I’m less than 10k words into the new book and feeling antsy. So much about achieving success as an indie writer is about having books out and available. I need to remind myself that writing a good book is also equally important even if it doesn’t feel like it all the time. The most overlooked and underappreciated growth strategy is patience and consistency. Sit down and write every day. No shortcuts there.

Here are 3 crime fiction links, 2 quotes, and 1 question for this week:

 

3 LINKS

• CrimeReads picks their top 5 female detectives. Personally, off the top of my head, I’d add Tess Monaghan, Alice Vega or Dana Scully.

• At Amazon Book Review, Louise Penny chats about leaving Quebec, Gamache in Paris, origin stories, planning ahead, and comfort zones. Going to back to Three Pines each year is like dipping your toes into a warm bath.
  

• The NYTs has a… wide ranging profile (in the Style section) on Dan Brown, his new (but actually old) children’s album, the messy divorce, his quarantine time, and the next Langdon.

 

2 QUOTES

Two quotes from Louise Penny this week:

• “The four sayings that lead to wisdom:
  I was wrong
  I’m sorry
  I don’t know
  I need help”
• “I think many people love their problems. Gives them all sorts of excuses for not growing up and getting on with life.”

 

1 QUESTION

• September means the publishing industry is back from its summer holiday and about to start pumping out new books. What new fall book are you looking forward to most? Personally, I’m interested to see how the Child brothers collaboration works and what it means for the future of the Reacher series.
  

 

Until next Thursday, happy reading,

Mike

Author the Max Strong thriller series