How I Write

September 1, 2006
Much of the advice Evanovich offers here can be found in numerous sources. What you can't find in most writers' guides is her inimitable voice and a wealth of examples taken from her wildly popular series starring the intrepid bounty-hunter Stephanie Plum. Cowriter Yalof covers some of the basics, but the draw here, naturally, is Evanovich's commentary, along with answers to questions readers have sent to her Web site. (When asked how to get over the embarrassment inherent in writing sex scenes, Evanovich notes she finds "a couple of glasses of cheap champagne and a bucketful of M&Ms to be helpful, but, hey, that's just me.") Along with substantial advice about point of view, exposition, and dialogue, fans get behind-the-scenes info about the Plum novels (Evanovich blew up a car in her first book because she wanted to sell it to the movies, and she had so much fun that she has been blowing them up ever since). Despite the best-selling author's willingness to share how she does it, readers shouldn't expect the same results. Not many can find the right combination of laugh-out-loud high jinks and ingeniously wrought thrills.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)