Listeners will be encouraged to call in with questions and comments or participate via the interactive chat room.

In the debut show, the topic will be Rivet your Reader - Create "can't put down" books.