Truly I never thought of myself as writing legal thrillers, and I still don't think I do. I write stories about women.

Lisa Scottoline’s quote highlights her distinction between the legal thriller genre and her primary focus on writing stories about women. She expresses that although her novels may often be set in the world of law and feature legal themes, her true intention is not to write within the legal thriller genre. Instead, Scottoline is more interested in exploring the experiences and perspectives of women, their relationships, challenges, and emotional journeys. This reveals her deeper goal of humanizing the characters and focusing on personal stories rather than adhering strictly to genre conventions.

By saying, "I write stories about women," Scottoline emphasizes that the heart of her work is rooted in character development, particularly the complexities of women’s lives. While legal drama and courtroom settings may be part of the narrative, these are merely the contexts in which the characters’ personal stories unfold. This suggests that for Scottoline, the legal elements serve as a backdrop, while the emotional and relational depth of her female characters takes center stage.

Scottoline’s comment also challenges the expectations placed on writers to fit into specific genres. Although her books are often classified as legal thrillers, she feels that this label does not fully capture the essence of her writing. Her focus on women’s lives and experiences transcends the typical boundaries of genre, indicating that she’s more interested in portraying real human struggles than following the formulaic structure often associated with thrillers.

The origin of this quote comes from Lisa Scottoline, a bestselling author known for her legal fiction and thriller novels. While her books often involve law and courtroom drama, Scottoline’s primary focus has always been on the characters and their personal journeys. Her work has evolved to encompass themes of family, relationships, and personal growth, with a distinct emphasis on the lives of women.