Gerry Schmidt, author of Shadow Girl, is here to talk about what it's like to write multiple series and there is a Rafflecopter giveaway at the end. Gerry writes four - FOUR! - series, three cozy mystery series under the name Laura Childs, and one thriller series, under her own name. Wow. Let's learn a little about how Gerry does it.
I’ve got a lot on my plate these days. I write the Afton Tangler Thriller series under my real name of Gerry Schmitt. And under the pen name of Laura Childs I write the New York Times bestselling Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries.
Why on earth am I doing this to myself, you might ask? Well, pretty much everyone’s in favor of me writing as many books as I can handle. My editor, agent, husband, dogs, cleaning lady, beneficiaries in my will, etc. And coming from an advertising/marketing background as I did, I’m used to pounding out ideas to meet tight deadlines. Writing novels is a very similar endeavor – you develop a concept, write it, and then market it.
But these days my daily schedule is very, very tight. So I try very hard to be more productive in less time – that is, my main goal is always to write ten or twelve pages per day for four days, then work on marketing and promotion for a couple of days. It’s kind of like that famous quote by Curt Carlson, the founder of Radisson Hotels. He said, “I try to stay even with my competitors Monday through Friday, then get the jump on them Saturday and Sunday.”
I’m also phenomenally lucky because I never get lethargy and I never get blocked. Fact is, I don’t really believe in these things. When you’re in the media business (novels, journalism, TV, whatever) you have to be like the shark – just keep moving forward!
But, seriously, if you’re a budding author you can apply this strategy, too. You just have to focus and, most importantly, do your homework.
Do you really think publishers are chomping at the bit for another culinary mystery? How about a vampire story? No, I can tell you they’re not. So find something nobody else has done and put a big fat spin on it. Also, try to write a few pages every day and work straight through. Never go back and revise your manuscript until it is completely finished. Chances are, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you end up with. Okay, it’s finally done? You’re closing in on 300 pages? NOW go back and punch up your work like crazy – ratchet up the action and human drama, make your characters loveable or despicable. And do have fun!
Author Bio:
Gerry Schmitt is the author of the just-released novel Shadow Girl, the second book in her Afton Tangler Thriller series. Under the pen name Laura Childs, she is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbooking Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In Gerry’s previous life she was CEO of her own marketing firm, authored several screenplays, and produced a reality TV show.
Gerry is here on a Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. Here are the other stops on the Tour:
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
July 31 - Valerie's Musings - REVIEW, INTERVIEW
July 31 - Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT
August 1 - Varietats2010 - REVIEW
August 2 – Mystery Playground – GUEST POST
August 2 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW
August 3 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
August 3 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW
August 4 – Bookworm Cafe - REVIEW
August 5 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW
August 5 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW
August 6 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW
August 7 – The Editing Pen – GUEST POST
August 7 – I Wish I Lived in a Library – REVIEW
August 8 – My Reading Journey - REVIEW
August 9 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 10 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST
August 11 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW
August 12 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW
August 12 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW
August 13 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 13 – I Read What You Write - REVIEW
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Impressive author, creative, and smart. I enjoyed this post and would love to rad this novel. I read the first one which was extremely well written and clever.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, I really enjoyed writing both Afton Tangler novels. The thriller genre was a fun way to stretch my writing skills.
ReplyDeleteGerry Schmitt
Four series? That is a lot to juggle. I'm glad you're able to do it. We readers can never get enough.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the insights! Very interesting!
ReplyDelete