On August 13th, 2026, Tess Gerritsen of Camden Maine visited the St. George town office for a book talk. Tess Gerritsen informed the audience of what methods, and how she wrote her book. Tess has written over 30 books since she started writing in the late 1980's. She is a major in anthropology, she was also a physician before eventually settling as a writer. She now reads 3 to 4 newspapers, looking for a story she could make into a book.
At the book talk, Tess shared many methods, and memories in her writing. She shared funny stories about how some of her books were thought of and made. Tess shared a method she calls the 2+2=5 formula. She says that this formula includes taking one idea or story, adding it to another, and making a new idea, and in Tess' case, a new book. Tess looks through the newspaper, and she keeps folders with stories that she is waiting to find the other part. Tess shares funny anecdotes with the audience, keeping the book talk light and fun. Tess also shares pieces of advice for writers, such as, she tells the audience that sometimes you need to walk away from a story, and come back to it with new eyes, or new ideas. Tess also tells of how she thought up the basis for "The Spy Coast". Tess tells of how she discovered there were retired spies, and how as she was aging, she wanted to write a book including both of those. That is one example of the 2+2=5 formula in action. Another example is one of Tess' books, “Ice Cold”, starring doctor Maura Isles, is that Tess had heard about how a military base was testing nerve gas, and the wind accident sent it in the wrong way, causing at least 3000 sheep to die. The other plus 2 was when Tess got lost, and her gps took her the wrong way. Those two stories were taken by Tess, and formed into a thrilling read. Also, Tess Gerritsen brought some of her books so that people could pay whatever they want for any of the books. All proceeds went to the library as a donation.
The members of St. George were very happy to welcome Tess to do the book talk, and were very happy to listen to her stories, methods, and fun anecdotes. We thank the library staff for helping set up the book talk. Thanks also to Tess Gerritsen for coming to do the book talk, and for bringing books, methods, and great energy.
