Willamette Writers Salem Presents

Write What You Know – Or Don’t – with Deni Starr

This meeting is in-person only. Join us on Saturday, April 1st, from 10-12, in Anderson Room A at the Salem Public Library.

Award-winning author Deni Starr shares her theories on making your fiction credible and interesting while also having fun doing it. “If you’re not having a good time writing your book, you’re doing it wrong.” The author discusses how she has used her own background in criminal law, divorce law, martial arts, and investigations to make her mysteries realistic, while avoiding dull plot scenes that involve, “writing what you know” when it’s mundane. “Never drag your readers through throwing out rotted food in a fridge unless you’ve put a severed head in it.” The presentation also encourages writers to research their work through reading, study, and real-life activities. “But be careful running through the woods in handcuffs, that’s an easy way to break an ankle.”

Lastly, the author discusses the fun and acceptability of enjoying the writing process by imagining things you’d never do and putting yourself in fun and exciting roles.

About Deni Starr

Deni Starr, a native Portlander, and fourth-generation Oregonian, a fact she intends to mention prominently should she ever run for office, started devoting her time to writing novels after out-growing the practice of law. She has five novels published by Silverleaf Publishing featuring her ex-professional boxer, Sean O’Conner, and his professional investigator friend, Cindy Matasar who investigate boxing-themed mysteries set in contemporary Portland. They are “Below the Belt” “Sucker-Punched”, “Throwing in the Towel.”, “Saved by the Bell”, and “Down for The Count”. She also has “Murder by the Sea” by Launchpoint Press.

Deni Starr attended Occidental College in Los Angeles and graduated with Honors and Special Distinction majoring in English with an emphasis on creative writing and journalism. She then attended Willamette Law School in Salem, Oregon, and practiced law while also obtaining her black belt in Wu Ying Tao karate. Her law practice emphasized representing women victims of gender crimes, appellate law, and indigent criminal defense. She also has a background in private investigation. She lives in Portland with her two dogs, Ekaterina Vitalia Dementiava, and Alexandretta Elena Dementiava, and her cats, The Maxine Hays Memorial Cat of the Portland chapter of the Oregon Federation and Business & Professional Women’s Local Organizations and Mocha.

About your chapter meetings

Willamette Writers meetings are open to all writers, 18 and up. Guests are welcome to make a donation to help support the cost of the meeting (we believe in paying our speakers for their time and skills). This meeting is run by volunteers. We look forward to seeing you there!

Young writers are encouraged to join our Young Willamette Writers meetings. Sign Up! Any high school or middle-grade writers are welcome to join us. Sign up for our email list at: http://eepurl.com/hRubBf  A registration link will be sent to our email list before our next meeting.

MASKING: Willamette Writers continues to require mask-wearing at our in-person, indoor meetings. If you are unable to mask, we invite you to join us at one of our online Chapter Meetings. Here is a link to our policies.