Lisa’s Comments (group member since Dec 30, 2014)

Lisa’s comments from the Ask Lisa Gardner and Tess Gerritsen group.

Rachel wrote: "Question for Lisa & Tess - I currently write romantic suspense for Harlequin Superromance line and want to move into the bigger single title market. Any tips or skills you think need developing in ..."

When I moved from writing romantic suspense as Alicia Scott to full suspense, I wrote the entire manuscript (The Perfect Husband) first. I also had to get over my fear of cold-calling the FBI, state police and maximum security prisons. But hey, once I did that, it worked out great!

Chrissy wrote: "This comment is for both authors. Your imagery is so vivid; after writing, is it difficult to decompress and go about your normal life? Lisa, I was never afraid of spiders before your books "

I feel like I work my way through my terrors by writing, then come home with a happier heart. :-) And one of the things I love about suspense novels is solving puzzles, and providing closure. So things terrify us, but we face our fears and are the better for it. Reading suspense, and writing suspense, is cathartic.

Elizabeth wrote: "Lisa, do you ride a motorcycle, if so, what type?"

No motorcycles. I'm more of a hiker.

Lisa wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Lisa: How do you come up with your plot twists? Do you plan them before you start writing or do the ideas just come to you during the writing process?"

If you like Tess and me, you..."

All right, now I'll try to answer plot twists. I get many of mine from interviewing experts. I'm also an out of the mist writer: things develop as I write. For Crash & Burn, I started with the premise of a woman who'd suffered a serious brain trauma, fixated on rescuing a girl who may or may not exist. Does Vero exist? I had to write the entire novel to find out.

Aly wrote: "As soon as either of you have books coming out, it's guaranteed that I will have pre-ordered them and will likely read them cover to cover as soon as I can get my hands on them.

Who are the author..."

Sorry, this is the first message I was trying to reply to. Read Karin Slaughter. You will love her.

Melissa wrote: "Lisa: How do you come up with your plot twists? Do you plan them before you start writing or do the ideas just come to you during the writing process?"

If you like Tess and me, you should definitely check out Karin Slaughter. William Trent is one of my favorite detectives!

While I'm waiting for Tess, I figured I'd work my way back through posted questions. Not sure I can hit all 71, but I'll do my best!

Hi! This is Lisa Gardner. Very excited to be here. I can't believe how many questions everyone has already posted. Hey, Tess? Are you ready to join the party?