'Silver Boat' Author Luanne Rice on How to Write a Best-Seller

By Nicki Gostin Posted May 8th 2011 03:00PM

'The Silver Boat: A Novel,' is get this, the 29th book from the extremely prolific author Luanne Rice. Twenty-two of them have been New York Times best sellers and five of them have been turned into movies starring people like Holly Hunter, Julia Ormond, Rob Lowe and Bill Pullman (the last two are good friends of hers). When she's not busy putting pen to paper Rice works in conjunction with Georgetown University Law Center's Domestic Violence Clinic. It's a cause that's very dear to her heart as she's a survivor of domestic abuse herself. She only has kind words to say about all the stars she's worked with, "I've had so many dream casts," and doesn't have a bad word to say about anyone. "If we were having a drink I might spill everything but it still would mostly be good - I'm too nice." While on a book tour Rice took some time out to give budding scribes some tips on how to write a best-seller.

1. First of all write. I mean that seriously. Sit in a chair and actually write, don't just think about writing or talk about it, just actually do it. Do it steadily everyday no matter what. Just think about writing one page at a time and before you know it the pages accumulate really quickly especially when you have the characters in motion.

2. Don't think about what your mother is going to think about your writing or your husband or your first grade teacher because if you do you'll be censoring yourself and that is extremely harmful to writing, You end up kind of censoring your best stuff before you even get it out. I always think of keeping it between yourself and the page.

3. If you get stuck or you're not sure where it's going and if it's worth it or not, it's always fun to cast your books for the movies. Hopefully you've created really believable, vibrant, rich and full characters. It's a fun and helpful way to give yourself a shot in the arm.

4. There's nothing wrong with enjoying books like 'Sweet Valley High.' I read Nancy Drew when I was younger. As long as it's a good story that you want to turn the page and find out what happens. It's not necessary to judge whether something is good for you. If you enjoy reading it, it's fantastic.

5. Eat Chocolate: One of my favorite places to write in is Shutters on the Beach Hotel in Santa Monica. They have this one candy bar that's incredibly addictive. It's dark chocolate with salt in it. I believe they make me a better writer!

Tags: Luanne Rice

Comments

(10)

Sunday 08 May

By J

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Oh, brother. Thanks for the writing tips, Gidget.

By Mike

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Man, what terrible tips. Only #1 is helpful, and quite obvious. Here's a tip: Stop giving tips.

By JBaer

Oh yeah--like it's that simple to write a novel, let alone a bestseller. I wish Ms. Rice hung out with me while I tried to write a book. Sheesh...

Monday 09 May

By Jean

Great advice. Sometimes the best advice is the simplest and the most straightforward.

By JoeJoBEE

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Kate Hudson is finished as far as an actress, another box office bomb! shes the NEW jennifer annalston. Thank you that she did NOT win the Oscar. What a travesty that would of been. Worse enough that they GAVE it to Natalie Munchkin

By BTDT

Follow tip #1, ignore 2,3,4 & 5.

By E

Yeah, we can scoff at the "tips" but, ultimately, the woman has written 29 novels and earns a living doing something she loves. She must know something about writing!

Other than "eat chocolate" (because that would not be good for my waistline), I think the other 4 tips are quite helpful. #1 goes without saying, you'd think, but #2 is pretty powerful.

By Bob Carver

Better, read Stephen King's "On Writing" -- best book for aspiring writers bar none.

By Ryan

Step 1: Put a million monkeys behind a million typewriters.

Step 2: Be extremely patient

Step 3: ?

By R

if you seriously get your writing tips from popeater.....
that said, i like the positive attitude here and the 'just do it' mentality. i've read her books and think they're smart, and emotionally insightful.

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