Sunday, Nov. 01, 2009

Southeast author shares secrets to his success

Steve Berry showed his skeleton last week, not for Halloween, but to share how he writes best-sellers in homage to history.

Making his first visit to Myrtle Beach, the internationally published suspense novelist from southeast coastal Georgia started his writer's workshop and luncheon at Magnolia's at 26th Restaurant & Conference Center by breaking down a book into three acts. He likened it to a theater production, with a beginning, middle and end, characters and conflict that are developed together and the crucible that ensues.

Ballantine Books in New York has published seven Berry novels since 2003. Titles include "The Romanov Prophecy" and "The Charlemagne Pursuit."

While signing copies of books on the placemats before the luncheon, Berry said he had counted 85 rejections in his 12-year pursuit for publishing since he started writing manuscripts in 1990.

"In 2003, I was a lawyer who writes," he said. "In 2005, I'm a writer who practices law. In 2009, now I'm just a writer."

Berry makes room in his brain for three books at all times to keep his annual pace. He said besides having just finished his planned 2010 release, highlights for the 2011 book are moving to the forefront of his thoughts, and the plot for the 2012 adventure is breaking into the background.

During his 29 years in the legal profession, Berry started writing to escape the real world. With a daily grind centering on divorce and trial work, Berry turned to novels. What he liked to read equaled what he liked to write.

By injecting history into his books, Berry does homework, traveling to lay the groundwork for each novel. He spends six to nine months in preliminary research before writing.

"You have to bring history alive," he said. "It becomes more interesting to you."

Sitting with his legs crossed, Berry looked out a window across Ocean Boulevard, thinking about France, where his recurring character Cotton Malone turns up next, in "The Paris Vendetta," due for release Dec. 1.

He named the Basilique de St-Denis, north of Paris as his favorite place visited.

"It's even more magnificent than Notre-Dame," Berry said.

The accent on the past also drives another diversion for Berry: the History Matters Foundation, which he co-founded in June with wife, Elizabeth Berry. (Details at steveberry.org.)

He timed his workshop and luncheon, a benefit for the city of Myrtle Beach's Chapin Memorial Library and the foundation's debut event, with his keynote speech given last weekend at the S.C. Writers Workshop Annual Writers Conference in Myrtle Beach.

"This is such a generous act," said Cathy Wiggins, Chapin Library's director, grateful for the Magnolia's program proceeds that help the library's "Oral History" project preserve Grand Strand heritage.

"Myrtle Beach has a rich history that we need to tap into," Wiggins said.

Berry said around the world, historical preservation of buildings and artifacts faces ever-growing challenges, and he views his effort as community service.

"It's just a way for us to give back," said Berry, who also serves on the Camden County Board of Commissioners in his home state.

Although Berry whittled down his 19-year quest for publishing into a three-hour workshop and lunch, he voiced his No. 1 pointer for the work he said demands discipline: write every day.

"It's an art form, a craft," he said.

Berry's commitment has translated into books distributed in 50 countries in 37 languages, all in this decade, in a second career.

"You have to hone your craft," he said.

"It is extremely difficult, but I am living proof that it can done."