As I often do, I checked the New York Times bestseller list today to see what was selling the most copies this week.

I was not surprised to see that John Grisham’s “The Appeal” tops the hardcover bestseller list. Each book that Grisham writes finds its way as if by magic or GPS to the top of the bestseller list. It’s been a while since I read a Grisham novel. I remember how I felt when I read “The Firm” back in 1990. I was mesmerized. Here was a simple story, well told, about a world that I knew a lot about. As a lawyer myself, I was both impressed and upset–impressed by the compelling plot and Grisham’s ability to keep me reading far into the night; upset that I hadn’t thought of this story myself.

I intend to read “The Appeal” soon. I’ll let you know what I think, both from a critic’s point of view and from the point of view of a practicing attorney.

In addition to “The Appeal,” there are three other books in the next five on the bestseller list that qualify as mystery-thrillers. At number 2, there’s “7th Heaven” by James Patterson. At number 4 (skipping over Stephen King’s “Duma Key” at number 2) is “Stranger in Paradise” by Robert R. Parker. “Plum Lucky” by Janet Evanovich comes in at number 6 (skipping over “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini).

Out of the top 6 books, 4 are mystery-thrillers.

I may go back someday and see what percentage of fiction bestsellers over the past decade or so have been in the mystery-thriller genre. My guess is that the percentage would be very high and probably higher than any other genre (including mainstream novels as a genre).

If you love to read mysteries and thrillers as I do, perhaps you should look no further to find a genre to write your novel in. If you already love to read mysteries, why not write what you love to read? You’re going to be spending a lot of time with your characters and your story. You might as well be spending time immersed in a story that you enjoy. Secondly, if you hope to sell your novel (and who doesn’t aspire to publication?), why not choose a genre that has a large potential readership?

If you want to write a mystery, but don’t know where to begin, I would make several suggestions. First, read widely in the genre. Read all the mystery-thrillers currently on the hardcover and paperback bestseller list. Check out the website for the Edgar awards and read all of the nominated novels for this year’s best book and best debut author awards. Do the same for the past several years. In short, read, read, and then read some more.

Second, check out one or several of the excellent “how to” books on writing in general and on wring mystery-thrillers in particular. I intend to list and rate a number of excelllent how to books in The Writer’s Toolbox under “How To” Books. Until that list is done, I would suggest reading the following: “On Writing” by Stephen King, “Bird by Bird” by Ann Lamott, and “Immediate Fiction” by Jerry Cleaver.

Third, I would do what you know you have to do without really being told–write. Write everyday. Get words on paper. Don’t worry too much about how awful things sound to you. You may think you’re the world’s worst writer, but rest assured, that there are many, many writers worse than you who probably make a handsome living as a writer. The main thing is to get the first draft written. You can always fix the problems after you’ve finished the first draft.

Fourth, keep a positive attitude. You’re writing a novel, so be proud–you’re a novelist. You may not be published yet, but you might someday if you hang with it. If you never start or you quit, rest assured that you won’t get published. Time is short in life. If your passion and desire is to be a writer, then write and you’re a writer. Be proud of your status as a writer and don’t worry too much about what will happen after you finish your book. If you have enough perserverance to complete a novel, chances are you’ll have enough perserverance to get your book properly edited and published.

Until next time, read, read, read and write, write, write.