Ask Lisa Gardner and Tess Gerritsen discussion
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The only formula I try to foll..."
I'm with Tess: I don't have any set guidelines other than some sense of resolution. I think research is the key to unearthing fresh ideas and perspectives. I also like to start with characters who could go either way: they all have good and bad treats. Some will rise to the occasion, others will devolve. But who is who, I don't even know until the bitter end. I think it keeps the book interesting.
Oralee wrote: "I just want to say Thank you for developing such great characters and such great storylines. I've been reading both of you for years now and really enjoy your books. Even the TV series Rizzoli and ..."My advice? Listen for "the voice" of your main character. I can't start writing until I hear what my character sounds like. Is she a fast talker, a slow talker, a soft talker? Is she sarcastic or humble? That character will tell the story, and she will lead you into the plot.
Also, don't worry about getting it right from the first draft. My first drafts are horrible. I've learned to write on, without revising, all the way to the end. Only then do I really know what my story is about.
Sandi wrote: "Do you get any of your ideas from current events?"All the time! I read several newspapers a day and am always searching news websites. I once read an article about a woman in Boston who was declared dead -- and later woke up in a body bag. That became the start of my book VANISH, and the idea was taken straight from the newspaper.
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I like puzzles. In my family, we're always playing games, plotting strategy. And my grandmother fed us a constant diet of Erle Stanley Gardner (Perry Mason books), so I figure I was doomed to be a suspense novelist. I love it, though. The research opportunities, talking to agents, visiting places like the Body Farm. What's not to love?
Samantha wrote: "It seems that both of you have tried and true characters that you evolve through your books. Do you ever wish that you could go back and change the path of one or more of your charters? If so wou..."My characters are like real people -- you wish they had made wiser choices in life, but there's no going back and fixing things. And it's the bad choices that define who you are in the future. Bad choices make great fiction! (Yes, Maura has made some very bad romantic choices, but they certainly did add drama to her life, and to the stories.)
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Now I'm blushing. And if you like romance with your suspense, you can add Lisa Jackson to that list. So now that I think about it, my entire career is really due to being a Lisa.
Arlene wrote: "Tess, I just wanted to say that I have really enjoyed all your R&I mystery novels! They have kept me up during multiple nights, please continue writing. But I do have a question, since I'm pretty..."
During the first season, the showrunner (Janet Tamaro) would sometimes check with me about a few details. e.g., what is Jane's middle name? But the show pretty much runs with its own set of writers, so they don't really need to consult me.
Cindy wrote: "Hi ladies!! As you can tell by my pic, I've met both of you AT THE SAME TIME!! Best day (besides the birth of my son) EVER!! I love both of you ladies and am always excited for any new books yo..."
As the daughter of a chef, I learned to love ALL cuisines. But I have to say I adore Japanese and Thai food. On the other hand, when I'm in Italy, I'm in heaven as well.
Mary wrote: "Tess I just wanted to express my appreciation for your fantastic series. I loved the safari idea and the seamless jumping between Boston and Africa!"Thank you! I loved writing DIE AGAIN because it was so much fun writing about the African bush. I hope it doesn't discourage anyone from going on safari. I made it scary in the book, but it really is an amazing experience.
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I started reading you on a regular basis after The Perfect Husband - wonderful by far! Do you think up the villain first, then plot the storyline? Or does the storyline rev..."
Ah thank you! Jim Beckett remains my favorite villain. I read a lot of criminology. Probably too much. One of the reasons I write suspense is that like many of us, I want to better understand the nature of evil. How can that seemingly normal guy next door really have six bodies in his basement? The more I read, the more I have to write, because it turns out the answer to that question--what is the nature of evil--has more than one answer. In Crash & Burn, I'm basically exploring if head trauma can lead to evil, as it definitely does cause changes in behavior. And at least one serial killer blamed his crime spree on a brain tumor, which he did have.
Lynne wrote: "For Tess, how do you feel about the TV series Rizzoi and Isles? Are you happy with actresses portraying your characters? I can't help but picture the actresses and characters reversed! I love the s..."When stories move from books to TV, there are always going to be differences. To begin with, you don't usually see average-looking people starring in TV series, so Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander are far more beautiful than I ever pictured Jane and Maura. The casting had a lot to do with onscreen chemistry -- that was more important than whether the stars physically matched my characters. While I still see Jane and Maura in the way I created them, there's no doubt that the TV audience has grown to love them as played on TV.
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I read your book Love You More 2 days back and I loved it, it was awesome. It was one of the very best crime thrillers I read in recent times, I became an instant fan. So my question is..."
Ah the Tessa vs. D.D. debate. I don't have an answer. I love them both, which is why they both keep reappearing. And I would guess you have more of both of them in your future. At least I hope so!
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Make goals for yourself. Small ones at first: write a paragraph, write a page, write three pages. And reward yourself. You did good work. Also, no starting new projects, no matter how tempting, till you finished the old. You must have an ending to have a novel.
Then believe. You must send the book out in the world. We all had to and we were all nervous. Good luck!
Gbolahan wrote: "Hi. This question is for Gerritsen.How far do you think an author should go in telling readers about rape in a story? Do you think the author has to be completely descriptive (eg, thrusts, sexual ..."
I don't recall that the rape itself ever appears in THE SURGEON. What I wrote was about the aftermath: the medical examiner examining the body of a deceased victim. And you see the psychological trauma of the survivor. The rape of the main character (Catherine) happens years before the story even starts, and although she recalls it under hypnosis when the police try to help her remember details, you never see her raped during the story.
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I have taken a few classes in crime scene management, that sort of thing. What I really recommend is visiting the Writers Police Academy every September, where all the experts are in one places given classes on everything from blood spatter analysis to mass murderers 101. Great stuff! Mostly, I call, beg, plead for an interview, than hang onto every word. There are people out there with amazing jobs, and I'm grateful for them! I just type for a living.
Nina wrote: "Hi Tess, I'm a big fan of you and your books, I've devoured your Rizzoli and Isles books in a very short time! I wanted to ask you: which book did you like to write the most? Is there are persona..."
My personal favorite of all my books is GRAVITY, because the sheer challenge of writing that story made it a scary project. The setting was incredibly dramatic (The International Space Station) and the crisis was global. It was fun to think like an astronaut for the year and a half it took me to write that book.
I have a Dutch last name because I'm married to a Dutchman from Dordrecht. While I can only speak a few words in Dutch, we celebrate Sinterklaas every year with a special party for all the local Dutch people!
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I have to write beginning to end, very linear, though not all suspense novelists do. From research, I'll have a vague idea of major plot points, what I'm heading toward. But most of the story develops as I go. And like Tess, once I reach the end and realize what it is I'm writing, I do extensive revision work to tighten and polish. Being a professional writer, I need to produce a book a year. So regardless of topic, etc., I know how long the book will take to write: twelve months!
Hi LisaGreat reading about your research, especially for my favourite book, Catch Me, loved the book.
I ask you and Tess, to you have your own favourite book of your own and of each other?
Mary wrote: "This question is for both of you...how did you know your writing was strong enough to try to publish it? Also, do you have a writing regimen because I am the queen of procrastination so I don't bel..."You really don't know if your writing's strong enough to be published until you get up the nerve to submit it. I had some great feedback by being part of a writing group when I was starting out -- three other people whose opinions I trusted. But eventually you just have to bite the bullet and submit the manuscript to an agent or editor.
Procrastination is a problem for most of us! I would fritter away loads of time in my garden, if I didn't have deadlines to meet. What helps is to just keep writing without worrying about editing -- keep the story moving forward, no matter how flawed it looks. Once you've got the first draft done, you'll know the overall shape of it and can start revising.
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Great reading about your research, especially for my favourite book, Catch Me, loved the book.
I ask you and Tess, to you have your own favourite book of your own and of each other?"
My favorite book of my own is Love You More, the first Tessa Leoni book. It's personal to me, as it depicts just how far a mother would go to save her child. My favorite Tess Gerritsen book is the Bone Garden, though Die Again is a close second as I love the whole backstory in Africa. I visited 2 years ago (Tess, I think we have the save publicist there!), and Tess captured everything in such vivid detail. Now I want to go again!
Tess wrote: "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 y..."
Thanks so much for answering. That is a book I'm definitely going to read.
Diane wrote: "Lisa, I noticed on Tess's book ad for "Die Again" they quote you as saying "Harrowing". On the TV show Castle they had a scene where he had rec'd a request for a review/comment and he threw out a w..."That is totally fiction. I read terrific thrillers all the time, and I base my quotes on the stories I've read.
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Nancy wrote: "I have heard that lawyers are frustrated writers at heart. Could the same be said for medical professionals?What prompted you to start writing?"
I don't know about frustrated. But I know lots of medical professionals who want to write, and who have great stories to tell.
Thanks for all the questions! So sorry I got in late -- got stuck in traffic and got to my computer 10 minutes late. It was great to hear from you all.
Thanks Lisa,interestingly I was born in Kenya in the 50's when it was a British colony.
Safari is the best holiday memory ever, I must read Die Again , thanks !
Hello, First of all I have to say I love both of you. I am currently listening to the Sinner audiobook.
My main question for both of you is, when you first started writing and went on to publish your first novels, did you ever have a moment of doubt or fear and how did you handle it if you did?
I am launching my novel next friday and am surprisingly petrified.
All the best,
M.J
Hi Lisa, I discovered your books some months ago and can't get enough of them. Will you ever have an opportunity for Australian fans to nominate a kill and maim? I'd love to feature in a book! :-)
Hi Dr. GerritsenI am a big fan of you. I am a doctor,too and ı want to meet you. When will you come Istanbul/ Turkey?
Hi. It looks like I'm late in this conversation, but I was wondering(If you awesome authors are still answering questions) is there ever a possibility for a Rizzoli & Isles and D.D Warren crossover? Boston has been my home for about a couple of decades or so and I love reading books set in Boston especially mysteries/thrillers. I see Boston as a big little city, so I like that all (or most of) the characters from my favroite books co-exsist within the same Boston. So is it likely that Dr. Isles could walk show up on the same crime scene where Sgt. Det. Warren is the lead investigator?Also I am an aspiring writer myself and I hope to have my stories published one day.
Tess wrote: "Gbolahan wrote: "Hi. This question is for Gerritsen.How far do you think an author should go in telling readers about rape in a story? Do you think the author has to be completely descriptive (eg,..."
I'll assume from your answer that you don't think authors should be descriptive about rape.
Thank you.
The book I was talking about was probably THE APPRENTICE and not THE SURGEON. In the book, one of the bad guys (the "teacher" or the "apprentice") was reminiscing about watching the other bad guy rape a woman. This reminiscing, if I remember correctly, was written in italics. I remember the thrusts and the buttocks clenching.
But, hey, thanx for answering my question. Much obliged.
Tess wrote: "Diane wrote: "Lisa, I noticed on Tess's book ad for "Die Again" they quote you as saying "Harrowing". On the TV show Castle they had a scene where he had rec'd a request for a review/comment and he..."Good to hear. Thanks.
Lisa wrote: "Diane wrote: "Lisa, I noticed on Tess's book ad for "Die Again" they quote you as saying "Harrowing". On the TV show Castle they had a scene where he had rec'd a request for a review/comment and he..."Thanks! Good to know.
Lisa wrote: "Tess wrote: "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 H..."lol, neither are many others that have danced. I hear it's a fabulous experience.
Tess wrote: "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..."Wonderful!!
I just want you to know Lisa! I love your books, I get excited to come home from work and grab my book.... I cant wait to see you Feb. 8, at the poisen pen!! yeaaaaa!!!!!
Ask Lisa Gardner and Tess Gerritsen
Books mentioned in this topic
The Perfect Husband (other topics)The Perfect Husband (other topics)
BODY DOUBLE was inspired by an experience in the autopsy room, where the ME was doing a postmortem on a young man who was my son's age. I was really upset by the thought that I might be viewing the body of someone I actually knew or -- heaven forbid -- someone I love. Then I thought: what if I were watching the autopsy of myself? That gave me a sudden, horrifying thought for the book BODY DOUBLE. When you see Maura watching the autopsy of a woman who turns out to be her twin, she feels the same horror that I imagined that day I was in the morgue.