A Good Thriller discussion
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Q & A with Stacy Green.. April 6th and Free Book
Which of your books would you recommend to someone who has never read you before .. and why?Which of your books means the most to you ... and why?
I've got All Good Deeds after reading good things about it. I'll bump it up and read it next.
How do you do your writing process. Do you start out with a point A in the book and write towards point B adding twists and turns along the way, and finding the ending as you arrive at the conclusion? Or do you have a set point A and set point B, already have the twists and turns planned out, and write the story to revolve around those? I know the last book just came out in December, but when do we expect to hear more from Lucy Kendall?!
Who is the least successful or most obscure author to have influenced your writing, and in what way?
Hi Stacy! How do you choose the names for your characters? Is it like naming one's child?
HI Stacy, as you write successive novels, what do you learn about writing and how do you make them better?
Hey Stacy, I have recently finished Tin God and look forward to the other 2 books in the series. Any plans for a fourth in this trilogy? Also plan to read the Delta Detective series with Cage Foster. I really liked the character of Nick Samuels, investigative reporter in Tin God. Any plans for writing any stories with Nick as the main character?
HI StacyWhat do you do if you are stuck by that rotten blight that some writers suffer from - writer's block?
I am so glad to see you here Stacy! So far I think I have read all of your books and really enjoyed them all. You write such descriptive books, in your Delta Detectives series you can actually FEEL the heat and humidity of the true south and in Into the Devils Underground you do the same thing for Las Vegas...In your Lucy Kendall series you can feel the cold bite of winter and smell the city....In order to be this descriptive have you lived in all these different places?
Hi everyone! Thanks so much for your questions. I'm going to go from the earliest one and answer from there. Linda, as for which book I'd recommend first, that's a tricky one. Tin God is the first book in the Delta Crossroads Trilogy, and it has mystery and some romance. But if you love thrillers, All Good Deeds is the one to start with. The Lucy Kendall Series is darker, and frankly, I think it's a better book. Tin God is good and I'm certainly proud of it, but it was my second full length novel, and I've learned a lot since I wrote it.
As for which book means the most, I would have to say All Good Deeds. I had a very clear picture of Lucy Kendall in my head when I started writing, and this was the first book I wrote without worrying about what people would think, whether they would like it, etc. I wrote it for me, so to speak, and it turned out really well.
Autumn, my writing process constantly evolves, but I am a plotter. I start out with the overall idea, usually knowing where I want the book to end, and then I start thinking about how that can happen. I figure out the major events of the book (inciting incident, turning points, midpoints) and then start thinking about the connecting scenes between those points. I'm usually able to get about 60-70% of the book plotted before I start writing. That's usually the point where I feel like I have to write to figure out what needs to happen. And quite often, some of the scenes change. And new ones are always added. As for the Lucy Kendall Series, book three is coming out in May! I hope to have book four ready late this summer as well. I'm actually working on it now.
Luffy, that is a tough one. I would have to say S.J. Watson's Before I Go Go Sleep. It was one of the first ebooks I read, and I read it shortly after it's debut. This book was a slow burn to a best seller, so he was still unknown. I loved the psychological element in the writing, the way he kept so much of the mystery in the character's head. It reminded me of my favorite kind of horror movies–the ones that don't have tons of blood and guts but get their scares subtly. I really liked that.
Hi Brenda! Names are a funny thing. Some of them pop into my head easily–like Cage Foster and Lucy Kendall. Others I looked up on various name databases until I found something that sounded right for the character in my head, and then I'd look for a surname to match. If I know the character has a specific cultural background, like Creole or Italian, I keep that in mind when I'm looking for names. But yes, it is a little like naming your child!
Perri, great question. I work really hard on the craft of writing. I've been studying James Scott Bell's Super Structure lately, and it's helped quite a bit in plotting. With every new novel, I am hyperaware of whatever problems I saw in the first one, be it plot or character or specific prose. I know the things my editor harps on, and I'm getting better at working on those as I write. And that's really what makes a writer better–more writing. Like anything, it takes practice. I'm learning how to write leaner sentences and work on the subplots. Reading is another huge asset. I just finished re-reading Karin Slaughter's Will Trent series, (we need a new book!) this time from a writer's point of view. I learned a lot about the craft and the direction I want to take my writing.
Hi Christine, thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the series. Nick does show up as one of four main characters in Ashes and Bone, with his own section. As of now, I don't have plans to write another book with him as the lead, but I wouldn't rule it out, either. I thought that series was finished until I went to Writer's Police Academy late last summer. That's when I realized Cage still had more stories to tell.
Sharon, I try to tell myself writer's block isn't real. I suffer from not wanting to start syndrome, lol. I can fly once I get going. I think if you hit a point in your work where you're having trouble, that means something's wrong with it on some level. When I started See Them Run (Lucy Kendall #2), I wrote 25K and then stalled for a couple of weeks. I realized that I'd taken the book in the wrong direction and basically trashed what I had and started over. So I am always thinking about that if I run into hangups. I also turn to craft books if I'm hitting a wall–something that will inspire me to try a new writing exercise or simply jumpstart things. That usually does the trick.
Hi JoAnn! Actually ... I've never been to any of the places I've written about. With the Delta series, I had the help of my critique partner, who is Southern. Las Vegas took a lot of research, and with Lucy's series, I have a reader who is from Philadelphia. She was a big asset in the authenticity of it. But from a weather standpoint, it was easier to write because we certainly get the bitter cold here as well. That's the one experience I share with my characters!
Thank you all for your questions! I'm happy to answer follow ups as well.
Mod
Do you know where a book / series is going when you set out? At the beginning of a series is their an end line in your head?
Mod
I've not read a Lucy Kendal book but I will. If you could cast an actress to play her, who would it be?
Janet, great questions. I would love to say I knew where everything would end up, but with the Delta Crossroads Series, I was too inexperienced. I didn't even plan a series with that. I just realized that Cage had a story to tell and started Skeleton's Key. I learned a lot from that, and when I started working on the Lucy series, I did have an ending planned. That's changed on me 3 times so far, because she keeps evolving in ways I didn't expect. And that's okay, because that is one of the most rewarding parts of writing!Jessica Chastain has been Lucy since I conceived her. I think she would do an amazing job. As for authors in the genre, Karin Slaughter is a master, IMHO. I love seeing how much better her books have gotten since she first started out. Lisa Gardner, Lisa Unger, Alafair Burke, Jeffrey Deaver, Greg Isles...the list goes on. I'm reading Mo Hayder right now. Very good.
As for what I liked to read as a kid, I was very into the Little House books, and then I moved on to Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. I LOVED the Trixie books. If they had them in ebook I would re-read, lol.
Good morning, Stacy. I am so excited that you are doing our Q & A today! I have just recently read your two Lucy Kendall books - is it May yet? I am waiting with bated breath for #3. I am sure that I will start the Delta Crossroads Trilogy very soon as well, because I am a big fan of your writing. How in the world did your mind conjure up Lucy Kendall? I mean, she is very different from most protagonists, and I love the psychological/moral/ethical tug-of-war that happens in those books. What was the inspiration for Lucy? When did you know that you wanted to be a writer? Who inspired you or mentored you along the way?
Hi Stacyhow much research goes into your books?
do you spend time with any special groups to get an idea of what you are doing right / wrong or do you gauge this for yourself?
how much, if any, does your own personality go into the story?
I love Karin Slaughters Will Trent series, and yes they can be very dark at times but those characters are so amazing (Dang another YEAR before we get another book)....I know from watching interviews people are always surprised when looking at here that she writes such dark stuff....Do people ask you the same thing? Because by looking at your picture you would NEVER guess you could write such a compelling character as Lucy....you look like the mom down the street :-)
I know! You live in IOWA, for gosh sakes! What do your neighbors think? How do you find time to write with a child and three dogs - do you have to lock yourself in your office? What is the most challenging thing about being a writer? Is it the actual writing, or all the other stuff that goes along with it (the business side)?
Stacy wrote: "Hi everyone! Thanks so much for your questions. I'm going to go from the earliest one and answer from there. Linda, as for which book I'd recommend first, that's a tricky one. Tin God is the firs..."
Thank you so much for spending time with us! I know exactly where I'm going to start ... All Good Deeds. Thank you again!
Hi Jean! Thank you so much. I'm happy you're enjoying the books. It will be May soon, I promise. On Lucy Kendall, prepare to laugh. I'm sure all know that romance is king, whether you are traditional or indie. That genre sells more than any other, and I when I was still struggling to pay bills, I decided I was going to break into that market even though it's not one I enjoy. So I came up with Lucy Kendall as a name and started thinking about her life. No matter how hard I tried, she wanted nothing to do with romance. My mind kept going dark and twisted, and I realized what I really wanted to write was from a killer's point of view. So then I had to figure out how on earth to make readers empathize with her. That's when everything started coming together, and I decided I would never be any type of romance author, lol.
In addition to Karin, I love Tana French and Gillian Flynn. Greg Isles, Jeffrey Deaver, Linda Fairstein, Tess Gerritsen, Erica Spindler. The list goes on!
Hi Sharon,
I am doing more and more research. It is vital to making the book authentic. With See Them Run, I spent a lot of time talking with sex crimes detectives as well as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. I'm actually heading to DC in a couple of weeks to visit with them in person. I'm fortunate to have connected with Mississippi's deputy medical examiner, and she was vital in getting the Delta books accurate. Writing from any kind of legal standpoint is tricky, and research is vital. Readers want things much more accurate than what's seen on TV.
JoAnn, I wish it wasn't so long for another Will book. He is one of the best characters out there. So flawed and yet consistently evolving. Yes, people are always shocked at how dark I write. They definitely don't expect it. I have them all fooled!
Mod
I thought the atmosphere and feel of the heat the characters were suffering was explained so well in Tin God. Was this part of the story idea.
Do you prefer serial books, or are you considering Stand Alone Book as well.
Where would you like to travel to for a great background for a book.
Hi Stacy :)Hope you're doing well!
So you mention Karin Slaughter? She's amazing! Me and my friends have a kind of inside joke about her darkness. I mean, she's got slaughter in her name, how dark would one have to be to go about with that name? Lol! I love Will Trent too. Although I keep picturing him as this young, energetic, vicious, Castle-like guy, haha.
So my question is, I haven't really tried any of your books but I've heard great things about you. Lucy Kendall has been long on my TBR. How much do you think is she like you? If any, which character do you think resembles you the most or who do you perceive yourself as- yours or anyone else's?
Also, do you know what you want for your characters? I mean, even if nothing specific, do you know, or have any idea, where or how do you want your characters to end up like?
Thanks, Sean. Yes, I wanted the heat in Tin God to sort of be a secondary character, because the circumstances were so tough for both main characters, and the heat added an additional conflict, if that makes sense.I'm not opposed to a stand alone book. I actually have two ideas, but series seem to be the way to build an audience. I just haven't found the time to work on the stand alones.
Oh wow. Any place? I'd love to figure out a way to set my book in Italy and spend a month researching over there!
Ishita,I love Karin Slaughter. I have learned more from her than any other author, and she'll be at a conference I'm attending in August. Hoping I get to meet her.
I think someone else asked about putting myself in my characters, and I forgot to answer. Sorry! As for Lucy, she is a lot like me, to be honest. Her views on the justice system and pedophiles mirror my own. I have zero tolerance and it is very easy to put myself in her shoes, especially as the mother of a young girl. I doubt I could take it as far as Lucy does, but if something happened to my child, I might. A lot of her knee-jerk reactions to things come straight from me–it's how I would initially react in the situation. And her deep fear of death is something personal I deliberately gave her. There's a scene where she wakes up in a panic thinking about it, and that's directly from my own experience.
Dani in Skeleton's Key is also similar to me in a lot of ways. I modeled her experiences/heartache over her mother on my own (my mother is a diabetic on dialysis, and we are very close). And both she and Lucy have been very well received, so it seems to be the right decision.
Because I'm a plotter, yes, I know where I want my characters to end up at the end of the book. Character arc is vital, and that's something I work on before I get into the scene by scene plotting. We all want to see the character grow from point A to B, right? That's one of my favorite parts of writing.
Thanks!
Get an autograph for me too, if you will. Lol!True that. A good character development makes a book that much better. But do you have any idea where do you want your characters to end up at the end of the series? Do you also plot how long you want your series to be and how do you want it to end? Or do you prefer taking it one book at a time?
Hi Stacy,Thanks so much for taking time out to answer our questions. My question is about your writing style. Is it linear or non linear? Do you write sequentially or just write down a sequence or scene when it comes to your mind and then worry about fitting it in the book in due time?
Thanks!
Ishita, I will do my best. Yes, I have an idea of where they will end up at the end of the series, but with Lucy, that has changed because she has evolved in ways I didn't expect. I do know her final scene and how the series will end. It's something I've seen from the time I started writing book 2. My Crossroads series was different, because that didn't start out to become a series. I didn't know until about midway through Skeleton's Key (book 2) that I wanted to write third book, and it took me a while to figure things out. Gopal,
You are welcome! Most of the time, my writing is linear. I need to know what happens between points A and B. Now, when I'm plotting, I sort of think of all the things that need to happen and then put them in the order that make sense, but when it comes down to the writing, I try to write in order. Every once in a while, I'll get hung up on a scene and jump to another, but that doesn't happen too often.
Hi Stacy! So glad you're here! In terms of plot reveals - how do you know when to drop a hint that a big reveal is coming later in the story? Have you worked out a 'formula' - terrible word, sorry - like a chapter before? Or is it more intuitive as you write?
Thanks, HN
H.N.Thank you! It is kind of intuitive for me, and my editor is a big help with that. But this is also where plotting can come in handy. If you know your major turning points, it is easier to figure out when something significant needs to happen to make those points pack more punch. But it is also part instinct. Does that answer your question, lol?
Hey SEAN, she liked my question ;) Stacy, I see from your bio you were born in my home state of IN.(where?) Do you remember anything there? What's the best and worst thing about life in Iowa?
Stacy wrote: "H.N.Thank you! It is kind of intuitive for me, and my editor is a big help with that. But this is also where plotting can come in handy. If you know your major turning points, it is easier to fig..."
It sure did! Thanks!
Perri, I was born in Greenwood, Indiana, which is a suburb of Indianapolis. I moved to Iowa when I was eight, so I have a few memories of Indiana. My grandparents owned a lot of farmland on Emerson Avenue, and I have a lot of memories from their house. When we moved from the area, so much of it was still farmland. But now it's all built up and nearly unrecognizable.The best thing about Iowa is that it's still a safe place to raise kids. We live in a decent sized town with a great school system, and we don't have to worry about a lot of crime or the problems inner cities have (at least in general). The worst thing is that a lot of people assume Iowa means backward, uncultured, etc. We might not have huge cities like Chicago, but there are still a lot of opportunities here.
So Stacy, can you give us the tiniest of hints of what to expect next for Lucy? She is such a great character and despite the little "flaw" in her moral compass I can't help but love her but really am worried about her future :-)
Stacy, do you ever fear you might run out of writing ideas? Also, do you think you would ever include southern Minnesota in one of your book tours? Would love to meet you in person!
Jo Ann,Lucy opens up book 3 in a very bad state, because all of her previous decisions have come crashing down around her. She's very close to the bottom, but something specific happens that snaps her out of it. Gone to Die (Lucy Kendall #3) is a big step in Lucy's learning to recognize and accept who/what she really is.
Christine,
Sometimes I worry about that, but I worry more about burn out from the pace of indie publishing. That's why I am constantly working to find balance. As for southern MN, that's a definite possibility. I have friends in the Twin Cities, so I'm very familiar with the route. I actually have an idea that would take place in the state. It's centered around some very interesting disappearances over the past 10 years. Hopefully I'll have the time to bring that idea to fruition.
Stacy wrote: "Perri, I was born in Greenwood, Indiana, which is a suburb of Indianapolis. I moved to Iowa when I was eight, so I have a few memories of Indiana. My grandparents owned a lot of farmland on Emerso..."Stacy, living in southern Minnesota and having met a lot of Iowans and having traveled to Iowa several times, I can vouch for your state. I have often thought Iowa would be a great place to move to. And I must say if any of my cats develop a serious health condition, I head straight down I35 to the Iowa State veternarian center 3 hours away. Off the cuff question, Stacy, but have you ever taken one of your animals there? It is truly top notch.
Stacy wrote: "Jo Ann,Lucy opens up book 3 in a very bad state, because all of her previous decisions have come crashing down around her. She's very close to the bottom, but something specific happens that snaps..."
Oh, Stacy, how intriguing!! You have to make that novel happen, please!
Christine wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Jo Ann,Lucy opens up book 3 in a very bad state, because all of her previous decisions have come crashing down around her. She's very close to the bottom, but something specific happ..."
It is on my stand alone list. I need to talk with my friend in the Cities and get more detail on the story.
Another author I failed to mention is Erik Rickstead. His Silent Girls is really good. He is a newer author but definitely one to watch!
Stacy, you mentioned the pace of the indie author. Because I read a lot I enjoy that there is always a new book for me but I do worry about you and other members of the Indie community. Writing has got to be hard work, especially with the quality of writing you give us, how do you keep up the pace and have a life?
Jo Ann wrote: "Stacy, you mentioned the pace of the indie author. Because I read a lot I enjoy that there is always a new book for me but I do worry about you and other members of the Indie community. Writing ha..."It's tough for me, TBH. I write fast, but the subject matter takes it toll and it takes time. I try very hard to write only when my daughter is at school, and if I do write on the weekends, it's when she is busy doing something else. She is involved in swimming and soccer, so that helps keep things full. I also make it a priority to have dinner with the family and get to the gym. There are times I feel guilty for not jumping on the computer and working at night, but I also believe writers need time away to recharge.
Stacy, do you find time to also read a lot of thrillers? Is there any genre you don't read?
Stacy wrote: "Jo Ann wrote: "Stacy, you mentioned the pace of the indie author. Because I read a lot I enjoy that there is always a new book for me but I do worry about you and other members of the Indie commun..."I can see the need to take a break between books, they are emotionally rough on the reader, can't imagine how hard some of that must be to write...but dang they are good.
Brenda, I do try to read every day. I usually end up reading in bed after the kiddo goes to sleep. I pretty much stick to thrillers of some kind, and I have to say I'm not a romance reader. Jo Ann, thank you! Some of it is pretty tough, but it is all worth it.
How do you get the ideas for your books? Are they from general sources or you look for specific topics before you start writing a story?How long does it take to research, outline, write and bring a story to completion? How often does the editor come into picture? Who's your sounding board for the plots and outlines?
My apologies if there are too many questions in one message, I kind of got on a roll there....
Gopal, my ideas come from a lot of different things. Sometimes it's a true story that inspires me, other times it's a specific topic. It all depends on what strikes me. With Lucy, I knew I needed her to victims to be universally hated, which is how I ended up with her killing pedophiles. As for bringing the story to completion, this is where the frenetic pace of indie comes in. I tend to get faster with each book, streamlining my process, so I can usually do all my research and drafts within three months, and then the editors take over.
I have a critique partner who's amazing, and we volley a lot of plots and issues back and forth. My developmental editor is also essential, because she knows where the series is going, and if I am really stuck I can turn to her for help.
No problem. Great questions!
Do your story ideas ever give you nightmares or hit too close to home? As the mother of a young daughter, your research and some of the plots in the Lucy Kendall books must really make your heart race! How do you balance work - especially when you are in the midst of something really dark - with family and fun and relaxation?
Hi Jean, sorry for the delay in answering. I had to take my daughter to swim practice. Yes, I have definitely become more paranoid since writing the Lucy Kendall books and doing all the research into sex trafficking. It is terrible out there and how easily a girl can get duped into something, let alone how easily it is to snatch and hurt a young girl. I am always looking at every one as a suspect, lol. Balancing is tough, because my brain is always going. I try to shut off the writing stuff when I come out of my office, because I don't want my daughter to feel like she comes second. It is a constant work in progress!
Mod
Some great questions.
Will be in contact soon
Thanks so much for the wonderful questions! I really enjoyed chatting with you all.
Add your questions here, and I will pick the best question, and Stacy has agreed to send a free copy of her book (Stacy will confirm which one).
Please do try to read one of her books, All Good Deeds or Tin God.