I am very pleased to be part of eBooks and the twenty-first century. For many years, I resisted being part of the web, happily pounding out my books on an old IBM double drive DOS system computer. I still have it somewhere and I’m sure it works just fine. In the changeable world of electronics, it is now considered an antique. The thing was an absolute workhorse and refused to die. I finally had to give it up when the year 2000 came rolling along. I was afraid of Y2K problems.
Remember that phrase? Y2K?
Anyway, my newest computer is fast, efficient, is hooked up to DSL and has lots of fancy features. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help me write any better. There is no substitute for time and care and hard work. I’ve written books with paper and pencil, I’ve written books on the latest of equipment. What determines the quality of the manuscript has nothing to do with gadgets, but everything to do with creativity, perseverance, dedication, long hours and a little serendipitous luck. It has to do with caring about my characters and trying to write a suspenseful, multilayered plot.
STONE KISS was inspired by a desire to change the locale for my series detective and by my love of New York. I’ve visited the city many times and on each occasion I’ve come away with ideas and inspiration. And how can you not, with the multitude of people living in such tight quarters? This is my second book with Decker in New York and it worked so well the first time, I thought… well, why not?
