Ask Me...Anything

Asked and Answered

"I just finished reading Breath of Scandal for the second time. This is a book I find extremely difficult to read, yet one I cannot put down. It literally keeps me up at night with everything I've read that day running over and over in my mind. I loved it, of course, as I do all your suspense novels, and have to ask: Was it any more difficult to write than your others?"

 *The subject matter of acquaintance rape disturbed me greatly – which is why I felt compelled to write about it.  After the book was published, I received many letters from victims of this crime.  They thanked me for bringing it into the public consciousness and treating it with such sensitivity.  I was told repeatedly, and gratifyingly, that reading the novel had been a cathartic experience.   

How do you get your story/s noticed?  

*On Wattpad? That was set up by my publisher. They worked with Wattpad HQ to promote Mirror Image.

 I have a lot of ideas but I don't know how to put thoughts to paper and I am nervous that the things that I write no one will like.  Can you give me some pointers?

*Nora Roberts once said, "You can't edit a blank page."  Another quote I recall (though I can't remember who said it) went something like this, "Writing isn't something you have to get perfect the first time like, say, brain surgery."

Learning to write is no different than learning to play the guitar, or drive a car, or use a computer--the more you do it, the better you become. I wish I could tell you it's something that just happens, but it isn't. It takes work, hard work, lots of work and dedication.

Let's be honest here. Coming up with ideas is easy—and fun. Sitting yourself down in a chair for eight hours a day and putting your fingers on that keyboard (and ignoring things like your cell phone and email) is tough. It takes … discipline and a lot of mental energy.

You will never know if you don't try.

What is your process for beginning a new book? 
*I start by plotting/making notes until I feel I have enough to begin writing that first draft.

Do you outline your story scene by scene before you write the first draft? Thank you! *No, but this does work for some writers.  I suppose I’m what they call a pantster. I have a very good idea of the direction my story will go--a roadmap, if you will--but all the little side trips I take during the writing of that story (the plot twists etc.), just happen and sometimes surprise even me. This is good because if I’m surprised, then the reader will also be surprised.   Some aspects of a book are vital and necessary (goals, motivation, & conflict), but there is no 100% definitive way to write a book. How I write isn't how Nora Roberts writes or how Karin Slaughter writes or how Kathy Reichs writes. The actual process of writing is . . . whatever works for you.   A couple of books you all might find useful: Debra Dixon's Goals, Motivation, and Conflict and The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler. You can Google both for more information.  

Do you have technique/s in writing stories? And can you give us your tips in writing? *Sit down and write because that story won't write itself.

A couple of tips: each chapter and/or scene should push your plot forward. Your characters need goals, they need something to make them want to achieve their goals and they need something in the way of them achieving their goals.

Here's a simple example for you: In Mirror Image, Avery's goal was to figure out who the murderer was and save Tate's life. The murderer stood in her way, as did Carole Rutledge's own past bad behavior.

Given your experience as a writer, what advice would you offer any aspiring authors out there in terms of how to break into the industry?

* What genre are you writing in and are you looking at ePublishing or traditional publishing? Regardless, do your homework when choosing a publisher or agent to submit to and never sign on with a publisher who wants to charge you money.  Study your craft, take classes, try attending conferences if you think that might be your thing, and consider entering writing contests to get objective feedback on your work.

Don't get too hung up on 'building an online presence' or social media. Yes, it's good to have a presence, at some point, but at the end of the day, none of that matters if you're not spending time producing new pages (and honing your skills).

Honestly, this is a tough question given how much the industry has changed in thirty years. As simple as this sounds, I will say this: write the best book possible. Write a book you'd be proud to put your name on. Edit it, learn to write a query letter, learn to write a synopsis, then submit it and start on the next book while you wait. Be prepared for rejection. It happens, it's a part of the business and it's not personal.

I actually want to join a contest in school. Short Story Writing. And I just want to know how will I introduce my story. :)

*I'll say again, you can't edit a blank page. I know . . . this sounds very simplistic, but it's true. Just start writing, see where the story takes you. Also short stories are not my forte, but decide what the main focus of your story is and go from there.  

What is the best single thing a writer can do to promote a first time novel published through a small press?I hate to repeat myself but again, I vote for writing the best book possible. Otherwise, as much as it pains me to say this, I don't think there's one single thing that you can do--above all others.

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