[MOD-APRYL] Author Note: Stephanie Gertler plans to complete her Master's in Criminal Psychology/Criminal Justice
[MOD-CINDY] Go ahead, Peanut
[peanut] Out of the 7-9 hours a day of writing, how many usable pages do you end up coming away with?
[SGertler] Just about all - but I edit them as I go along. I would say roughly a dozen pages for the day. I used to be a newspaper editor so I have this habit of going over and over what I write. The worst thing a writer can do is be married to her words - sometimes you have to let them go...
[mallory] ?
[MOD-APRYL] Go ahead with your question Mallory
[mallory] How long does it take you to complete a novel?
[SGertler] It took 15 months for Jimmy's Girl because I was working for newspapers and magazines-- freelance. About nine months for PBTree -- about a year for Drifting (the third) -- Drifting is very complex -- lots of research...
[SGertler] I wrote Jimmy's Girl in the middle of the night every night!
[LadyBug] ?
[MOD-CINDY] Earlier, you said that it's imperative to have an agent...why do you think so?
[SGertler] Publishers really don't look at your mss. without an agent -- and the agent knows where to send the ms. It's also good when you get down to negotiations. We writers are artists! We lack the backbone for nitty gritty negotiations!!
[MOD-CINDY] Ladybug, please go ahead.
[LadyBug] I read that you also write a column. How did you get into that line of work?
[SGertler] I was working for a paper in CT and they had a newspaper ...I suggested a lifestyles column and they picked it up. I love this column. It's nonfiction - bits and pieces of my life and therefore everyone's life -- husband, work, kids, friends, fantasy -- it's very cathartic...
[TheWord] ?
[MOD-CINDY] Go ahead, Word!
[TheWord] Will you ever write crime or mystery/thriller books with your background in criminal psychology/justice?
[SGertler] I don't have the background yet - that's why I want to take the master's - crime/law fascinates me...I always want to write books about people and emotions but with the potential background I will try to integrate the two....
[MOD-APRYL] * * * If you have a question for Ms. Gertler, simply type a question mark, such as ? You will be recognized when it's your turn so please have your question ready. * * *
[wbjr7] Whew...finally here!
[SGertler] Oh, good!
[BAMAman] ?
[wbjr7] ?
[MOD-CINDY] Go ahead, Bamaman!
[BAMAman] Where would you like to see your writing career go in the future?
[SGertler] FAR!! I love to write. I just hope I can continue to write books -- I love the reader feedback, the expression, the self-expression...it's really my drug
[MOD-CINDY] Go ahead, wbjr7
[MOD-APRYL] Author Note: Gertler is the mother of three children, ages 19, 18 and 15. The oldest are now in college.
[BAMAman] ?
[wbjr7] Hey Stephanie, you must forgive me...VERY new at this. However...I'm curious as to once the book is written and in the publisher's hands, how much control do you have on the final?
[SGertler] I have a wonderful editor - we hash things out and end up agreeing in strange ways - I take her position and then she takes mine -- we are very much in sync - so it really isn't an issue when it comes to control -- she's imaginative and insightful - again, I am very fortunate
[wbjr7] Sounds like a real meeting of the minds relationship...and it seems to be working beautifully.
[SGertler] It is -- and now that I handed Drifting in yesterday I'm already realizing where I have to edit and revise....wish I'd thought of it on Tuesday! 
[MOD-CINDY] Go ahead, Bamaman
[BAMAman] How much of your own promotion do you have to do or did you hire a publicist?
[wbjr7] ?
[MOD-CINDY] ****We will be closing the floor to questions in five minutes, so please, if you have any questions, speak now. **
[SGertler] I hired a publicist for The PB Tree -- the first book was in-house. As for promotion, I have learned that you have to be self-promoting but as far as setting up real events, the publicists do that -- but you have to get yourself OUT THERE and not be shy. It's tough.
[FictionFan] ?
[MOD-CINDY] Go ahead, Fiction Fan.
[FictionFan] Is there anything you would advise writers to *not* do when it comes to writing?
[wbjr7] ?
[MOD-CINDY] Go ahead, wbjr7.
[SGertler] Just do what comes from the heart. Don't try to write the way you wouldn't speak or tell a story - be natural. And be honest.
[SGertler] When I taught kids a few weeks ago I made them write their stories as though they were telling a friend - it's storytelling. Pretend you're by the hearth...
[MOD-APRYL] * * * The floor is now closed for questions. * * *
[SGertler] Thank you everyone for coming. I look forward to meeting all of you again.
[wbjr7] Ta-Ta
[Nessie] Thank you for answering my questions
[MOD-CINDY] * * * A very special thanks to author Stephanie Gertler for sharing her insight and expertise with us today. * * *
[BAMAman] yes thanks
[SGertler] The hour flew by - thank YOU!
[MOD-APRYL] * * * A transcript of this chat will be available in the Industry Interviews section of FictionAddiction.NET: http://interviews.FictionAddiction.NET * * *
[MOD-CINDY] It was a pleasure meeting both Stephanie and her friends! It's so good when friends support authors.
[peanut] Wishing you lots of success
[MOD-CINDY] * * * Thanks once again to author Stephanie Gertler for being here. You can pick up her novels, Jimmy’s Girl and The Puzzle Bark Tree at your favorite bookstore or visit FictionAddiction.NET's emporium:http://FictionAddiction.NET/emporium.html
[TheWord] thx for the opportunity to talk with such an accomplished author - good night!
[SGertler] Friends are THE BEST. Thank you all for fun questions -- and I wish you all the best and goodnight. As I tell my kids, I hope all your dreams come true
