Lisa’s Comments (group member since Dec 30, 2014)

Lisa’s comments from the Ask Lisa Gardner and Tess Gerritsen group.

Thank you everyone for you questions! And thank you Tess for taking time out of your tour to visit. Loved Die Again and it was a privilege to get to hang out with you on Goodreads. Safe travels!

Sean wrote: "Hi Lisa

Great reading about your research, especially for my favourite book, Catch Me, loved the book.

I ask you and Tess, to you have your own favourite book of your own and of each other?"

My favorite book of my own is Love You More, the first Tessa Leoni book. It's personal to me, as it depicts just how far a mother would go to save her child. My favorite Tess Gerritsen book is the Bone Garden, though Die Again is a close second as I love the whole backstory in Africa. I visited 2 years ago (Tess, I think we have the save publicist there!), and Tess captured everything in such vivid detail. Now I want to go again!

Susan wrote: "I have enjoyed both Lisa and Tess books. This is for both authors: Do you have an idea of how a story is going to go when you start writing or have you ever started with an ending of a story and ..."

I have to write beginning to end, very linear, though not all suspense novelists do. From research, I'll have a vague idea of major plot points, what I'm heading toward. But most of the story develops as I go. And like Tess, once I reach the end and realize what it is I'm writing, I do extensive revision work to tighten and polish. Being a professional writer, I need to produce a book a year. So regardless of topic, etc., I know how long the book will take to write: twelve months!

Dee wrote: "Hello Lisa, and thank you for taking the time to visit us. I'm curious how far you've taken it in learning about the different subjects you write about. For example, have you taken extra courses in..."

I have taken a few classes in crime scene management, that sort of thing. What I really recommend is visiting the Writers Police Academy every September, where all the experts are in one places given classes on everything from blood spatter analysis to mass murderers 101. Great stuff! Mostly, I call, beg, plead for an interview, than hang onto every word. There are people out there with amazing jobs, and I'm grateful for them! I just type for a living.

Mary wrote: "This question is for both of you...how did you know your writing was strong enough to try to publish it? Also, do you have a writing regimen because I am the queen of procrastination so I don't bel..."

Make goals for yourself. Small ones at first: write a paragraph, write a page, write three pages. And reward yourself. You did good work. Also, no starting new projects, no matter how tempting, till you finished the old. You must have an ending to have a novel.

Then believe. You must send the book out in the world. We all had to and we were all nervous. Good luck!

Anuj wrote: "Dear Lisa,

I read your book Love You More 2 days back and I loved it, it was awesome. It was one of the very best crime thrillers I read in recent times, I became an instant fan. So my question is..."

Ah the Tessa vs. D.D. debate. I don't have an answer. I love them both, which is why they both keep reappearing. And I would guess you have more of both of them in your future. At least I hope so!

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "Ms. Garner,
I started reading you on a regular basis after The Perfect Husband - wonderful by far! Do you think up the villain first, then plot the storyline? Or does the storyline rev..."

Ah thank you! Jim Beckett remains my favorite villain. I read a lot of criminology. Probably too much. One of the reasons I write suspense is that like many of us, I want to better understand the nature of evil. How can that seemingly normal guy next door really have six bodies in his basement? The more I read, the more I have to write, because it turns out the answer to that question--what is the nature of evil--has more than one answer. In Crash & Burn, I'm basically exploring if head trauma can lead to evil, as it definitely does cause changes in behavior. And at least one serial killer blamed his crime spree on a brain tumor, which he did have.

Tess wrote: "Sue wrote: "I am a huge fan of both of you, I patiently wait for both of you to publish, so very excited two new books to fill a couple of days of reading. My question is who do you read? Who are..."

Now I'm blushing. And if you like romance with your suspense, you can add Lisa Jackson to that list. So now that I think about it, my entire career is really due to being a Lisa.

Erin wrote: "Hi! What motivated you to write detective novels? And, when you read, what is your favorite genre?"

I like puzzles. In my family, we're always playing games, plotting strategy. And my grandmother fed us a constant diet of Erle Stanley Gardner (Perry Mason books), so I figure I was doomed to be a suspense novelist. I love it, though. The research opportunities, talking to agents, visiting places like the Body Farm. What's not to love?

Tess wrote: "Barbara wrote: "A lot of people complain that mysteries are too formulaic. How do you keep your stories fresh--how do you keep them from merely following s formula?"

The only formula I try to foll..."

I'm with Tess: I don't have any set guidelines other than some sense of resolution. I think research is the key to unearthing fresh ideas and perspectives. I also like to start with characters who could go either way: they all have good and bad treats. Some will rise to the occasion, others will devolve. But who is who, I don't even know until the bitter end. I think it keeps the book interesting.

Tess wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Hi! You both write amazing books! I was wondering what your process is for researching information. Where do you begin? How long does it take you to compile all of your research into..."

Like Tess, I love research! Right now, I'm working with the FBI to learn about victim specialists, a position I was previously unfamiliar with. I think anytime you can shed light on a new position or aspect of law enforcement, it's fascinating. Some of my favorite research was for Catch Me, involving 911 dispatch operators. Oh, the calls they get! Truth is definitely stranger than fiction!

Diane wrote: "Kate wrote: "Lisa,

We get to know many of your characters as they return in multiple books. Have any of them surprised you with the direction they've gone in throughout the course of your writing..."

I never intended for any of my characters to repeat, so yes, I've been surprised many times. Kimberly became an FBI agent? Who knew? And D.D. found love, had a child, got married. Crazy! But that's the cool part of writing even for authors. I bet Tess would agree, our own books often take us for surprise. Which is fun! You don't become a writer to know everything that's gonna happen next.

Diane wrote: "Lisa, I noticed on Tess's book ad for "Die Again" they quote you as saying "Harrowing". On the TV show Castle they had a scene where he had rec'd a request for a review/comment and he threw out a w..."

Oh no. I never quote anything I haven't read. Though, to be honest, it's an honor to receive an early copy of one of Tess's books. I've been following her since Gravity, and she helped me with the launch of my first suspense, The Perfect Husband, so to get to read my favorite author before anyone else... Sometimes, this business is too good to be true. Then of course, there are the days you throw out everything you've just written...

Tami wrote: "Lisa. I'm excited to read more about Tessa Leoni (as I've just finished listening to Love You More) in Crash & Burn but am curious as to when the next DD Warren book will be out. She is one of m..."

I am writing the next D.D. Warren now. She's still injured, but back on the job in a supervisory position. D.D. Warren now in management. Be afraid. Be very, very afraid...

Didi wrote: "Hi Lisa,

Here are some questions that keep running through my mind:
I wanted to know if you get inspired by real events to write your novels?
Who is your favorite writer?
Do you read other lite..."

Most of my books have been inspired by real life. Crash & Burn started by reading about post-concussive syndrome in football players. It got me thinking what it would be like to not be able to trust your own mind? In some cases, repetitive head traumas can also lead to violence, meaning what if you took a nice, ordinary woman and now suddenly she's hitting her husband, who's name she doesn't always remember, while talking about a little girl, the husband swears doesn't exist. She is injured. Her brain is definitely damaged. But is she wrong??? And then I started to write Crash & Burn.

Carol wrote: "My favorite two authors in one discussion?! Awesome!! My favorite thing that both Tess and Lisa do is "grow" their characters! I love opening the latest book from a series and reading how character..."

You named your dog after Quincy? I love that, being a dog person and all. And yes, Quincy would definitely be a German Shepherd. You got that right!

I never say never to see the profilers again, as characters do tend to repeat in my world. I need the right idea though, something truly worthy of the Quincy clan. Maybe something with Kimberly's daughter. You've given me much to consider! After Crash & Burn this year, Detective D.D. Warren returns next year. Hope you enjoy!

Tess wrote: "Christine wrote: "Lisa,
I love your books. I was wondering if we are ever going to see more of Pierce Quincy and Rainie and also Kimberly Quincy? I really enjoyed reading about them. Also do y..."

I can't wait to read this! While I love Rizzoli & Isles, my favorite Tess Gerritsen novel remains The Bone Garden.

Tess wrote: "Diane wrote: "If approached would either of you accept a request to be on "Dancing With the Stars"? ;) I think they absolutely need to have some authors representing! I've heard that Heather Graham..."

I vote for Tess. I am not a dancer!

Cynthia wrote: "Lisa, I loved the book "Faceoff" and your contribution to it. Any chance that you and Tess can do something like this in perhaps an upcoming "Faceoff II"?"

First we'd have to be asked. But it would be fun to have all our Boston detectives running around. Then again, juggling three alpha women (Detective D.D. Warren, Rizzoli & Isles)... Whoa!

Sherry wrote: "Hello ladies!

My question is for Lisa and Tess.

I was scrolling through the comments and was surprised that I didn't see anyone mention covers. I love covers and will pick up a book just because ..."

The nice part of being NYT bestselling authors is that yes, if we truly hate a cover, we can say so. But Tess and I both work with great publishers, not to mention we share a brilliant agent, who all want to make the best book possible. So really, it's all very collaborative. And you're correct, covers are very important. I love Die Again, and I'm very excited for Crash & Burn with its fiery backdrop.