Uncover Bryan Gruley’s Secret to Writing Stories That Captivate and Thrill Readers Instantly

Who are you?

I’m Bryan Gruley. Born in Detroit, have lived in Brighton, MI; Howell, MI; Kalamazoo, MI; suburban Detroit; Herndon, VA; Chicago, IL; St. Petersburg, FL; and now, beautiful Traverse City, MI. I retired after 41 years as a journalist with a number of publications, including The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg Businessweek.

What do you write?

I started writing when I was in second grade at St. Gemma Elementary in Detroit. I loved Hardy Boys mysteries so much that I invented my own version, the Anderson Twins, Chip and Scott. I wrote stories out on looseleaf paper and read them aloud to my class. I haven’t stopped writing since, though I have not read to any second-grade classes recently.

I don’t avoid any particular words or themes. I write what I write and hope people like it. If they don’t, that’s fine. I mean, seriously, the number of readers you are likely to satisfy as a percentage of the world is tiny, even if you’re James Patterson.

I love what I do and have loved it since the Anderson Twins stories. It’s what I was made to do. I think I’m pretty good at it. I love other things, like hockey and golf, but I pretty much suck at those. If you love something, it’s easier to just keep plugging away. I love writing. I take great pleasure in knowing that I just wrote a good scene or invented a strong character.

Where do you write?

I can write anywhere. I grew up writing in noisy, chaotic newsrooms, so it’s easy for me to shut out the distractions and write. On planes and trains, in bars and airports (and airport bars), on the shores of lakes and rivers. Anywhere. I usually write on my laptop (as I am now) but sometimes I’ll take notes or even sketch a short scene in my journal. I’ve been using uni ball Vision Elite gel pens for years. But I mark up print-outs with pencils equipped with erasers. Highlighters are my friends.

When do you write?