Ask Lisa Gardner and Tess Gerritsen discussion
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Love both authors! This question is for Tess... You write the series with Rizzoli & Isles and the stand alone medical suspense books, how do you decide which type of book to write and when? Take turns? And is it a break for you to put Rizzoli & Isles aside and work on the medical suspence? Thank you!
Hi, This is for Tess. I love the TV show and that is what got me interested in your books. Usually it is the other way around, book first TV/Movie second. Anyway, how does it feel to see your characters come to life on TV? Do you have input into the show and how the characters relate to each other?
I have been a fan of Tess Gerritsen since I won an advanced copy of Gravity in 1999 ( which I am re reading right now) I absolutely love her books and pick them up in hard back as soon as they come out. I was lucky enough to get a signed copy of Die Again. The story is fabulously told between Boston and Botswana, I ate it up. My question is this: I understand the advertising dollar, but I was dismayed to see advertising of the tv show on the cover of the hard back. I get it on paper back books, Tess, do you get a say in this? Do you understand why it's bothersome? Your books are book shelf worthy to me but this cover really bothered me. It didn't stop me from buying your book but still. Keep the hard back books classy and Ad free please!
Hi Tess. I read all your books in the R&I series. There was a long lapse between Die Again and the book before that. Will you be coming out with one book a year now as I couldn't wait for the next book in the series?
Lisa and Tess: If there was one book you haven't written yet, but want to, what would it be? Also, what are your favorite books to read?
This comment and question is for both Lisa & Tess. First - I love all of the books from both of you. My question is a common one (from different areas) Will we ever see you in Alabama?
Hi Lisa, Here are some questions that keep running through my mind:
I wanted to know if you get inspired by real events to write your novels?
Who is your favorite writer?
Do you read other literary genres?
Finally, do you have a favorite book among those you have written? If so, what makes it your favorite?
D.D.Warren is my favorite fictional characters. ^-^
Thank you.
My favorite two authors in one discussion?! Awesome!! My favorite thing that both Tess and Lisa do is "grow" their characters! I love opening the latest book from a series and reading how characters grow! With that being said, Tess, will we hear more from Julian and the Memphsito Club? What about Father Brothy? I HAVE to know how things are going for him! Did the path he choose end up being the right one? We heard about Julian vaguely in Die Again, and Brothy vaguely too...I am dying to know more.
Lisa, how is Kimberly's daughter progressing?! Is she anything like Kimberly? Or Raine?! Oh man, that will be interesting. Its been a long time since we have heard from Pierce Quincy, I really do hope to read more of those. I loved him so much, I named my German Shepard after him (since they are supposed to be police dogs, silly, but I love it) I absolutely love DD Warren and am very interested to see what happens in February!! I also hope to hear more about Tessa! (Did you name her after Tess Gerritsen? :))
Any way, I loved all of your books, Tess! I have read every Rizzoli & Isles books, as well as your standalone medical thrillers. My absolute favorite would have to be Memphsito Club, with The Bone Garden coming in second.
Lisa, I read every DD Warren book, every book in the Pierce Quincy Series, and all of your stand alone books. My favorites were The Killing Hour and The Third Victim.
I look forward to more reads from both of you! I know all good things must come to an end, and that although I would love to read about Jane and Maura and Quincy or Kimberly until I am old and grey, that they too will be old and grey and wont fight crimes forever. Keep brining them on, ladies!!
This question is for Dr. Gerritsen:I don't want Rizzoli and Isles to end yet but I have to prepare myself for the inevitable: Do you already have a plan or idea on when and how you'll end the Rizzoli and Isles series?
Also.. Will you ever come to my country (Philippines) for a signing? I will convulse with joy if that happens. *crossing my fingers
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
Lisa, I loved the book "Faceoff" and your contribution to it. Any chance that you and Tess can do something like this in perhaps an upcoming "Faceoff II"?
Tess, I´am so excited that you may reading it. I´am a big fan of you and your books. You write beautifally and in every page was suspence. I especially love Rizzoli and Isles series. I can´t wait to read Die Again it´s for sure will be amazing.
I´d like to ask how you create characters of Maura and Jane, did you imagine them on your own or you had inspiration from your life ?
Hello ladies!My question is for Lisa and Tess.
I was scrolling through the comments and was surprised that I didn't see anyone mention covers. I love covers and will pick up a book just because of one that jumps out at me. I love you both and your covers do your books justice. How much input do you have? Can you say no if you truly hate one?
Sherry wrote: "Hello ladies!My question is for Lisa and Tess.
I was scrolling through the comments and was surprised that I didn't see anyone mention covers. I love covers and will pick up a book just because ..."
Sherry, I mentioned Tess's cover for Die Again, it had advertising on it for the tv show. I don't mind that on a paperback but it bothered me on this hardback. I too asked if they have any control over covers. I buy both authors because of who they are but other books sometimes grab me by the covers too!
Becky
Tess: Do you relate more to Rizzoli or Isles?
Lisa, do you ride a motorcycle, if so, what type?
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?
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 authors you guys feel this way about?
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If you like Tess and me, you should definitely check out Karin Slaughter. William Trent is one of my favorite detectives!
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Who are the author..."
Sorry, this is the first message I was trying to reply to. Read Karin Slaughter. You will love her.
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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.
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No motorcycles. I'm more of a hiker.
Thomas wrote: "For Dr.Gerritsen;Do you ever consider going back to the practice of medicine?
Are the medical details in the books accurate, or do you take literary license?"
I try to be as accurate with the medical details as I can be. As a doctor, I hate it when I see a detail in a novel that's wrong -- it takes me right out of the story.
As for returning to medical practice, it's been far too long since I left it -- 25 years! I'd be dangerous practicing medicine now!
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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.
Diane wrote: "If approached would either of you accept a request to be on "Dancing With the Stars"? ;) I think they absolutely need to have some authors representing! I've heard that Heather Graham can dance. Ho..."I would totally do it! Not that you'd necessarily want to see me dance...
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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!
Susan wrote: "I have enjoyed both Lisa and Tess books. This is for both authors: Do you have an idea of how a story is going to go when you start writing or have you ever started with an ending of a story and ..."I've tried again and again to outline a story ahead of time, but I always end up veering off course, so I don't even bother nowadays. I start with an initial premise or crisis situation and see what happens. I always feel that if I'm surprised, my readers will be surprised as well!
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My question is for Lisa and Tess.
I was scrolling through the comments and was surprised that I didn't see anyone mention covers. I love covers and will pick up a book just because ..."
The nice part of being NYT bestselling authors is that yes, if we truly hate a cover, we can say so. But Tess and I both work with great publishers, not to mention we share a brilliant agent, who all want to make the best book possible. So really, it's all very collaborative. And you're correct, covers are very important. I love Die Again, and I'm very excited for Crash & Burn with its fiery backdrop.
Christine wrote: "Lisa,I love your books. I was wondering if we are ever going to see more of Pierce Quincy and Rainie and also Kimberly Quincy? I really enjoyed reading about them. Also do you have any stand ..."
Christine, I am now writing an out-of-series book called PLAYING WITH FIRE which is a little bit medical. It's about a woman violinist who finds an old music manuscript in Rome. Every time she plays this gorgeous waltz, her 3-year-old daughter goes berserk and does something awful. Medical doctors try to find out if there's something neurologically wrong with the child, while the mother searches for the history of the music, which she believes is haunted.
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First we'd have to be asked. But it would be fun to have all our Boston detectives running around. Then again, juggling three alpha women (Detective D.D. Warren, Rizzoli & Isles)... Whoa!
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I vote for Tess. I am not a dancer!
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I love your books. I was wondering if we are ever going to see more of Pierce Quincy and Rainie and also Kimberly Quincy? I really enjoyed reading about them. Also do y..."
I can't wait to read this! While I love Rizzoli & Isles, my favorite Tess Gerritsen novel remains The Bone Garden.
Sandra "Jeanz" wrote: "I'd like to ask a couple of questions please?1, I'd like to ask Tess, Do you watch the Rizzoli and Isles Tv Show?
(I love the show and think the casting of the actresses who play Jane & Maura was..."
Yes, I do watch the show - I love seeing what TV-Jane and TV-Maura are up to. The casting has of course changed the physical appearance of the characters from what I had envisioned. They're certainly a lot more gorgeous than in the books! But that is the nature of television.
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You named your dog after Quincy? I love that, being a dog person and all. And yes, Quincy would definitely be a German Shepherd. You got that right!
I never say never to see the profilers again, as characters do tend to repeat in my world. I need the right idea though, something truly worthy of the Quincy clan. Maybe something with Kimberly's daughter. You've given me much to consider! After Crash & Burn this year, Detective D.D. Warren returns next year. Hope you enjoy!
Renee-Terese wrote: "Hi Tess, Both you're Rizzoli and Isles books and the TV Show based upon them are amazing and I have really enjoyed reading them and watching them. I was sorry to see Frost die in the last series. M..."I don't have any involvement in the TV show, as they have their own set of writers. They are certainly different, but they're also somewhat parallel universes -- the same characters, but with slightly different relationships. In the books, Jane and Maura slowly become friends. On TV, they start off as friends right off the bat. They also add quite a bit more humor, which is great! The only thing I wish they'd managed to keep on the show is the backstory of Maura's birth mother. In the books she's an evil, scary woman in prison -- that keeps Maura wondering about her own bloodline, and it gives her a darkness that really fascinates me.
Patti wrote: "Greetings - this question is to both of you: who plans your book tours? Do you always go to big cities such as Chicago, New York?. Us fateful fans would love it if you could make a stop in Des Moi..."Like Lisa, my book tours are planned by my publisher. They often don't send us to big cities at all -- for instance, I've never done a bookstore signing in NYC. The best turnouts seem to be in suburbs, where I'll get far more readers than I ever would in a place like Chicago. Des Moines sounds like the perfect place for a book tour stop, in fact!
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Here are some questions that keep running through my mind:
I wanted to know if you get inspired by real events to write your novels?
Who is your favorite writer?
Do you read other lite..."
Most of my books have been inspired by real life. Crash & Burn started by reading about post-concussive syndrome in football players. It got me thinking what it would be like to not be able to trust your own mind? In some cases, repetitive head traumas can also lead to violence, meaning what if you took a nice, ordinary woman and now suddenly she's hitting her husband, who's name she doesn't always remember, while talking about a little girl, the husband swears doesn't exist. She is injured. Her brain is definitely damaged. But is she wrong??? And then I started to write Crash & Burn.
Ashley wrote: "Hi! You both write amazing books! I was wondering what your process is for researching information. Where do you begin? How long does it take you to compile all of your research into a reading nove..."On research: I love it! How much I do depends on what the book is about. For GRAVITY, I spent months on the research alone, traveling to both Houston and Florida to visit NASA facilities. For my crime novels, the research usually takes a few weeks. Certainly it helps when it's about medicine, as I have a lot of that information either in my head or on my bookshelves. The secret to effective research, from my point of view, is to seek out the bits of information that freaks me out or gives me an emotional reaction. If it's something disturbing, I will definitely put that in the book.
Barbara wrote: "A lot of people complain that mysteries are too formulaic. How do you keep your stories fresh--how do you keep them from merely following s formula?"The only formula I try to follow is: the bad guy faces justice in the end. Otherwise, anything goes, including setting, the investigation, and the subject matter. I'm wildly curious about a lot of things, so among the topics I've looked at are Egyptology, leopard behavior, Chinese folk tales, etc. Bringing fascinating topics into the story keeps it fun for me.
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I am writing the next D.D. Warren now. She's still injured, but back on the job in a supervisory position. D.D. Warren now in management. Be afraid. Be very, very afraid...
Mike wrote: "just wanted to say love both of you ladies! love the books, i just finished reading Die Again and have read all but the last book by Lisa...one question i do have is for Lisa, why have you got..."
I would love to do more stories like BONE GARDEN, but alas, it did not sell as well as my other books so that makes me hesitate. I do think I may be doing some short stories featuring Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes and Rose, working as a sort of Upstairs Downstairs pair of sleuths.
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Oh no. I never quote anything I haven't read. Though, to be honest, it's an honor to receive an early copy of one of Tess's books. I've been following her since Gravity, and she helped me with the launch of my first suspense, The Perfect Husband, so to get to read my favorite author before anyone else... Sometimes, this business is too good to be true. Then of course, there are the days you throw out everything you've just written...
Larissa wrote: "Hi Tess,I loved the latest Rizzoli & Isles! I was wondering, are we going to see the Mephisto club and the Evensong boarding school again?"
I would love to see the Evensong school again! I think Rat is going to become a pretty good investigator himself, along with his gang of misfit students.
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We get to know many of your characters as they return in multiple books. Have any of them surprised you with the direction they've gone in throughout the course of your writing..."
I never intended for any of my characters to repeat, so yes, I've been surprised many times. Kimberly became an FBI agent? Who knew? And D.D. found love, had a child, got married. Crazy! But that's the cool part of writing even for authors. I bet Tess would agree, our own books often take us for surprise. Which is fun! You don't become a writer to know everything that's gonna happen next.
Mike wrote: "Hi Tess, I love your books, have read all the Rizzoli and Isles books and most of your stand alone books too. I was wondering, due to the very sad passing of Lee Thompson Young, will you be removin..."I will not be killing Detective Frost in the books. I like that character too much. He is sort of the moral center of the stories, and he keeps Jane in line!
As for signed copies, if you check my book tour list in the UK, you'll see which stores I'm visiting. You could call them ahead of time and ask them to reserve a copy for you, and I can sign and personalize it when I visit. I'm sure they would mail the copy to you. I certainly hope that's do-able!
Sue wrote: "I am a huge fan of both of you, I patiently wait for both of you to publish, so very excited two new books to fill a couple of days of reading. My question is who do you read? Who are your favour..."Among my favorite writers is ... Lisa Gardner! Seriously, she writes unputdownable books. I also love Lisa Unger and Lisa Scottoline, so I must be on sort of Lisa kick!
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Like Tess, I love research! Right now, I'm working with the FBI to learn about victim specialists, a position I was previously unfamiliar with. I think anytime you can shed light on a new position or aspect of law enforcement, it's fascinating. Some of my favorite research was for Catch Me, involving 911 dispatch operators. Oh, the calls they get! Truth is definitely stranger than fiction!
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