HomeI get email. People ask questions. Here are some of the answers.
Will there be a sequel to KISS HER GOODBYE?
It’s true that Kiss Her Goodbye is just begging for a sequel. I’ve gotten a number of emails asking me to write one, and while I have no plans in the immediate future to do so, I haven’t completely ruled it out. There’s a scenario that keeps running through my head that may have to be written one day, but it won’t happen anytime soon.
Are you planning to write a series?
My first four books are standalones, so if you’re looking for a series, I’m afraid you’re out of luck. But those who do like continuing characters — and I’m with you, there. I like ‘em too — you’ll be happy to know that I’m developing a series idea that I plan to pitch to my publisher in the very near future. So it may well happen. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy the standalones.
Why do you have bad language in your books?
People aren’t always polite and not all of my bad guys are pretty. They have dark thoughts, they do terrible stuff. Even though I’m writing fiction, I want my books to reflect reality as much as possible. If you’re uncomfortable with strong language, suspenseful situations, sexual encounters or acts of violence, you’d best shop elsewhere. But PLEASE KNOW that I’m a strong believer that such things should NEVER BE GRATUITOUS. If they don’t fit the storyline, they don’t go into the book.
Where do you get your ideas?
FYI, this is probably the most asked question of writers, and the answer varies from writer to writer. I get ideas from watching news shows, reading books, newspapers, browsing the Internet, etc. Most of the ideas pop into my head as fragments that eventually work themselves into something whole. Once they take enough form to get me excited, then I start seriously thinking about writing a book.
Will you read my manuscript?
Truth is, I barely have time to work on my own manuscripts, let alone read anyone else’s. And my lawyer would surely tell me not to read work by people I don’t know, for fear of lawsuits. I can’t count the number of times I’ve independently come up with a premise that was eerily similar to another writer’s. This happens all the time. Those of us who have been around for awhile are used to it. But aspiring writers tend to be very protective of their ideas, so it’s best that I not read your work so that there’s no confusion about where my OWN ideas came from.
But if you won’t read my book, who will?
My advice to any aspiring novelist is to start going to writing conferences where you can a) meet a ton of writers, some of whom might read your book once they’ve gotten to know you; b) meet a ton of agents, who are often looking for new clients; c) meet a lot of aspiring writers like yourself, who may help you out once they find their own agent or publishing deal; and d) meet the editors and publishers themselves. In other words, it’s all about networking. This business, like any other, runs on relationships. And the more you hang around writers and editors and agents, the better chances you’ll have of getting your book read. I’ve seen it happen over and over again.
Do you outline your stories?
Nope. Once I come up with a premise and a few characters, I start writing. When you’re on pages 25, you know as much about what’s going to happen as I did when I was writing it. I figure if I can surprise myself, then you’ll be surprised, too. I’m basically reading to myself.