The Suspense of It All! discussion

What have you always wanted to ask a writer about writing suspense?

How'd you get started? What was your motivation?

Me? Well I just have for a long as I can remember. I completed my first novel in the 8th grade. It reads like an 8-10th grader wrote it, but it was complete. My teachers all said I had a gift, and encouraged me to learn the craft. I was happy to learn, because I loved seeing my stories come to life.

As for my stories ... Something triggers a 'What if...?' question in my mind and I run with it. I puzzle out what any given character might do in a situation. How do they feel? Why would they do that? How would they handle it if it all goes wrong? Then I figure out what happens next.

For example, the first book I published came about because I was bored with my downtown office job, and while using the restroom, I wondered what would happen if someone kidnapped me as I walked out the door. So, poor Cassie, that is exactly what I put her through. Of course, it all worked out in the end.

My second release came from the question 'What if a cop's boss tries to kill her and she has to figure out why?'

Once I ask the question, I feel a definite compulsion to answer it.

What about you?

As for me, I, too have always loved writing but it wasn't until I picked up my first romantic suspense novel (when I was in my early thirties) that I actually thought "wow, not only do I think I *could* write a novel, I *want* to, too" - I found the genre later in my reading career and just fell in love so definitely for me, finding something I was excited about was a big motivator to actually sitting down and doing it. After that day, I actually did write a novel, and then another, and then another. Ideas come to me much the same was as Kristi and I love how they let me explore people/events/jobs/relationships etc that I don't have in my 'real' life. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the life I have, but writing is also a little bit of a vacation (even when I want to poke my eyes out editing). Do you write Charlene? What about you?

Suspense. Love it!! I published my first book three years ago. Write everyday and look forward to releasing another.

Dreams. I'm a vivid dreamer and can recall details most don't. I let it fester in my brain for a few days and wham, a two minute scene from a dream becomes a novel. Shattered memories was a cross between a dream and repressed memories of my own. The sequel was like what Kristi said, how would I cope with the aftermath of such violence and better yet, how do you move forward?

Oh man, dreams! My hubby is constantly amazed when I tell him about my bizarre dreams.

Just last night I dreamed about his step dad getting his 'cookie truck' repossessed (he bakes and sells cookies at fairs and events) and to dodge the bank he cut the gas lines to the house and was going to blow it up with everyone inside. Of course, I discovered the cuts and was frantically trying to get everyone out and fix the lines.

And some other stuff was going on, too. Pretty hard core. Especially since John is the sweetest guy who would never lift a finger to hurt anyone.

The logic in my dreams is often bent, but I do get some great nuggets out of them.