Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Your first published book, Circles of Confusion, sold in two days. Was this an example of overnight success?
A. I wish I could say yes, but my "overnight success" was built on three previous novels that never found a publisher. For these, I garnered over a hundred rejection slips, first from agents and then, once I found an agent, from publishers. During this time I met other talented writers who gave up after a handful of rejections. I decided to persevere. I truly believe that tenacity is as important as talent.
Q. I have written a book. Will you read it and tell me what you think?
A. Sorry, I can't. I get too many requests like this to be able to fulfill them and keep up with my own work.
Q: What is the best way to find an agent or publisher? How do I get published?
A: There is no best way and no magic answers to these questions. You should consider joining the Mystery Writers Of America, Sisters in Crime, or the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. These organizations exist to help writers. They have symposiums and conferences annually. They offer e-mail lists or online bulletin boards for writers to discuss subjects like getting published, finding an agent, etc. They are a great resource. There are also numerous web sites available for writers.
Q. How can I make my child a reader?
A. Only 45 percent of fourth graders and 19 percent of eighth graders read daily for fun. The average kid spends 6.5 hours a day in front of a screen: TV, video, computer or gaming system. Here are some ideas:
Q. Have you ever been a bone marrow donor like a character in Square in the Face?
A. No, although I have been called back in for further testing. The man who needed a transplant lived back East and was in his forties. Unfortunately, I was not a close enough match. Being tested to be a bone marrow donor is as simple as giving blood, and being an actual donor is not much more complicated. If you are interested,go to http://www.marrow.org. Your bone marrow reflects your genetic heritage, and there is a huge need for minority donors.
Q. How is writing a thriller different from writing a mystery?
A. In a mystery, the reader discovers, along with the sleuth, who the killer or the do-er of the evil deed is. In a thriller, the story question is—will the main character make it out alive?
Q. Do you think writing about murder and violence capitalizes on it?
A. In real life, the motive for murder is often banal or springs from so much craziness that we'll never understand it. Killers aren't brought to justice, or when they are, they are revealed to be pathetic losers or psychopaths. Novels make more sense than real life, which is why we read them. In a mystery, you can imagine yourself matching wits with the killer, get a little frightened, be relieved when justice is served, and then close the covers and go off to bed. All that being said, most writers I know told me that they were sticking to "comfort reads" in the weeks immediately following Sept. 11.
A. I wish I could say yes, but my "overnight success" was built on three previous novels that never found a publisher. For these, I garnered over a hundred rejection slips, first from agents and then, once I found an agent, from publishers. During this time I met other talented writers who gave up after a handful of rejections. I decided to persevere. I truly believe that tenacity is as important as talent.
Q. I have written a book. Will you read it and tell me what you think?
A. Sorry, I can't. I get too many requests like this to be able to fulfill them and keep up with my own work.
Q: What is the best way to find an agent or publisher? How do I get published?
A: There is no best way and no magic answers to these questions. You should consider joining the Mystery Writers Of America, Sisters in Crime, or the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. These organizations exist to help writers. They have symposiums and conferences annually. They offer e-mail lists or online bulletin boards for writers to discuss subjects like getting published, finding an agent, etc. They are a great resource. There are also numerous web sites available for writers.
Q. How can I make my child a reader?
A. Only 45 percent of fourth graders and 19 percent of eighth graders read daily for fun. The average kid spends 6.5 hours a day in front of a screen: TV, video, computer or gaming system. Here are some ideas:
- Be one yourself. Make sure your child sees you read every day.
- Read your child stories. Make reading aloud part of your daily ritual, even after your child can read on her own.
- Encourage your child to ask questions about the book you are reading to him, and ask them yourself. "What do you think will happen now?"
- When your child reads to you, be patient, listen attentively and don't correct too often.
- Keep new reading material coming. Make regular trips to the bookstore or library. Get your child his own library card or even a magazine subscription.
- Expand your child's vocabulary by explaining new words you come across when reading together.
- Have children practice reading to younger siblings or even pets.
- Pick books at the right level, because material that's too hard can be discouraging.
- Be aware of what your child enjoys. If she likes an author, help her find more of that author's work. Encourage her to explore subjects that interest her.
Q. Have you ever been a bone marrow donor like a character in Square in the Face?
A. No, although I have been called back in for further testing. The man who needed a transplant lived back East and was in his forties. Unfortunately, I was not a close enough match. Being tested to be a bone marrow donor is as simple as giving blood, and being an actual donor is not much more complicated. If you are interested,go to http://www.marrow.org. Your bone marrow reflects your genetic heritage, and there is a huge need for minority donors.
Q. How is writing a thriller different from writing a mystery?
A. In a mystery, the reader discovers, along with the sleuth, who the killer or the do-er of the evil deed is. In a thriller, the story question is—will the main character make it out alive?
Q. Do you think writing about murder and violence capitalizes on it?
A. In real life, the motive for murder is often banal or springs from so much craziness that we'll never understand it. Killers aren't brought to justice, or when they are, they are revealed to be pathetic losers or psychopaths. Novels make more sense than real life, which is why we read them. In a mystery, you can imagine yourself matching wits with the killer, get a little frightened, be relieved when justice is served, and then close the covers and go off to bed. All that being said, most writers I know told me that they were sticking to "comfort reads" in the weeks immediately following Sept. 11.