Lynn Slaughter Novelist
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As a novelist who’s managed to write exactly one short story, I’m in awe of writers who manage to be adept at writing both long and short fiction. Debra H. Goldstein is a master at both, and I’m delighted to welcome her back to my blog today:

First off, congratulations on your collection of short stories that’s out this month from White City Press. You’ve written so many wonderful stories, Debra. How did you decide which ones should go in this collection? Are they connected in any way?

Thank you, Lynn. I’m very excited about White City Press’s publication of With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying: Tales of Sinning and Redemption. Although the stories are all crime fiction, ranging from cozy to hard-boiled, there is no direct connection between any of them. What they do share is the concept of sinning and redemption that we see in our own friends and family members.

At this time, I’ve had more than forty short stories published – and at least eight more already purchased for publication in 2025 and 2026, but I only chose to include eighteen that either won awards or were finalists for Agatha, Anthony, or Derringers.

You write both award-winning novels and short stories. How does your approach and process differ depending on whether you’re writing a full-length novel or short stories?

I hear my stories and my novels. By that I mean that I begin long and short writing by hearing a first line in my head. Once I have that, the twists and turns evolve until I reach the ending point. The biggest differences are how much the word count permits me to ramble and whether the size of a short story limits the number of characters and plot twists that can be included.           

You are the master of great first lines. Can you share with our readers a few of your favorites?

From Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie Martin and the Mah Jongg Players Mystery: “The first time I thought of killing him, the two of us were having chicken sandwiches at that fast-food place with the oversized rubber bird anchored to its roof.” 

From IPPY winning Maze in Blue: ” The voice that woke Denny Silber had a quality of hysteria in it.” 

From One Taste Too Many (the first book in Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series): “Bill’s dead, and, uh, I’m afraid the police think I killed him.”                                         

From “This is Where I Buried My Wives,” With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying: “This is where I buried my wives,” Biff said.

From “A Corn Puddin’ Wedding,” With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying: “As soon as you finish the marrying part, we’re gonna have cake.”

From “Thanksgiving in Moderation,” With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying: “Thanksgiving always has been a good time for weddings—especially second and third or in this case, the fifth time around.”

Your Sarah Blair Mystery series has now ended. Any thoughts on whether you’d like to do another series?

Although I think it would be fun to write another series, right now, I’ve been concentrating on short stories and a crime fiction standalone.

And now the question we get asked most often from readers: Where do you get your ideas for your stories?

I’d like to say that I pull them out of the air, but that is only true part of the time. Usually, something I see, an article I read, or something I overheard sparks the first line and then the story follows.

You left a lifetime appointment as a judge to pursue your passion for writing mysteries. How long did it take you to make that decision, and was there ever a time when you thought, “Good God, what have I done?”

Because I feel that following my passion is like living a second childhood (even when my writing career doesn’t always go the way I planned), I’ve never looked back at leaving the bench. I didn’t make the decision lightly. My first book, Maze in Blue, was published while I was a judge. At that time, I tried to keep the careers separate, but during the next two years, seeing lawyers in my signing lines and an incident in the courtroom where an attorney’s client blurted out, “Your Honor, no matter how you rule, I’m going to buy your book!” convinced me that I needed to decide between my lifetime appointment and following my passion.  I left the bench just before my second book was published. Oh, and I doubt the lawyer’s client bought my book — I ruled against him.

Any advice for folks thinking about making a career transition to full time writing?

Remember that writing is a business. It will have highs and lows and that you’ll probably need another source of income as most writers do not make a fortune. That said, if you decide to follow your passion, take classes, read books, and talk to other writers to learn both craft and business aspects of writing. Invest in yourself – if you don’t, others won’t.

You lost your husband this past year. In addition to the support of close family and friends, have you found that your writing community and continuing to write have helped in coping with your grief?

Joel died three months ago, so I’m still processing his loss, but the writing community embraced me. I was overwhelmed by the warm messages, phone calls, offers of assistance, and gifts from other authors. One thing that was very helpful, which was sent by Kaye George, is her book, Handbook for the Widowed: Help for before and after the loss of a partner.

Initially, I couldn’t write. My time was taken up with paperwork, thank you notes, and making sure our children were okay. After about six weeks, because I had some story deadlines that I felt obligated to honor, I began to write again. At first, it was difficult, but then the joy I get from writing came back. Since then, I have found writing to be one of my greatest sources of comfort.

What’s next for you writing-wise?

Besides launching the collection of short stories, With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying, I’ m working on four short stories (two by invitation and two spec) and a standalone novel. In addition, eight short stories and two podcast story readings are already scheduled for release in 2025 and 2026.

Anything else you’d like to add, or wish I’d asked that I didn’t?

Only my thanks for having me as your guest today and that With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying is available from White City Press (https://whitecitypress.com/product/fire/MM/8) or wherever you find quality e-books and paperbacks. Presently, it is discounted on the publisher’s website and shipping is free (but you need to mark that box). 

Thanks so much for visiting today, Debra! 

Judge Debra H. Goldstein is the author of With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying, a collection of her short stories, as well as Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series, and two standalone novels: IPPY award winning Maze in Blue and Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie Martin and the Mah Jongg Players Mystery. Her short stories, which have been named Agatha, Anthony, and Derringer finalists, have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies including Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, Malice Domestic Murder Most Edible, Masthead, Murder by the Glass, Jukes & Tonks, and Paranoia Blues: Songs Inspired by the Music of Paul Simon. Debra served on the national boards of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and was president of the Guppy and SEMWA chapters. Find out more about Debra at https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com. 

With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying is available from White City Press (https://whitecitypress.com/product/fire/MM/8) or wherever you find quality e-books and paperbacks. Presently, it is discounted on the publisher’s website and shipping is free (but you need to mark that box).
https://whitecitypress.com/author/debrahgoldstein/MM/8