Judgment Day | Sheldon Siegel | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Sheldon Segal, New York Times bestselling author, visits Google to talk about his latest book "Judgment Day" and shares insights about his writing process.

Transcript

well hi everyone thanks for coming today we're pleased to welcome new york times bestselling Sheldon Segal to visit us as part of the author's at Google program and he's here to speak about his latest book Judgment Day Sheldon is a graduate of the UC Berkeley's bolt school of law and he has been a practicing attorney in San Francisco for the last 2... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤪 Writing process: Segal writes for several hours each day, aiming for about five pages of double-spaced new material. He starts with a loose outline and edits as he goes along.
• 🍧 Character development: Segal believes in creating complex characters, with the good guys having flaws and the bad guys having redeeming qualities.
• 😫 Setting as a character: San Francisco plays a vital role in Segal's books, with its distinct ambiance and landmarks shaping the stories.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Segal come up with the idea for "Judgment Day"?

Segal got the idea for the book after reading a news article about the oldest man on death row dying of natural causes. He wondered what would have happened if his execution date coincided with his natural death.

Q: How does Segal balance his career as an attorney with his writing?

Segal used to write during his daily commute and in the evenings after his kids went to bed. Now that he no longer practices law full-time, he can dedicate more time to writing.

Q: Does Segal recommend reading his books in order, or can they be read as standalone novels?

While it is not necessary to read the books in order, reading them chronologically allows readers to see the evolution of the characters and their lives.

Q: How does Segal develop the sense of place in his novels, particularly with a city like San Francisco?

Segal aims to make San Francisco a character in his stories by placing the characters in locations that locals frequent. He also tries to capture the essence of a place in a few paragraphs, allowing readers to fill in the rest with their imagination.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sheldon Segal is a practicing attorney in San Francisco and has written six critically acclaimed courtroom dramas.

• His latest book, "Judgment Day," is about a death penalty case and follows the story of lawyer Mike Daly and his ex-wife Rosie Fernandez.

• Segal discusses his journey as a writer, his background, and the inspiration behind "Judgment Day."