Comments on: Nine Marks for a Bestselling Author http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/11/30/nine-marks-for-a-bestselling-author/ Ten Authors. Five Genres. One Blog. Because the only thing scarier than a loaded gun pointed at your head....is writing about it. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:45:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Scarlet Letters http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/11/30/nine-marks-for-a-bestselling-author/#comment-17404 Scarlet Letters Mon, 04 Dec 2006 15:38:27 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=332#comment-17404 [...] So, on that note, here’s a list I copied from Murder She Writes, courtesy of the magnificent Allison Brennan, on what it takes to be a bestselling author.  On her group blog, she expanded on each point so I won’t do that here.  But I think I will print this, frame it, and be sure to read it everyday to keep me focused.  Bestsellerdom isn’t my end-all goal; publication and a career in writing is.  (Bestseller status would surely be icing on the cake, though!–get a grip, one thing at a time…)  Luckily the follwoing steps to bestsellers, as well as a simple career. [...] [...] So, on that note, here’s a list I copied from Murder She Writes, courtesy of the magnificent Allison Brennan, on what it takes to be a bestselling author.  On her group blog, she expanded on each point so I won’t do that here.  But I think I will print this, frame it, and be sure to read it everyday to keep me focused.  Bestsellerdom isn’t my end-all goal; publication and a career in writing is.  (Bestseller status would surely be icing on the cake, though!–get a grip, one thing at a time…)  Luckily the follwoing steps to bestsellers, as well as a simple career. [...]

]]> By: Allison http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/11/30/nine-marks-for-a-bestselling-author/#comment-17208 Allison Sun, 03 Dec 2006 04:35:56 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=332#comment-17208 Rob, you're embarrassing me. Stop. I think the BEST thing about virtually every published author I've met is that they are open and generous with their time and advice. Everyone has a different path to publication, and different trials on the road, but none of us are alone. Even though we're competitive in a sense (like Natalie wrote about earlier this week), we still help one another. That makes as ALL wonderful. Rob, you’re embarrassing me. Stop.

I think the BEST thing about virtually every published author I’ve met is that they are open and generous with their time and advice. Everyone has a different path to publication, and different trials on the road, but none of us are alone. Even though we’re competitive in a sense (like Natalie wrote about earlier this week), we still help one another. That makes as ALL wonderful.

]]> By: Rob Gregory Browne http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/11/30/nine-marks-for-a-bestselling-author/#comment-17112 Rob Gregory Browne Sat, 02 Dec 2006 14:39:11 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=332#comment-17112 To those of you who think this post is great, try sitting down for half an hour with Allison. She is so full of wonderful information about the publishing business that a conversation with her is like a master class in writing. Wonderful post, Allison. To those of you who think this post is great, try sitting down for half an hour with Allison. She is so full of wonderful information about the publishing business that a conversation with her is like a master class in writing.

Wonderful post, Allison.

]]> By: Allison http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/11/30/nine-marks-for-a-bestselling-author/#comment-16949 Allison Fri, 01 Dec 2006 07:10:14 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=332#comment-16949 Oh, and Spy, you DO count. Stop knocking yourself or I'll have to kill you off . . . in one of my books, of course. ;) Oh, and Spy, you DO count. Stop knocking yourself or I’ll have to kill you off . . . in one of my books, of course. ;)

]]> By: Allison http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/11/30/nine-marks-for-a-bestselling-author/#comment-16948 Allison Fri, 01 Dec 2006 07:09:38 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=332#comment-16948 Hey Mark, I knew I liked you for a reason! (You agree with me!) LOL. You are SOOO right about unpublished writers stressing too much about marketing. I'm so glad I was naive when I started writing in my own little world. I'll admit that I do now think of stories as how marketable they are, or how to make my IDEA marketable. And I agree that authors are by and large the least hostile group of competitive people I've ever met. I think because we know so much is out of our control . . . Yeah, Nat, that fairy dust . . . no control over THAT one. That's the luck factor. You can always hang Tinkerbell over your computer . . . Spy, I didn't know you were on that list too! LOL. Small world. I get mad because some of my good friend write category and write it well. It's a strong market and they're making money. I know several category writers who make a good living telling stories, and if they weren't good at it they wouldn't still be doing it! Yeah, it's hard to pick a favorite, but you and I have A LOT in common! LOL. Hey Mark, I knew I liked you for a reason! (You agree with me!) LOL.

You are SOOO right about unpublished writers stressing too much about marketing. I’m so glad I was naive when I started writing in my own little world. I’ll admit that I do now think of stories as how marketable they are, or how to make my IDEA marketable. And I agree that authors are by and large the least hostile group of competitive people I’ve ever met. I think because we know so much is out of our control . . .

Yeah, Nat, that fairy dust . . . no control over THAT one. That’s the luck factor. You can always hang Tinkerbell over your computer . . .

Spy, I didn’t know you were on that list too! LOL. Small world. I get mad because some of my good friend write category and write it well. It’s a strong market and they’re making money. I know several category writers who make a good living telling stories, and if they weren’t good at it they wouldn’t still be doing it!

Yeah, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but you and I have A LOT in common! LOL.

]]> By: spyscribbler http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/11/30/nine-marks-for-a-bestselling-author/#comment-16934 spyscribbler Fri, 01 Dec 2006 03:08:56 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=332#comment-16934 *cringe* I saw that, too, Allison. I think the gist was, category sucks, but self-published rocks. Me, I love category. I love reading a whole book in one sitting, and these days, I need to turn to shorter forms. There's only so much time in a day! I posted this list on my computer a few days ago. Rules to live by! They're even better broken down and explained! I don't know if I agree about the pressure, but that's just me. The first few novellas I wrote, I had the worst time stressing out about deadlines. And I really struggled with writing while I was thinking, "ohmigod, I have to write this. We need the money!" I would even freeze, at times. Then I learned to write under that pressure, and nothing, so far, has been as bad. I'm not NY, so I don't count, but ... it seems like now all I have to focus on is making <i>me</i> better. Favorite ... please, does it have to be just one? Nora Roberts and Stephen King because they kick ass, their writing (especially the characters) rock, and they work hard, day in and day out. I respect the hell out of them. Neil Gaiman, John Irving, Barry Eisler ... *cringe* I saw that, too, Allison. I think the gist was, category sucks, but self-published rocks. Me, I love category. I love reading a whole book in one sitting, and these days, I need to turn to shorter forms. There’s only so much time in a day!

I posted this list on my computer a few days ago. Rules to live by! They’re even better broken down and explained!

I don’t know if I agree about the pressure, but that’s just me. The first few novellas I wrote, I had the worst time stressing out about deadlines. And I really struggled with writing while I was thinking, “ohmigod, I have to write this. We need the money!” I would even freeze, at times. Then I learned to write under that pressure, and nothing, so far, has been as bad. I’m not NY, so I don’t count, but … it seems like now all I have to focus on is making me better.

Favorite … please, does it have to be just one? Nora Roberts and Stephen King because they kick ass, their writing (especially the characters) rock, and they work hard, day in and day out. I respect the hell out of them. Neil Gaiman, John Irving, Barry Eisler …

]]> By: Natalie http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/11/30/nine-marks-for-a-bestselling-author/#comment-16923 Natalie Fri, 01 Dec 2006 02:05:30 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=332#comment-16923 Allison, I loved this post. It really nails it. Except for the missing fairy dust, of course.... We aren't always going to be comfortable with every aspect of the business, but if you follow the CORE concepts, which I think you have listed, you have done ALL you can do. Allison, I loved this post. It really nails it. Except for the missing fairy dust, of course….

We aren’t always going to be comfortable with every aspect of the business, but if you follow the CORE concepts, which I think you have listed, you have done ALL you can do.

]]> By: Mark Terry http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/11/30/nine-marks-for-a-bestselling-author/#comment-16910 Mark Terry Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:49:36 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=332#comment-16910 I think this is a terrific post. I really like your rational approach to the marketing question, one in which I essentially agree with you (which may be why I like it). I also feel all too often these days that unpublished writers are spending more time thinking about how to market and promote work that hasn't been published yet instead of learning how to write work that can be published. I've had the opportunity to interview quite a number of bestselling authors when I was writing reviews and author profiles for The Oakland Press and one of the things I've noticed is how all of them are very aware of the business aspects of publishing, how aware they are of the other writers on the NYTBS list (and although competitive, they don't seem to be hostile about it at all), and how much thought goes into thinking about their projects not just as art and stories, but as stories that they expect TO DO A SPECIFIC THING. Here's an example. I interviewed John Sandford, author of the Lucas Davenport "Prey" novels and I mentioned that I had a novel coming out (now out, THE DEVIL'S PITCHFORK) that dealt with bioterrorism. He started talking about an idea he had for a bioterrorism story and how he was really intrigued by the idea, but it had a big problem--he didn't know how to write it in a suspenseful way because it dealt with agricultural bioterrorism. Sandford was savvy enough to realize that it would take a lot of thought and work to be able to write a story in which terrorists want to wipe out, say, the U.S. potato crop, in a way that would be exciting and have them give a damn. In real life, would we care? Yeah, your McDonald's french fries would cost about $40 because the taters would have to be imported from France and the U.S. economy would take a big hit, but HOW THE HELL DO YOU MAKE THAT INTO GOOD FICTION? And I feel sometimes that THAT is the biggest commonality among bestsellers: they're looking for THEIR particular story to be A particular TYPE of story. Best, Mark Terry www.markterrybooks.com I think this is a terrific post. I really like your rational approach to the marketing question, one in which I essentially agree with you (which may be why I like it). I also feel all too often these days that unpublished writers are spending more time thinking about how to market and promote work that hasn’t been published yet instead of learning how to write work that can be published.

I’ve had the opportunity to interview quite a number of bestselling authors when I was writing reviews and author profiles for The Oakland Press and one of the things I’ve noticed is how all of them are very aware of the business aspects of publishing, how aware they are of the other writers on the NYTBS list (and although competitive, they don’t seem to be hostile about it at all), and how much thought goes into thinking about their projects not just as art and stories, but as stories that they expect TO DO A SPECIFIC THING.

Here’s an example. I interviewed John Sandford, author of the Lucas Davenport “Prey” novels and I mentioned that I had a novel coming out (now out, THE DEVIL’S PITCHFORK) that dealt with bioterrorism. He started talking about an idea he had for a bioterrorism story and how he was really intrigued by the idea, but it had a big problem–he didn’t know how to write it in a suspenseful way because it dealt with agricultural bioterrorism.

Sandford was savvy enough to realize that it would take a lot of thought and work to be able to write a story in which terrorists want to wipe out, say, the U.S. potato crop, in a way that would be exciting and have them give a damn. In real life, would we care? Yeah, your McDonald’s french fries would cost about $40 because the taters would have to be imported from France and the U.S. economy would take a big hit, but HOW THE HELL DO YOU MAKE THAT INTO GOOD FICTION?

And I feel sometimes that THAT is the biggest commonality among bestsellers: they’re looking for THEIR particular story to be A particular TYPE of story.

Best,
Mark Terry
http://www.markterrybooks.com

]]> By: Allison http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/11/30/nine-marks-for-a-bestselling-author/#comment-16904 Allison Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:15:38 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=332#comment-16904 Karin Said: "I have so much respect for the Nora’s, Debbie Macomber’s, and all of the the other ladies who have made it and hung on to the top and are still decent human beings." Amen, sister. Jen, I need to read JR Ward. I know it. I need time. Did I tell you I was judging the Thrillers? You don't want to know how many books I'll be reading after I turn in FEAR next week. Suffice it to say, I need to buy another bookshelf. Karin Said: “I have so much respect for the Nora’s, Debbie Macomber’s, and all of the the other ladies who have made it and hung on to the top and are still decent human beings.”

Amen, sister.

Jen, I need to read JR Ward. I know it. I need time. Did I tell you I was judging the Thrillers? You don’t want to know how many books I’ll be reading after I turn in FEAR next week. Suffice it to say, I need to buy another bookshelf.

]]> By: Karin http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/11/30/nine-marks-for-a-bestselling-author/#comment-16903 Karin Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:03:35 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=332#comment-16903 Sigh, I have a headache thinking about all of the peripherals required in this business today. Why does there have to be so much crap to deal with? Why can't we just write and interact with fans, the backbone of our success? That griping aside, the list is right on, maybe out of order as you made note of A, but right on. It's a wonder I haven't started smoking again. Well, I do when I hang out with a certain author's mom, but dayum, this business is so complicated, and requires such a Herculean effort at every turn, no wonder so many good authors drop out of the game. I have so much respect for the Nora's, Debbie Macomber's, and all of the the other ladies who have made it and hung on to the top and are still decent human beings. Sigh, I have a headache thinking about all of the peripherals required in this business today. Why does there have to be so much crap to deal with? Why can’t we just write and interact with fans, the backbone of our success?
That griping aside, the list is right on, maybe out of order as you made note of A, but right on.

It’s a wonder I haven’t started smoking again. Well, I do when I hang out with a certain author’s mom, but dayum, this business is so complicated, and requires such a Herculean effort at every turn, no wonder so many good authors drop out of the game. I have so much respect for the Nora’s, Debbie Macomber’s, and all of the the other ladies who have made it and hung on to the top and are still decent human beings.

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