Today, Hartford Books Examiner presents part two of his discussion with internationally bestselling author Tess Gerritsen. (You can read part one here.)
Gerritsen first appeared on the New York Times bestseller list in 1996 with Harvest—her first medical thriller. (Prior to that, she had written nine romantic suspense titles.) Life Support (1997), Bloodstream (1998), and Gravity (1999) soon followed, firmly establishing her name as heavyweight in the genre. But it would be 2001’s The Surgeon that would spawn a series that is still going strong today.
The Surgeon resulted from readers requesting that Gerritsen write a book about “serial killers and twisted sex.” The book introduced Detective Jane Rizzoli, who would meet both foe (Warren Hoyt, again) and friend (Dr. Maura Isles) in its sequel, The Apprentice (2002). Rizzoli and Isles have since appeared in The Sinner (2003), Body Double (2004), Vanish (2005), The Mephisto Club (2006), The Bone Garden (2007), and The Keepsake (2008)—all of which were New York Times bestsellers.
Now, Tess Gerritsen talks about her inadvertent series, the hazards of blogging, and what’s next for her beloved characters, among other things…
1) A 3rd grade teacher once asked you when you were going to write about "serial killers and twisted sex." You did so in 2001 with THE SURGEON, which launched the bestselling Jane Rizzoli/Maura Isles books. At the time, was it your intention to embark on a series? Do you prefer writing series' entries or stand-alones? Do you find that the writing process differs for each?
I never planned to write a series. It just happened. THE SURGEON was meant to be a stand-alone novel, and Jane Rizzoli was supposed to die at the end of the book. But when I reached that point in the story, I found I couldn't kill her off. She had grown on me, had shown so much courage and heart in the face of adversity that she deserved to survive. After I turned in THE SURGEON, I began work on another stand-alone novel, but the characters from THE SURGEON kept calling to me. Not just Jane, but also Warren Hoyt, the serial killer who survives the first book. Their voices started clamoring so loudly for a sequel that I put aside the novel I was working on and instead wrote THE APPRENTICE.
To my surprise, I now had a series.
The writing process is quite different. Suddenly I have very broad character arcs to develop. The lives of Jane and Maura (a second character introduced into the series in book 2) must spin out more gradually, with changes that take years. A courtship may span several books; even Jane's pregnancy took three books to complete! I can take my time developing the nuances of their characters, and I find that my readers are less focused on the mystery plot, and more interested in the lives of Jane and Maura. In some ways, that makes the books easier; in other ways, they're harder to write.
2) Speaking of Rizzoli and Isles, let me just say that you have created two very memorable characters. While Det. Rizzoli seemed to be the focal point early on, Dr. Isles has been stepping forward more and more in the last few books. Was that a deliberate decision on your part or was it a case of the characters telling you what needed to happen? Do you ever find it difficult making room for both? Also, if readers are looking to find you in those characters, what might they see?
I can't say I've planned anything in this series. Things just happen. Jane lived when she was supposed to die. Maura Isles was a very minor character -- until she somehow became a major character. I use no plot roadmaps, no character charts. I just start writing to see what happens next. The use of dual main characters is far easier, I think, than using just one character. Jane and Maura are such different personalities, that bouncing between the two of them keeps the writing more interesting for me. When I get tired of Maura's depressing love life, I can pop into Jane's chaotic household.
If readers are looking for my own personality, they'll probably find that I'm closest to Maura. She and I are both reserved, scientifically minded, and inclined toward introspection. I'm not as gloomy as she is, but I've been known to be moody!
3) You are very straightforward when giving your opinion on literary matters, whether it be through your blog posts or other media forums. This has, on occasion, created a backlash among your readers. How important is it for you to tell it like it is (versus telling it like people want it to be)? Do you ever find that it's easier to stay silent? If so, how disconcerting is that?
I've been stung by some of the reactions to my blog, and as a result I find I'm less and less inclined to be forthcoming. It's not my fellow writers who take offense, since so many of my opinions are shared by other authors. Rather, it's non-writers who seem offended by the fact that we writers can be sensitive, fretting creatures who care deeply about our work. I'm opting to be more silent these days, and am only blogging occasionally. It truly is easier to stay silent.
4) You still go out on book tour. How important is this in maintaining your readership? How do you think it compares to more innovative methods of promotion (such as blog tours, virtual signings, etc.)?
In the UK and abroad, book tours are tremendously powerful promotional tools. After I toured the UK for several years in a row, my sales there increased by leaps and bounds. Ditto in Germany. In the US, though, I'm not sure. I think the American public is jaded and not all that interested when an author is coming to town. Travel in a country as big as the US means you spend a lot of time waiting in airports, just getting from city to city. I suspect that an author's time is better spent working on the next book.
As for blog tours and virtual signings, I really don't know. It seems like an efficient, inexpensive way to promote oneself, but I have no idea how effective it is.
5) What can you tell us about what you're working on now? And when might we expect to see it in stores?
I'm in the final stretch writing the next book, which should go on sale sometime in 2010. We still don't have a title yet (always a point of contention!). All I can tell you is that it's another Jane and Maura book, and Maura is in for quite an ordeal in the state of Wyoming.
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The Keepsake is now available in paperback. You can visit the author on her web-site and view her blog posts at Murderati.com.
With deep appreciation to Tess Gerritsen for her time and enthusiasm…
Comments
I wish she would go on a book tour, i would be there in a heart beat! Come to North Florida!
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