SCWC’s periodic Writing for Real series of workshops is geared to those seeking real-world insight about anything to do with cops, crime, justice (or lack of) in effort to bolster the authority of its depiction in their work. The following sessions are slated for San Diego 30:
“The Anatomy of Violence”
Leader: David Putnam
Objective: What motivates criminals? What’s involved in complicated officer-involved shootings or hand-to-hand confrontations? Drawing on his 30+ years in law enforcement, working crime scenes, narcotics, robbery, hostage crisis, Internal Affairs, patrol and as a SWAT team sniper, David has long confronted and studied criminal behavior first-hand. This workshop will explore the fundamental underpinnings at work behind both sides of the badge.
David Putnam’s debut thriller, The Disposables (Oceanview Publishing), was hailed by Publishers Weekly as, “a fast-paced tale of idealism and corruption.” Michael Connely proclaimed, “It’s raw, powerful and eloquent … a gritty street poem recited by a voice unalterably committed to redemption and doing the right thing in a wrong world.” It’s sequel, The Replacements, continues the saga of ex-cop/ex-con Bruno Johnson’s violent life, with Booklist declaring, “The narrative charges ahead full tilt, like a bullet train.” And Midwest Book Review concluding, “[A] fantastic cat and mouse thriller.” A veteran of law enforcement, David worked in narcotics, violent crime as part of an FBI-sponsored team, robbery, criminal intelligence, and Internal Affairs. He did three tours as a county sheriff, a stint as a SWAT team sniper, was a special agent for the Attorney General of Hawaii, has investigated white-collar crime, has rescued hostages, and has been a supervisor of corrections, patrol, and a detective bureau, receiving numerous awards and commendations along the way.
“Law Enforcement Immersion”
Leader: Richard Craig Anderson
Objective: In this session you are put behind the wheel of a speeding police cruiser. But why are you behind that wheel, why are you speeding, and where will you end up? To discover the answers, you must first learn why cops think along unique dimensions that only make sense to someone who has been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt. Armed with this insight, a writer can then develop cop characters with a sense of authenticity that eludes those who fool themselves into thinking they can gain an insider’s perspective from a friend of a friend, whose cousin’s brother knows this guy who once knew a cop.
Richard Craig Anderson is an award-winning freelance writer and the author of Light… Precious Light, his 1992 debut novel which became a regional bestseller, and Rivers of Belief. Having started out as a fire fighter and paramedic, he went on to become a highly decorated cop, and, ultimately, a Federal counter-terrorist operative. After retiring in 2009, Rick wrote his third novel, Cobra Clearance, about an elite special ops group out to stop a presidential assassination. The book was featured at ThrillerFest 2013, and nominated for best new thriller of the year. He’s currently working on his next book.
“Proactive Investigations, Informants & Undercover”
Leader: Michael R. Shevock
Objective: Explore the fundamentals of recruiting and managing informants and touch on the basics of undercover operations. One of the most interesting aspects of complex investigations is the personal dynamic between confidential informants and their handlers – it is also inexplicably ignored by most crime writers.
Michael R. Shevock is a retired federal agent with twenty-eight years behind the badge. He’s worked for Coast Guard Intelligence, NIS (the predecessor of NCIS), US Customs and Homeland Security ICE. During his career he has successfully investigated various crimes including narcotics, child pornography, weapons smuggling, sanction violations, burglary, assault, rape, forgery, fraud, money laundering and espionage. He has worked undercover on four continents and two Pacific islands. He was a firearms instructor and has both conducted and taught homicide crime scenes.
“Trigger Points and Response”
Leader: Wes Albers
Objective: What happens when previously separate orbits realign to cross paths? This workshop will explore the dynamic world of action and consequence. It will discuss the potential consequences of decisions made during the dangerous moments surrounding a crisis.
Wes Albers is Director of the Southern California Writers’ Conference. For more than a decade he has helped to facilitate over $4 million worth of first time book and movie deals for emerging authors through the SCWC and his personal contacts. His own writing draws from over twenty years in the San Diego Police Department, first as a patrolman, then sergeant. He now serves as Detective Sergeant in charge of Border Investigations, as well as Staff Sergeant supervising the Emergency Negotiations Team, a hybrid team of hostage negotiators from the SDPD, the FBI, and NCIS. Of his debut novel, Black and White (ZOVA Books), New York Times bestselling author Gayle Lynds (The Book of Spies) hails, “Gritty and rewarding… A top-notch cop novel. Watch out, Joseph Wambaugh!”