My second novel THE
DEAD ROOM had just been published, and Left Coast Crime was meeting in
Pasadena, California that year. I lived in Los Angeles at the time, and one of
my favorite authors, Robert Crais, had signed on to chair the event. To be
honest, I'm always a bit on edge at these kinds of things. I love meeting and speaking
with fans at book signings, and I get an even bigger kick out of meeting with
book clubs because everybody has read the book and we can talk about the ending
without spoiling the read. But at a big conference, I'm always a bit uneasy. |
| T. Jefferson Parker |
I was standing in the
hallway after doing my first panel discussion, and T. Jefferson Parker (another
favorite) had just stepped out of the second conference room. I must have looked
anxious because he walked right over and shook my hand. T. Jefferson Parker is
one of those kind of people who you know at first glance is just a great guy.
We started talking, and one thing led to another until he said, "I like to
keep things easy. It's one page at a time."
 |
| John Ford |
I smiled and nodded,
his words triggering several thoughts and memories at the same time. The basic
rules of writing a scene according to one of the best film directors who ever
lived, John Ford. Keeping things simple. One idea, one thought, one scene or
chapter. Never two things. Always, always, one. And if that one idea isn't
essential to the plot or character, get rid of it. One chapter, one idea,
pushing the story forward until they all add up. That's keeping things easy.
That's one page at a time.
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