Justin DiPego joins us to discuss chapter 6 of Malcolm Karma: Cold Turkey.

Read KNUCKLE SANDWICH: https://amzn.to/44awG1h

Justin's Website: http://dipegonow.com/Books

Justin's TikTok: @DiPegoNow

🎯 Key Takeaways

Core Points:

• The podcast discusses Chapter 5 of “Malcolm Karma, Cold Turkey” with author Ben Schenkman, focusing on his insights and critique.
• Schenkman shares details about his urban fantasy series, emphasizing the blend of humor and serious themes.
• Key elements of writing, including character descriptions and dialogue tags, are explored, highlighting the importance of reader engagement and clarity.
• The discussion touches on cultural representation, particularly in the context of Jewish identity and magic, relevant to Schenkman’s upcoming work.
• The importance of proofreading and reader feedback in the writing process is underscored, especially concerning dialogue and physical descriptions.

🔍 Summary

Chapter Review and Author Insights In the podcast episode, host Neil interviews author Ben Schenkman about Chapter 5 of “Malcolm Karma, Cold Turkey.” Schenkman provides a critical analysis of the chapter while sharing insights from his writing experience. He discusses his urban fantasy series, “The Devil You Know,” which combines dark humor with larger themes, capturing readers’ attention through relatable characters.

Writing Techniques A significant portion of the conversation revolves around writing techniques, specifically the importance of character descriptions and dialogue. Schenkman critiques the tendency of some authors to over-describe characters, suggesting that allowing readers to fill in details fosters a stronger connection. He emphasizes that dialogue tags should enhance clarity without overwhelming the narrative, noting the effectiveness of reading work aloud to ensure a natural flow.

Cultural Representation and Upcoming Work Schenkman also highlights his cultural background, particularly his Jewish identity, and its influence on his upcoming book, “My Brother’s Keeper.” This novel is set to explore Jewish magic and mysticism, reflecting a broader theme of representation in literature. The discussion illustrates how personal experiences can shape narrative choices, reinforcing the idea that cultural context enriches storytelling.

Proofreading and Reader Engagement Lastly, the podcast emphasizes the role of proofreading and feedback in the writing process. Schenkman and Neil discuss common pitfalls in writing, such as inaccuracies in dialogue and action descriptions. The conversation serves as a reminder of the importance of meticulous editing and the value of diverse reader perspectives, which ultimately contribute to a more polished and engaging final product.

Ben’s Links:

Website: https://benschenkman.com

Social media: https://benschenkman.com/links

Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ben-Schenkman/author/B0CRC2J8CJ

Chapter 4 Discussion: Craft, Character, and Controlled Chaos — with Guest Writer Josh Paulabicke

In today’s post-chapter conversation, I sit down with speculative sci-fi writer Josh Paulabicke to dig into Chapter 4 of Malcolm Karma: Cold Turkey. Though short, this chapter marks a turning point — and Josh brings a sharp editorial eye to what’s working, what raises questions, and how subtle choices shift tension and tone.

We talk about:

• Why Chapter 4 is where “the story really begins”

• Opportunities to deepen Elle’s role

• Word choice: “carnage,” “impossibly white,” and the power of connotation

• Malcolm’s surprising comfort around law enforcement

• Behind the scenes: the original version of the opening line

• Using mystery-style withholding inside a thriller structure

• What the envelope of cash might imply (no spoilers!)

• Josh’s upcoming debut and his work with Writing Heights Writers Association

If you love story craft, writing process, and character dissection, you’ll enjoy this deep dive.

About Josh Palubicki

• Speculative science-fiction writer

• Currently finishing edits on his debut novel

• Leadership team — Writing Heights Writers Association

Follow Josh:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshpalubicki14

Writing Heights Writers Association: https://www.writingheights.com/

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