Gordon Greisman: Discipline Is Crucial
Gordon Greisman is a screenwriter and producer. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for the NBC miniseries “Drug Wars: The Cocaine Cartel” and a Producer’s Guild Award for his adaptation of Jonathan Mahler’s “The Bronx Is Burning.” He has also created a television series for Fox and written and produced TV movies for NBC and ABC. Follow him on X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
Gordon Greisman
In this post, Gordon discusses the surprises in the writing process of his debut mystery novel, The Devil’s Daughter, his advice for other writers, and more!
Name: Gordon Greisman
Literary agent: Adam Chromy
Book title: The Devil’s Daughter
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Release date: January 23, 2024
Genre/category: Mystery / Detective Noir
Elevator pitch: In Jack Coffey’s 1957 New York, nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted—not even an innocent teenage girl.
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What prompted you to write this book?
The idea for The Devil’s Daughter has been rolling around in my head for some time. The 1950s in Manhattan were both glamorous and dangerous. I began writing the novel during COVID. It took a little more than a year to finish. A deal with Blackstone was made a month or two later, but the pub date, which is January 23, was more than a year later.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
The story evolved and changed, first when I began doing research into the period. I had a solid notion of who my protagonist and who his love interest would be. But there were so many fascinating (and sometimes corrupt) personalities in that time, I decided to integrate them into the story as a part of the universe of characters. The dynamics between those characters and the array of fictional characters resonated and ramified throughout the time I spent writing.
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
The Devil’s Daughter is my debut novel. Although I’ve been a working screenwriter for a long time and know the ins and outs of Hollywood, I’m new to publishing. Most everything is a learning moment. To be honest, I’ve been very lucky. The folks at Blackstone have been wonderfully supportive.
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
There are always surprises. Writing, when it’s going well, takes on its own dynamic. Often, I feel like I’m following the narrative. The story pushes me in unexpected directions with unexpected outcomes. It’s what I love most about being a writer.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
Mostly, I hope my readers will enjoy the ride. I think of myself as a storyteller, and I want them to come with me to exciting and provocative places.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
The only real advice I have to give to other writers is be disciplined. If you can, write every day even if it’s only for a few minutes. Discipline is crucial. It not only provides structure to your life and work, but feeds the imagination.
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