Passion, Process and Plot Twists: Writing Tips from Robert Crais

Plus, discover 10 screenwriting tips for novelists. [Web Version »]( &p1=%40NRr2tSHfcRR5DrpMoeCkon4Icbu3%2Fc6Klxj2sLkflw8%3D) [header]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [Name]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [Fired Up: Robert Crais on Passion, Process and Plot Twists]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [Story 1]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) Robert Crais, master of crime writing, makes modern classics the old-fashioned way -- with a heartfelt passion, a fine-tuned process and, naturally, a twist. Don't miss his talk at the 2018 [Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference]( ) in Pasadena, CA, October 26–28! Write what you love to read: The advice, oft-touted, sounds simple enough. But few embody this approach as successfully as Robert Crais, whose slickly plotted, toughtalking, wisecracking crime novels continue to prove worthy of comparison to the hard-boiled classics he cut his teeth on -- while showcasing a style that still manages to be his own. An Emmy Award–nominated writer for "Hill Street Blues," "Cagney & Lacey" and "Miami Vice," in the mid-'80s Crais traded in his lucrative TV credits for his dream of having a spot on bookshelves. He put his own team on the case, and Los Angeles private eye Elvis Cole and his partner, Joe Pike, have been collecting fans since their introduction in The Monkey's Raincoat, which won the 1988 Anthony and Macavity awards and was nominated for an Edgar. They've starred in 16 of Crais' 20 novels to date, making their author a No. 1 New York Times bestseller and Mystery Writers of America Grand Master. His latest, The Promise, new in paperback earlier this year, pairs Pike and Cole with the stars of his 2013 bestseller Suspect, LAPD cop Scott James and his K-9 partner. A 17th in the series was released in early 2017. How his writing has evolved along the way -- and what we can all learn from it -- is, like many things in the writing life, best described by the author. You've talked about your 1999 hit L.A. Requiem as a turning point in your career. What in your approach and perspective changed at that point? I grew up as a crime-fiction junkie. I write in this field because I grew up reading in this field... You grew up in a family of law enforcement, too, correct? In my family there are I think now five generations of police officers. Th at may not be in reality how it sounds -- it's not like growing up in a TV show -- but the true benefit for me, I think, was in seeing police officers as human beings, and understanding who they are in real life. That gave me an appreciation for the nuance of their characters in detail that hopefully I've brought to the characters of my novels. ... And the first seven books were written in the style of the traditional American detective novel: first-person point of view of the detective, everything is seen through the detective's eyes, because I thought that's what you're supposed to do. But as I wrote them, I began to feel constrained by that limitation. I wanted to tell stories that were broader than one could tell frozen in that traditional pattern. So by the time I got to No. 8, which was L.A. Requiem, I just decided to take out the jams and combine all the different types of crime fiction and thriller fiction that I like to read. It wasn't an easy decision. I'd had this traditional approach [that was] proving to be pretty popular. Part of me was saying, You're about to shoot yourself in the foot. But I felt strongly that I could tell the stories I wanted to tell if I expanded the canvas. I brought in points of view of other characters, cut from good guys to bad guys, did the flashback thing, and was still so unsure that when I sent it to my agent, I told him, “If the publisher hates it, I'll give the money back.” Luckily, it worked out. I've had this saying I've used forever as a self-motivator, a little sign in my office that says, Trust the talent. What that means to me is, when you're at your darkest moments and you think you're writing the worst thing that's ever been written, and it's going to be a failure, you just want to give up and go to Madrid, the best thing you can do is simply give yourself over to your instincts. [Read More...]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) Advertisement [MFA Web Banners ]( ) New Writers Wanted – Join These “Behind the Scenes” Freelancers Every day, we work with writers who've discovered the freedom that freelance writing offers… and help them navigate all the well-paid writing opportunities available today to find the ones best for them. You'll learn all about 9 of the best opportunities for writers in this report, "It's True: You Can Make a Very Good Living as a Writer." Ready to get started? [Click here and tell us where to send your free report.]( ) [Story 2]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [10 Screenwriting Techniques Every Writer Can Employ]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [Story 2]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) Writers thrive when we open our minds to new challenges and larger communities. Now more than ever do we eschew identifying exclusively as poets or screenwriters, novelists or journalists, bloggers or playwrights, but find ourselves writing in many mediums, across multiple platforms. Explore 10 screenwriting techniques every writer can employ. [Read More...]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [Reading, Breathing and the Long Sentence: How to Write Horror That Frightens Readers]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [Story 3]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) Learn how to write horror that will chill your readers to the bone using these techniques from Phil Athans' all-new Advanced Horror Workshop. [Read More...]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) Advertisement [ ) Unlock the potential of your manuscript! Helga Schier, PhD, published author and professional editor offers effective, personalized, constructive and comprehensive editorial services. Contact: withpenandpaper@verizon.net, [www.withpenandpaper.com]( ), 310.828.8421 [Story 4]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [The Writer’s Digest Podcast, Episode 9: Using Your Words for the Power of Good — Interview with Heather Graham]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) In this episode of the Writer's Digest Podcast, Heather Graham shares: Why writers need editors and editors need writers, tips to carve out time for your writing in your already busy life, the benefits of writing groups, and more. [Read More...]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [Story 5]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [Graphic Novel Best Practices: 4 Ways to Blend Text and Art to Create a Storyline]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [Story 5]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) If you're writing a graphic novel or a comic, you need to consider how your images and text work together to spin the story. Here are a few ways to play with combining words and pictures in sequential art from author-illustrator Whitney Gardner. [Read More...]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [Story 6]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [The Anatomy of a Book Cover: A Guide for Authors]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) Knowing and understanding the constituent parts of a book cover will help you make the best marketing decisions when you design or commission your own. [Read More...]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) &p1={EMAIL}&p2=136179685 &p1={EMAIL}&p2=136179685 &p1={EMAIL}&p2=136179685 [Name]( ) [Your Weekly Writing Prompt]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [wd-logo]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) Did You Hear That? As you likely know, onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to. Incorporate as many onomatopoetic words into a story or scene as you can. [Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments here ...]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) [Jess Zafarris]( &cid=DM75636&bid=768837935) Jess Zafarris Follow [@jesszafarris]( ) Jess Zafarris is an energetic multimedia journalist with more than 8 years of experience writing and editing, and the content director of Writer's Digest. Please do not reply to this email. We are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please [click here to contact us]( ). 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