A Good Thriller discussion

Hi

Laura Griffin has agreed to do a Q & A on the 29th September and will also give a signed copy of her new book.

I will choose the best question on the day.

Thank you for the info

Laura, first of all, thank you for taking the time to spend with us. I have almost every book you've ever written (these are what I call my comfort books).

So my question is ... of all your books, which means the most to you and why?

Laura, which of your books would you suggest a new reader of your novels start with? And thank you so much for being here with us today!

Laura,

could you tell me,

when you start a book, how much of the plot is in your head, do you have the villain in mind at the start.

Or do you write and bring the plot at you go.


Who are some of your favourite authors to read yourself.

Laura,

Are any of your characters based on someone you know personally? If so ...do they know? :-)

Hi Linda,
That is a tough question. I would say in terms of personal milestones, my first book was very meaningful because I officially became an author. Another big milestone was my first RITA Award for the book WHISPER OF WARNING. I loved writing that book and the Glass sisters were a lot of fun. I dedicated that book to my sisters.

I couldn't pick a favorite book, though. That would be like choosing between children. :)
-Laura
Linda wrote: "Laura, first of all, thank you for taking the time to spend with us. I have almost every book you've ever written (these are what I call my comfort books).

So my question is ... of all your books..."

Laura wrote: "Hi Linda,
That is a tough question. I would say in terms of personal milestones, my first book was very meaningful because I officially became an author. Another big milestone was my first RITA Awa..."

Thank you! I have so enjoyed your books over the years.

Hi Christine, I would say you can start anywhere. As a reader, I have often picked up a series in the middle because I saw a book that appealed to me. So, I try to make all of my books have a "standalone" plot and a "standalone" romantic relationship, so that readers can start anywhere. The Tracers series begins with the book UNTRACEABLE, but you can start wherever you like. The characters overlap from book to book but each story stands on its own.

Thanks! -Laura

Christine wrote: "Laura, which of your books would you suggest a new reader of your novels start with? And thank you so much for being here with us today!"

Hi Sean,
For me the basic starting point is the characters. I know who the main two characters are when I start and that sets the tone for the story. I also usually begin with some sort of forensic research--interviewing experts or touring a crime lab to learn about some specific thing that will be part of the story. From there, I start writing and the plot begins to take shape.

As for villains, I sometimes know who it is and sometimes find out midway through the story. I have often been into a book and decided the villain I had thought it would be was much too obvious... so then had to shift things around.

-Laura

Sean wrote: "Laura,

could you tell me,

when you start a book, how much of the plot is in your head, do you have the villain in mind at the start.

Or do you write and bring the plot at you go.


Who are some ..."

Hi Linda, Good question! I think many characters have certain aspects that come from family, friends, people I have met over the years. I especially find this to be true when I interview people in law enforcement. I love listening to people talk and picking up the phrases, the slang, the way they interact with co-workers. I really like to observe people and weave the details into my stories.
-Laura

Linda wrote: "Laura,

Are any of your characters based on someone you know personally? If so ...do they know? :-)"

Thank you! I love writing them.

Linda wrote: "Laura wrote: "Hi Linda,
That is a tough question. I would say in terms of personal milestones, my first book was very meaningful because I officially became an author. Another big milestone was my ..."

Hopefully more questions with come through, throughout the day.

Hi Laura,
Thanks for being with us to answer questions. I have not read any of your books yet, but I know that you have written a lot! You have a number of series - do you have a favorite? Where would you suggest I start?

Laura wrote: "Hi Linda, Good question! I think many characters have certain aspects that come from family, friends, people I have met over the years. I especially find this to be true when I interview people in ..."


You do a great job in bringing them to life on paper!

Another question ...I am the inquisitive one ..

What authors do you read when you relax at the end of the day?

Laura, were you basically born an author with some self fine tuning over the years or did you have to formally learn to be an author by, say, getting an English degree and going through a number of writing courses. Do/did you have a mentor?

Hi Christine, I got my start as a newspaper reporter. So I learned a lot of it on the job covering news events and writing community features. I always loved the hard news stories, so I think that is why I was drawn to crime fiction when I first started writing novels. To me the best mentors are other writers. I read all the time, both fiction and writing books. My favorite is ON WRITING by Stephen King.
-Laura

Christine wrote: "Laura, were you basically born an author with some self fine tuning over the years or did you have to formally learn to be an author by, say, getting an English degree and going through a number of..."

I read! I always have 1, 2, or 3 books going. My favorite hobby...

Linda wrote: "Another question ...I am the inquisitive one ..

What authors do you read when you relax at the end of the day?"

Hi Jean, You can start with whatever book appeals to you. The Tracers series is up to 10 books now, but you don't have to start at the beginning. Each book has a standalone suspense plot and a standalone romance, so you can pick one up and dive right in. Within the Tracers series, the characters overlap from book to book, but you will not be lost if you start in the middle.
The newest book is SHADOW FALL, so you might try that!
-Laura

Jean wrote: "Hi Laura,
Thanks for being with us to answer questions. I have not read any of your books yet, but I know that you have written a lot! You have a number of series - do you have a favorite? Where w..."

Thanks, Laura. Did/do you have anyone who inspired/inspires you to write? A teacher, parent, family member, favorite author? Also, what do you do to relax or refresh your mind, to get away from your writing or to get outside your head for a while?

Hi Linda! Thank you for being here. What's a typical writing day for you? Are you a morning person? All day? I'm always surprised when authors say they actually write in long hand, I can't imagine that!

If you could have written any book which would it have been?

If you could dine with five people living or dead, who would be at the table?

Hi Jean, I had some very inspiring English teachers along the way who encouraged me to write. And then my first newspaper job, I had a mentor who was a veteran reporter and taught me the importance of getting out of the chair and meeting people face-to-face, versus talking on the phone. I learned how important it is to get real, vivid details about people and places.

As for what I do to relax... I have to get outside or I get cabin fever. I like to go for a run or take my dog on a walk so that I have time to think between chapters.
Thanks for your questions!
-Laura

Jean wrote: "Thanks, Laura. Did/do you have anyone who inspired/inspires you to write? A teacher, parent, family member, favorite author? Also, what do you do to relax or refresh your mind, to get away from you..."

Hey Laura, thanks for answering my question! I would also like to ask if you ever fear you may run out of plot ideas. Where do these come from? Do you actively have to think hard to come up with your stories or do they come to you easily?

Hi Janet,
Great to be here! My typical writing day doesn't begin until I get my family out the door. Then I usually get some exercise and spend some time thinking about what I plan to write that day. I write through the day and then tend to other things at night, such as catching up on email or social media.

If I could dine with any people... I would probably want to talk to some of my favorite authors from past and present: Joan Didion, J.D. Salinger, Patricia Cornwell, Stephen King, Larry McMurtry.

--Laura

Janet wrote: "Hi Linda! Thank you for being here. What's a typical writing day for you? Are you a morning person? All day? I'm always surprised when authors say they actually write in long hand, I can't imag..."

Laura wrote: "Hi Sean,
For me the basic starting point is the characters. I know who the main two characters are when I start and that sets the tone for the story. I also usually begin with some sort of forensic...

As for villains, I sometimes know who it is and sometimes find out midway through the story. I have often been into a book and decided the villain I had thought it would be was much too obvious... so then had to shift things around."

I love the last part about the villain :-)

How do you deal with all the demands storming at you? You hinted before you start writing after the family lives home but usually there are phones and people coming by. Do you switch everything - and everyone out ;-) when you want to write or let just life happen the way it comes?

Do you listen to music when you are writing?

Laura, would YOU like to pick the winner, or would you like me too?

Do you know if there are any plans to translate your books in German (or Polish)?
I tried to make some reader-suggestions for my library only to realize there is little to no chance with books in English so I haven't read any of your books yet - though they are all - at least those available in Germany - on my watchlist at Amazon waiting for Christmas [with hopefully some Gift-Cards ;-)]. When I look at the story lines I'm more than sure I will love them :-)

Some great questions and answers, which I've enjoyed reading through. I agree about the brilliance of King's "On Writing", from which I have learned a great deal.

What do you think is the biggest tip you picked up from reading it, and what would you say is most improved from your earlier writing to your current writing?

And, on that theme: writers are often advised to show and not tell; I wonder, how much of a conscious effort you make to follow such writerly advice?

It is always a challenge to tune out the distractions. I do not answer the phone when I'm working unless it's family. When it's a weekend or school holiday, I often retreat to a coffee shop to work so that I am not distracted by the craziness going on at home. It's much easier to ignore the noise of a coffee shop than the noise of kids coming and going.

-L

Agnieszka wrote: "Laura wrote: "Hi Sean,
For me the basic starting point is the characters. I know who the main two characters are when I start and that sets the tone for the story. I also usually begin with some so..."

Hi Sean, I wish I could! The lyrics are distracting when I'm writing words. But if I am outlining or doing research, I sometimes listen to music in the background.



Sean wrote: "Do you listen to music when you are writing?"

Hi Sean, I will be happy to pick. Do you want me to pick tomorrow and let you know so you can get in touch with the person?
=Laura

Sean wrote: "Laura, would YOU like to pick the winner, or would you like me too?"

Many of my books have been translated into German and Polish. I do not know which titles, off the top of my head, but you could check with your library or with Amazon. My German publisher is Blanvalet.

Thanks!
-Laura

Agnieszka wrote: "Do you know if there are any plans to translate your books in German (or Polish)?
I tried to make some reader-suggestions for my library only to realize there is little to no chance with books in E..."

Hi David,
One of my favorite tips from King is to avoid adverbs. Also, I like his advice about trying to use unusual details to describe a scene, versus using the most obvious ones that anyone would notice.

Showing not telling is something I think about all the time. It can be challenging to convey a lot of emotion through action rather than dialogue, but I try to do that. Also, I think good dialogue tends to have a subtext. Not just what is being said, but what is meant. Often a character's body language will contradict his words. For the reader, it can be like trying to decipher a hidden message within the scene.
-Laura



David wrote: "Some great questions and answers, which I've enjoyed reading through. I agree about the brilliance of King's "On Writing", from which I have learned a great deal.

What do you think is the bigges..."

Laura,

Thank you for indulging our little group today. The Tess Monaghan series begins with Baltimore Blues. The first murder victim is a man that is into afternoon trysts and, basically by all accounts, appears to be your typical male chauvinist. So, my question is two-fold. Did this novel develop from your disgust for this type of behavior, AND more importantly does Tess Monaghan closely follow your own character and your distaste for this type of behavior?

Thank you.
Cameron

Hi Cameron,
I think you have my Tracers series confused with a different author's. Is that the series by Laura Lippman?
-Laura

Cameron wrote: "Laura,

Thank you for indulging our little group today. The Tess Monaghan series begins with Baltimore Blues. The first murder victim is a man that is into afternoon trysts and, basically by all ..."

Hi Laura, I think you missed me on message 24! I am very interested in your answer!!

Laura wrote: "Hi David,
One of my favorite tips from King is to avoid adverbs. Also, I like his advice about trying to use unusual details to describe a scene, versus using the most obvious ones that anyone woul..."

Agree on the avoidance of adverbs, completely; just search for a more appropriate verb. I took on board his advice for signposting an upcoming event with a seemingly insignificant object.

Really like your advice about contradictory body language, too. Thanks for that.

Hi Christine, Yes, I missed this question!
Plot ideas come from everywhere... Because I'm a bit of a news junkie (I used to be a reporter) I often look to current events and news headlines for ideas. When a story intrigues me, I will do more research on it or file it away for later. Ironically, sometimes actual news events are so bizarre that they would make for unbelievable fiction...
Another source of inspiration for me-- conversations with experts in various fields. Every time I talk to someone in law enforcement or forensic science I get new ideas for plots and characters.
thanks,
Laura

Christine wrote: "Hey Laura, thanks for answering my question! I would also like to ask if you ever fear you may run out of plot ideas. Where do these come from? Do you actively have to think hard to come up with ..."

Laura, sorry to be so late with this question, but as I read your response to Christine's question, I had another come to mind. There are some pretty aweful stories in the news these days. With your background as a reporter, you know that sometimes stories can become sensationalized. Is there any subject matter as a novelist that you would NOT write about?

Laura wrote: "Hi Cameron,
I think you have my Tracers series confused with a different author's. Is that the series by Laura Lippman?
-Laura

Cameron wrote: "Laura,

Thank you for indulging our little group tod..."

Well, I guess that question definitely won't win, and gosh I was so looking forward to being one of the people that you wanted sitting at your table. Sigh.

Hi Laura,

Yes I think it will be great if you picked, pressure off...

Then I will contact them for their home address and forward to you on your own e-mail.

Thanks for your time, and I hope you will stay a member, and join in when you have a chance.

:-) thanks, Cameron

Cameron wrote: "Laura wrote: "Hi Cameron,
I think you have my Tracers series confused with a different author's. Is that the series by Laura Lippman?
-Laura

Cameron wrote: "Laura,

Thank you for indulging our li..."

Hi Jean, Yes. Stories about young children are hard. I covered stories like that as a reporter, and they still bother me.

Jean wrote: "Laura, sorry to be so late with this question, but as I read your response to Christine's question, I had another come to mind. There are some pretty aweful stories in the news these days. With you..."

Laura wrote: "Many of my books have been translated into German and Polish. I do not know which titles, off the top of my head, but you could check with your library or with Amazon. My German publisher is Blanva..."

That's really strange - Amazon didn't show any German titles. Thank you for the name of your publisher I'll check there and make a nice 'order' for my library and hope they approve. I'm so looking forward to read the books.

Thank you Laura for taking the time to answer all our questions :-)

Linda Strong has won the question, for a free book.

Linda, you will need to send Laura Griffin your home address, and choose a book, your choice.

Congratulations Linda :-)

Yay, Linda!!!!!

Well done, Linda.