A Rose by Any Other Name

M.J. Rose doesn’t hesitate when queried on her definition of the term “thriller.” Nor should she, considering that, as one of the founding members and driving forces behind the International Thriller Writers association, she’s had plenty of opportunity to ponder that very question.

But then, Rose isn’t an author who is known for her retiring ways or shortages of opinion--something she demonstrates yet again in an interview posted today in January Magazine. And along with thoughts on self-publishing, the state of the industry, and the origin of her name, Rose offers these words for new novelists:

Write because you love to write, because you have to write, because you are burning to write and want to get better and want to learn and have passion for books. Only half of one per cent of all writers make it on the first book. Don’t go into this if you are looking for a quick hit.

Rose has been popping up everywhere lately while she promotes her latest book, The Reincarnationist, which came out on September 1 in hardcover. Look for her when she guest blogs at the Powell’s Books site all next week.