The Full Rainbow of Experience That Is the Writing Life.

Wild Nights in NYC, Quiet Days at My Desk, and Characters Who Need Strangling.

Jun 20, 2023

Happy Summer! Hope it is in full swing for you, with lots of days reading on the beach, heading out on vacation, or just lazing around in the back yard. Even if you’re working every day like I am, there’s a definite vibe to summer, isn’t there? It’s already hot, hot, hot here in Florida. But I’m staying cool, hard at work on the next book, while still trying to enjoy the season. As usual, I’m a busy bee with lots to share so I’ll get right to it!

ThrillerFest:

Omg. ThrillerFest in NYC! If you were there, you know. It was a whirlwind of amazing panels and classes, interviews, evenings out, lots of laughs with friends old and new, a fabulous awards banquet and much more. I am so honored to be the co-president of International Thriller Writers (ITW) and proud of what the organization has done and continues to do for authors at every stage of their careers. Here are some fun pics from our wonderful event below:

Wanda Morris, S.A. Cosby, and Sasha Rothchild — Wanda Morris, S.A. Cosby, Sasha Rothchild

Joe Finder, Lynne Constantine, Mark Greaney, Jennifer Hillier, Hannah Mary McKinnon, Lisa Gardner, Kalisha Buckhanon, Walter Mosley — Joe Finder, Lynn Constantine, Mark Greaney, Jennifer Hillier, Hannah Mary McKinnon, Lisa Gardner, Kalisha Buckhanon, Walter Mosley

R.L. Stine, Mark Edwards, Sara DiVello, D.J. Palmer, Clare Mackintosh

Stage selfie during my co-president’s address at the ITW Awards banquet.

The great Walter Mosley who was one of our ThrillerMaster Award recipients along with the inimitable Charlaine Harris, had some kind words to say about our organization in Publishers Weekly:

Despite his already crowded shelf of awards, being named ThrillerMaster has special import for Mosley. “It is a sublime honor to be recognized by your peers,” Mosley says. “ThrillerFest is a professional event that pays attention to all writers—from the seasoned master to the first-book writer to those who have yet to pen their first novel. This organization offers solace and hope to all of us, and because of that I am honored to be recognized by them. America has experienced a many-centuries drought when it comes recognizing people of color, and in this way this award shows a desire by the larger world to move on from the business of exclusion that has been the mainstay of our culture. There are many other writers out there that need such recognition.”

And another nice mention by Publishers Weekly:

ITW co-president Lisa Unger, whose career took her from publicity assistant at Avon/Morrow to bestselling author, also highlighted ITW’s commitment to opening doors to new voices with new perspectives.

It was the full rainbow of experience that is the writing life.

What I’m wrestling with:

How, as writers, do we define success?

I had so many deep conversations with author pals at ThrillerFest. One of the most interesting and I think important things about the conference is that it includes authors at every stage in their career. I had sit-downs with some of the most successful writers in the industry, some folks just starting out, and others at different stages on the path. The conversations were generally the same — concerns about sales, how much time to spend on social media, what makes one a “real” writer, how to navigate the changing industry, whether or not artificial intelligence is going to take our jobs. You name it, we talked about it.

Some people were on the cusp of publishing books that promised to be big bestsellers. Other equally talented people were shopping manuscripts that had been turned down by their publishers. Others were concerned about sales not being what they hoped in books that had recently hit shelves. Some were basking in the glow of recent rave reviews, big publicity events, and award wins. It was the full rainbow of experience that is the writing life.

I guess the takeaway for me is that there is no one way to write a novel, no one definition of success. It seems that no one ever feels like a “real” writer, and everyone thinks that someone else is doing it better. On a panel, a wildly successful author revealed that she never felt like she was “doing it right” because she needed to outline extensively. To her, real authors didn’t need to do that. (Which is funny, because I know plenty of writers who think that outlining is the only way to write a book!) The truth is this, the only “real” way to write a book is to sit down and write it, no matter how you do it. The only way to define your success as a writer is if you are writing stories that you’re proud of, that mean something to you.

In my ITW co-president’s address, I talked about the things I know for sure about the writing life. It was a riff on an essay I wrote for Publishers Weekly Soapbox. There are quite a few things that I know for sure about writing and publishing. But for my writer pals, the most important thing to remember is this: You control next to nothing, except what you do at the keyboard. So, bring your best self, and the most of your energy, attention, and love to the writing. The rest may or may not fall into place, but at least you’ll be doing what you love.

I know the people in my story, all their flaws and gifts, and now is the moment when the momentum of their choices starts to take on a life of its own.

What I’m working on:

After all the amazing panels, and deep conversations with author pals, I’m feeling supercharged and inspired as I edge into the final third of the 2025 book. As most of you know, I write without an outline, have no idea who is going to show up day-to-day, or what they’re going to do. In fact, I write for the same reason that I read because I want to know what’s going to happen to the characters living in my head.

This is the stage where the book really starts to take shape for me in my mind. I know the people in my story, all their flaws and gifts, and now is the moment when the momentum of their choices starts to take on a life of its own. I’m in deep, trying to allow and not control outcome. There are some people I want to strangle in this book, and some I’m pulling for. But I love them all. I hope you will, too.

I just started writing a short story that will publish Halloween 2024. I’m really enjoying this one, but it’s too early to talk about. So stay tuned.

What I’m reading:

Chuck Wendig’s BLACK RIVER ORCHARD is an epic saga that is at once propulsive horror novel and parable, thriller and cautionary tale. Like the dark, red apples at the heart of this beautifully told, character rich, and utterly engrossing story, you’ll take one bite and won’t be able to stop yourself from devouring the rest.

I have loved all of Michael’s Koryta’s books and he’s at the top of his game in AN HONEST MAN. An expert at pitting man against nature, fully inhabiting all of his characters, and ratcheting up the suspense page by page, Koryta gets everything right, every time.

Karin Slaughter just keeps getting better and better. Will Trent and Sara Linton are back in AFTER THAT NIGHT. This is an explosive and twisty thrill ride with Slaughter’s signature perfect plotting, breathless pacing, and witty intelligence. Plan to pick it up and do nothing else until you’re done.

What I’m watching:

We stumbled on “Platonic” on Apple TV staring Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen. I am huge Rose Byrne fan and find her as ever smart, funny, and relatable in this series about a married woman and her unmarried male best friend, their various hijinks, relationship, and life issues. This is light, funny, and easy on the brain at the end of a long day.

We just started season six of “Black Mirror” one of my all-time favorite series, with its smart, speculative, near future vignettes. These stand-alone episodes will terrify you, make you think, and have you marveling at the creativity and dark brilliance of creator Charlie Brooker. This season focuses on all the nightmare scenario’s possible with AI. Something all writers everywhere are thinking about!

I am rewatching “Killing Eve’ starring Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer, based on the Villanelle novels by Luke Jennings (which I have not read but plan to). I watched this once before, years ago, and came across it again on Hulu. Does anybody else do this, rewatch shows they loved? Knowing what happens allows me to study character, plotting, and pacing in a different way. Even though it’s television, I find I learn things that inform important aspects of novel writing, as well.

What I’m listening to:

I haven’t been tuning in to as many podcasts lately because I’m using my gym time to listen to music. I have a long playlist that I’ve compiled over ages and it includes a wide range of songs — from U2 to Katy Perry, from David Bowie to Lady Gaga, from Madonna to Lizzo. I was finding that the more podcasts I listened to while working out, the less blank space I had for the creative wandering that happens when my body is working and my mind is quiet. But, a few perennial podcasts for me are:

Hidden Brain

, The Gathering Room, The TED Radio Hour, and The

Ezra Klein

Show. They all fuel my creativity and curiosity in different ways.

It occurred to me in that moment something that I’d long held to be true.

What I’m researching and thinking about:

I found this essay by Laura Dave, about the time she dumped a complete novel in the trash, immensely moving and interesting. My favorite takeaway line: It occurred to me in that moment something that I’d long held to be true. What makes us writers is as much what we throw out as what we keep.

Years ago, I took a concealed weapons class here in Florida. I did it for research and it taught me more about guns and the people who think they need them than I ever wanted to know. This essay pretty much sums it up.

As my daughter was growing up, we set very strict limits on gaming, devices, and social media. Not in a controlling way that limited her, but in the way of people who tried to teach their child the joyful habits of creating, seeing, being, and observing. As a creative and someone who talks about creativity quite a bit, I have urged writers — and children — to manage their time online for years. Here's why.

Where to find me:

October 19, 2023 at 5pm ET — Annual Book Club Meetup.

I’m thrilled to announce my first Annual Book Club Meetup! On October 19, the folks at Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg Florida will host a happy hour gathering for book clubs to discuss SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX — releasing in trade-paperback on August 15. Join us live at 5pm ET for drinks, appetizers, a lively discussion, giveaways and prizes. If your group can’t make it in person, no problem. You can also join us via Zoom. Register now.