Persistence

Earlier this evening I had the pleasure of meeting NYT bestselling author Tess Gerritsen. She signed my copy of her newest title, and we got to chat a bit before and after her talk to the crowd (which included instructions on how to make one of these). I've known Tess for a while online, and she was everything I expected her to be in person: intelligent, witty, gracious, and just an all-around nice person. If you haven't read her books, you should.

I asked her if she had any advice for writers trying to break in (i.e. moi). The first word from her mouth? You got it. Persistence.

She mentioned having the right idea at the right time, creating characters who speak to you on a variety of levels, landing a good agent, the all-important factor of luck...

But I think there's a reason persistence came first. Persistence is, without a doubt, the most important word a pre-published writer needs to keep in mind. Rejection is the norm in this business. Get used to it. Get over it. Move on. Write a better book. If your better book gets rejected, write an even better one.

And an even better one after that.

Is there ever a time a writer should give up? Is it ever just not in the cards? Are there people out there who just don't have what it takes to succeed in publishing?

Only you can answer that.

If it's truly your dream to become a published author, though, you won't quit. You'll keep giving it one more try, for as long as it takes.

And someday, when you're on your own national book tour, and some goober in the audience asks if you have any advice for aspiring authors, the first word from your mouth might just be persistence.

What's Your Gimmick?

Yesterday my son and I were browsing in the bookstore. He asked me why all Dick Francis novels have a picture of a horse on the cover.

“Because his stories are set around horseracing,” I said. “It’s his gimmick.”

“What’s your gimmick?” my son asked.

“I guess I don’t really have one.”

“You should make poker your gimmick.”

“Hmm. I guess I could have a character who’s a professional gambler, a guy who goes to all the big poker tournaments. Of course, it would take a lot of research. I would have to live that life for a while.”

He laughed. “Yeah, sure. Research. That’s what you could call it.”

See, my son thinks life on the road as a gambler sounds exciting and glamorous. I’m not so sure about that, but a poker theme for mysteries does sound like a decent gimmick.

So what’s your gimmick? Do you have one? Does a series sell better with a gimmick?