Review of Netflix Series Making a Murderer

I’m going to attempt a mostly spoiler free review with a few minor plot points sprinkled in to make it cleared. From an author’s perspective, the 10 ep documentary offers insight into the behind the scenes workings of court reporters, lawyers, and law enforcement. In particular, it demonstrates interrogation/police procedures techniques, the good and the ugly. The interrogation of a sixteen year old boy with a 70 IQ who doesn’t know the meaning of the word “inconsistent” is especially disturbing. His mother didn’t know the meaning of the word either. I felt so sorry for the poor kid. From a writer’s perspective, I’d recommend watching it if you have an interest in writing crime fiction.  I learned a lot. However, I’m going to issue a ‘possible trigger warning’ because it deals with two disturbing cases of violence against women.

Netflix Description: Filmed over 10 years, this real-life thrilled follows a DNA exoneree  [Steven Avery] who, while exposing police corruption, becomes a suspect in a grisly new crime.

I found myself going through a lot of emotions as I watched the series, because I didn’t like the central focus of the doc, Steven Avery. He is a shitty human being. I was proud that the film makers didn’t shy away from that fact. I felt really sorry for his parents, who seemed like good people. But even though Steven is an asshole that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have rights. Innocent until proven guilty. Period. 

I’ve seen a lot of justifiable anger posts online about the cases. I’m more upset about his nephew, but I can understand the ire. Overall, I like the style and format of the documentary. It was gripping to watch. I felt like the victim’s family got a little shafted, because we only had press conferences from the brother. They were stiff and formal, which can never properly demonstrate their grief. I can't imagine how they were feeling.

Has anyone seen the series? Do you think the jury made the right decision?

Desk Talk with C.S. Poe

The very lovely C.S. Poe, author of Love Has No Expiration, interviewed me on her blog about my writing space in her new feature Desk Talk. Check it out if you're interested in my Diet Coke and PlayDoh obsession, approach to writing, and future projects. You can find the interview here.

Blog Party For My New Release Finding Matt

Today is the release party for my new paranormal romance Finding Matt, which was released 12/5/14. I am posting five blogs to the Dreamspinner Blog, giving away prizes, talking about the making of the book, and sharing excerpts. I hope you'll join me.

#1: Welcome to JD Ruskin’s Blog Party for Finding Matt

#2: JD Ruskin’s Finding Matt Blog Party: Do You Believe In Psychics?

#3: JD Ruskin’s Finding Matt Blog Party: Somewhere, Illinois

#4: JD Ruskin’s Finding Matt Blog Party: Ripped From the Headlines

#5: JD Ruskin’s Finding Matt Blog Party: Thanks!

Inspiration for my novel When One Door Opens (Caleb)

The original inspiration for my novel When One Door Opens came from a real life news article. The article was about a woman who died in a fire in Chicago because she refused to leave the building. The woman was an agoraphobic. I remember being so shocked and saddened by this article. Imagine a fear so great that it can override your instinct for self-preservation. I'd never considered agoraphobia could be life threatening. The article also made me think about my own experiences.

 I have had two panic attacks in my life, both in my twenties. The first one was the most serious. I was driving to work during the very first week of my first job after college. I was late and managed to take a wrong turn. My heart started to race and my hands to shake. It got so bad that I had to pull over, nearly ending up in a ditch. I thought I was having a heart attack. I thought I was dying. My cell phone was in my purse in the backseat, but there was no way I was going to reach it. I felt frozen. Fear doesn't give a crap about logic and reason. I was fear's bitch until she decided to let me go twenty minutes later.

 I told no one about the panic attack. Not coworkers. Not friends. Not family. It was my dirty little secret until I started writing When One Door Opens. I've been really lucky not to suffer from panic attacks since then. I really appreciated the people who reached out to me when the book was published to tell me I'd captured their experiences with panic attacks accurately. I spent a lot of time reading firsthand accounts, realizing I'd shared a lot of the same symptoms and stressors. In When One Door Opens, Caleb has a severe form of agoraphobia, like the woman in Chicago, which leaves him a prisoner in his own apartment. Most agoraphobics can leave home with difficulty, usually with a trusted loved one. Caleb hasn't left his apartment in three years. By the end of the novel, Caleb has made progress but he isn't cured. Because recovery isn't a straight line, with a start and an end. It's more like a rollercoaster. Love can't cure agoraphobia, but it sure in the hell helps to have someone to hold your hand when the rollercoaster plunges over the edge.

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