Larry
asked
Chris Pavone:
Have enjoyed each of your books. You and many authors use a little filler regarding picking an imaginary piece of lint from a sleeve or piece of clothing. Is this an authors little inside joke? Thx
Chris Pavone
Thank you! No, it's not an inside joke. (At least not one that I'm in on!) I think all novelists interrupt dialogue by describing small private movements of characters--leaning back or forward, looking away or down, checking nails or picking lint, smiling or frowning or grimacing or sighing, crossing or uncrossing legs, etc.--for a variety of reasons: sometimes for tempo, to prevent the dialogue from seeming too choppy; sometimes to communicate something about the character; and sometimes merely as a way of ID'ing the speaking character without repeating "Richie said" over and over and over.
More Answered Questions
Gianina
asked
Chris Pavone:
Hello! I am a huge fan of your novels and wondered - for your writing process, creating the depth, mystery and complexity (which I personally am fascinated by) of story how you go about it? For example, do you know where you want to start and end and then play with how to get there? or is it more general as an idea? Does it start with one character? Etc?
Maggie Gust
asked
Chris Pavone:
Mine is a question about writing technique. Do you make a complete outline of your story before you start and stick to it, or do you let the characters meander through their story lines to the finale? I admire your writing style and so far my favorite of your books is "The Accident." Thanks!
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