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Celebrating ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’
In honor of the opening day of New Moon, the latest film in The Twilight Saga, we thought we ...
The Cheryl Behind the Cheryl
Known to many as the long-suffering (ex)wife of funnyman Larry David, the man behind Seinfeld, ...
BlogTalkRadio Host of the Week: Alfred McComber from...
By Christina Blodgett In our continuing effort to spotlight more members of the BlogTalkRadio ...
http://www.dennisngriffin.com
Country: United States
Language: English
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lefty 10
9/27/2009 10:09 PM UTC
love the show on blackwidows denny. have another one.thanks nikki
Total-Deliverance
9/24/2009 5:39 PM UTC
Help us to help those with Bi-Polar, Depression and other Mental Illnesses. Hey we got a Brand New Website and blog. We need you to tell us how we can make it better. www.rcmintv.us AND we have a NEW Support blog for people with bi-polar disorder, depression, and/or ANY other mental illnesses or those that have loved ones with a mental illness. It is at: http://rcmintv.livejournal.com/ We are doing TV Broadcasts now more than Radio, that's why we are no longer doing shows here. See you there my friend.
lovelaw
8/12/2009 11:40 PM UTC
GREAT SHOWS DENNY! Glad I can listen "on demand"!~
6/15/2009 6:47 PM UTC
love your shows denny and love you on simon too keep up the good work.
KarenO
6/4/2009 1:57 AM UTC
I waited and it finally loaded.
6/4/2009 1:23 AM UTC
I'm listening to today's show, 6/3/09, but am giving up on this ridiculous chatroom and it's eternal logging in. Great show, crummy BTR application.
dojewo
6/4/2009 1:09 AM UTC
I can't get on the show, Doj
5/13/2009 8:12 PM UTC
Denny Griffin is the God Father of crime on BTR!
5/7/2009 1:51 AM UTC
I meant time to call Ricardo back--from the Specter 1 jury.
delilah1
4/23/2009 2:25 AM UTC
As always, your shows are interesting each and every time!
4/13/2009 10:44 PM UTC
Time to call Roberto back!! Yet another great J-13 show to look forward to!!!!
Susan Murphy Milano
4/8/2009 6:13 PM UTC
My new show airs tonight, hope to see you there! Thanks for being there for me so often!
3/25/2009 5:01 AM UTC
Wow, what a lineup you have this week! All my favorites, too. I don't know how you do it but keep on getting the great ones for us! Head of Denny Fan Club, KarenO
3/10/2009 12:36 AM UTC
I can't wait for the J13 show
3/9/2009 11:14 PM UTC
I am looking forward to the J13 Episode!~
3/5/2009 12:02 AM UTC
Really looking forward to tonight's show on Hanna Mack. That poor little angel didn't have a chance. What kind of monsters are we churning out into this world??!!
2/6/2009 6:46 AM UTC
Diane hit the nail on the head when she said "characters"! I wish it had been a longer show!
Mandy Mitchell
2/5/2009 8:21 PM UTC
Denny that was a great show last night. I wish it were longer!
Carole Anne
12/11/2008 8:47 PM UTC
Denny, I have listened to several of your shows and I am a big fan. Great interviews! Your life must have been so fantastic. I would love to have you on my show sometime!
11/21/2008 4:13 AM UTC
Always a great show and first rate authors on Denny's show! Don't miss it!
Denny Griffin
9/6/2008 2:37 PM UTC
Check out my Caylee Anthony posts at http://dennisngriffin.wordpress.com
9/6/2008 7:50 AM UTC
Denny Griffen rocks! He is a voice for (not so) average America.
Annie Rose Bio-Med
9/3/2008 12:22 AM UTC
Thanks for the listen AND your Comment/Support. Michael Johns is great!
Life Trekking Coach
7/21/2008 3:34 PM UTC
Enjoyed the "Sleepy Town" show!! :)
Aging Nymphs
7/20/2008 1:54 AM UTC
Denny, loved the "Dump that Chump" show! But whatever made you think I'd be interested in that? Ha!
Jack Miller
4/18/2008 7:03 PM UTC
Great show Dennis. Thanks Cheryl, I will probably be contacting you as a client.
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Following a 20-year career in investigations and law enforcement in New York State, I decided to try writing stories about what I saw. That turned into a career that has included 10 books, two on the Amazon best seller list.
Date / Time: 12/10/2009 2:00 AM UTC
Category: Current Events
Call-in Number: (646) 478-0982
Tonight we’ll be talking about domestic violence with Ben Atherton-Zeman. Ben is a spokesman for the National Organization For Men Against Sexism. (www.nomas.org). Ben also performs a multi-media play dealing with sexual assault and domestic violence, titled Voices of Men. My co-host for tonight’s show is Anny Jacoby of the REALISTIC Female Self-Defense Company.
Upcoming Episodes
12/23/2009 2:00 AM UTC - Seeking Justice - the Scharff/Freeman murders
Date / Time: 10/14/2009 1:00 AM UTC
Tonight Kim Kolton and I will be joined by David LaBahn of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. Mr. LaBahn will explain the workings of the legal system and take your phone calls and questions.
Original Air Date: 12/30/2007 7:00 PM UTC
Date / Time: 12/5/2007 3:43 AM UTC
Research
When I think of research in conjunction with writing, two things come to mind. There is, of course, the research you have to do for your story, especially if you’re writing non-fiction or historical fiction. But before you get to that, if you’re a new author working on your first manuscript, you’d be very wise to research the business of writing. Before you invest your time, hopes, and dreams in your book, have some idea of what you’re going to do with the manuscript when it’s completed.
First, you need to identify your motivation and what you want from your book. If you’re writing a family history, for example, you probably aren’t expecting huge financial rewards or national recognition. But if your goals are loftier, you should have some knowledge at the start about what lies ahead of you. When your work is finished, you should already know who is going to edit it and what your publishing options are. Have you thought about what you’ll do if a traditional publisher doesn’t want your book? Are you prepared to self-publish? Have you identified your target audience? As an unknown author, do you know what the chances are of getting your book on the bookstore shelves if you use a self-publishing and/or POD service? Do you have a marketing plan?
I raise these questions not to discourage you, but to encourage you to become aware of the realities of the business you’re considering getting into. Many basements, garages, file cabinets, closets, and desk drawers are filled with manuscripts that were written by authors who thought they could simply put their story on paper and their job was over. Editors, publishers, agents, and publicists would handle everything else. They could sit back in their easy chairs waiting for the call telling them where their next signing would be or when their book tour would start.
In fact, that was pretty much my attitude when I started working on my first book, The Morgue. I can tell you that I’ve learned in the 11 years and eight books since, that ain’t the way it works. So please, do yourself a favor and start your writing career with your eyes wide open and as much knowledge about the business as you can get.
Now, I’ll move on to researching for your story. Why is good research important when writing your non-fiction or historical fiction manuscript? In addition to potential legal issues, you owe it your readers to present the most accurate account of the subject you’re writing about as possible. I have a rather basic philosophy about research: Do it and document it. Seek information on your topic from all sources available to you. The Internet, newspaper archives, magazines, other books, documentary films, public records, and the actual people who participated in or witnessed specific events, are all resources you can utilize in your quest for accuracy.
Most major incidents are reported in a variety of places, are well documented and fairly easy to verify. When the information is sketchier, compare whatever accounts you’re able to find for consistencies and discrepancies. There may be times when you find multiple versions of the same event and can’t determine which is correct. In those instances you may want to exclude that particular incident or the unresolved portion of it from the story.
If your source is from the Internet, print it out and keep it in your files. If the information is from a newspaper, get a copy of the paper or at least the relevant article; ditto with a magazine. If you’re using another book, make sure you identify the title, author, and publisher.
Today, virtually every documentary shown on TV channels such as Discovery, A&E, National Geographic, and The History Channel offer tapes/CDs of their programs for sale. If it’s important, buy a copy. Yes, it’s an expense. But it may be a small price to pay should your version of events be challenged. And if you’re interviewing a person, record the interview or take detailed notes. Remember, human beings can have faulty memories, or even lie. If possible, get documentary evidence to corroborate witness statements.
Remember to include attributes and acknowledgements, and obtain permissions as necessary.
Let me close by mentioning my current area of focus: organized crime in Las Vegas, the Tony Spilotro era in particular. There is a self-published book out that is listed as “True Crime” and contains a section on Tony Spilotro. I read that portion of the book and came away appalled at the number of mistakes and inaccuracies I found. Some of them could possibly be explained away as typos. I know that almost every book contains a typo or two, no matter how good the author, editor or publisher. But using different dates of death two pages apart, citing a trial as occurring in Chicago when it took place in Las Vegas, and reporting a mistrial as an acquittal go way beyond typos. To me, those things demonstrate poor or no editing, grossly inadequate research, and a lack of respect for the readers by passing the book off as “True Crime.”
Credibility, or a lack thereof, can make or break a non-fiction author. Readers may overlook typos and minor inconsistencies in unimportant matters. But if the author plays fast and loose with the facts and gets caught, he might very well have to kiss his literary career goodbye.
Do your research and document it. Learn to make it an enjoyable part of your writing project and rest easy in the knowledge that you’ve produced the most accurate book possible.
Date / Time: 12/2/2007 6:08 PM UTC
I began writing in 1994, following a 20-year career in investigations and law enforcement in New York State. That same year my wife and I moved to Las Vegas, but we spend the summers in upstate New York.
My first book, The Morgue, was released in 1996. It is a fictionalized account of an investigation I did of a medical examiner’s office run amok. The facility was involved in illegally harvesting research tissue, keeping bodies that should have been buried or cremated and falsifying records to conceal its activities. Five more mystery/thrillers followed.
In 2001 I turned my attention to non-fiction, writing Las Vegas police and organized crime books. My crime books focus on the Vegas reign of Chicago Outfit enforcer Tony Spilotro. This is the same time period dramatized in the 1995 movie Casino, in which actor Joe Pesci played a character based on Spilotro.
My most recent book — CULLOTTA – The Life of a Chicago Criminal, Las Vegas Mobster, and Government Witness — was co-authored with Frank Cullotta, Spilotro’s former lieutenant-turned-government witness. Frank was a technical consultant to the film and appeared in several scenes as a hit man. CULLOTTA was released nationally in July 2007.
For additional information about me or my books, please visit: http://www.dennisngriffin.com
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