REACH FOR THIS ONE

Lee Child

I've interviewed Lee Child several times via satellite, but it wasn't until June at Thrillerfest 13 in New York that I got to stand face to face with him for the first time.  Okay, for the sake of clarity, let's say face to neckline is a better description.

He may not have the muscles of his tough guy, revenge seeking hunk of a man in Jack Reacher, but Child is definitely a extra long in the suit department.

Thankfully, he's not menacing either.  At a cocktail party where the booze is flowing freely, anybody who's put words to a chapter wants to get a whiff of the man who's books shoot straight for the top of the New York Times Bestseller List.

Child's latest effort, Never Go Back is circulating everywhere now and it was a pleasure to talk with him again.

Here's a link to our conversation.

And while you have a moment, also check out
my debut espionage thriller Sandstorm.

CAST A GIANT SHADOW

The literary universe took a hit today.

Author, screenwriter Elmore Leonard passed away.  He died from complications of a stroke he suffered a few weeks ago.  At age 87, he of course was working on his 46th novel.

A legend

He began his illustrious career in the early 1950s with a slew of successful westerns.  Working for an advertising agency in Detroit, Leonard would rise to write from 5AM-7AM before heading off to his copy editing duties at Campbell-Ewald.  He wrote every day, and once he quit advertising, it accelerated to 10AM to 6PM without a break.

What resulted from his relentless dedication was a writing career that most of us frankly can't even dream about.  "Get Shorty" "3:10 To Yuma" "Out Of Sight" and "Hombre" are just a few of the titles he penned.

I interviewed Leonard on TV a number of occasions.  He was a quiet, always seemingly pleased with his station in life kind of guy.  I recall one time poking fun at him for the car he drove to the station.  If memory serves me right, it was a vintage Volkswagen hatchback.  He laughed and in typical Leonard fashion, responded by saying it was "practical" and "not over the top."  It got him to where he needed to go.

I felt like a member of the club when Leonard told me to simply call him "Dutch."  Growing up I read a few of his westerns and became even a bigger fan when the likes of "Hombre" "Valdez Is Coming" and "3:10 To Yuma" made it to the big screen.  Then came crime fiction for which he either wrote the book or the screenplay.  There were no limits to Dutch's talent.  He had a playful, special relationship with words.

Now that I'm a published author, one of the blurbs that appears on Sandstorm is from Dutch.  It was one of the most nervous calls I've ever made, asking him would he do it.  After all, Dutch only knew me as a TV news anchor.  I also realized he didn't do it very often.  Dutch made me laugh when he said, "I'll look at your manuscript.  Now if I don't like it, I won't give you a blurb."

I told I'm I'd expect nothing less than the truth and that I'd understand if he decided not to offer a blurb.  A few weeks later, my editor at Forge called and said they'd received an endorsement from Elmore Leonard.  It wasn't my birthday, but it sure as hell was quite a present.

Born in New Orleans, Dutch made Metro Detroit his official home.  Once he got a taste, he was a lifer.  He picked up the area's mood, its heart, its dialogue, and often transported it onto the written page.

While those of us who write genre fiction open ourselves to criticism because we aren't perfect, Elmore Leonard was a talent to be taken seriously.  He was a student of the written word.  His prose was a force field.

If you've never read a Leonard novel, or strive to be a novelist, do yourself a favor and find the time to reward yourself with one of his many titles.

One thing is for certain.

His light will never fade.

THE REAL PAYOFF

My debut espionage thriller SANDSTORM managed to give me something back today that was totally unexpected.  It wasn't a call from my agent or publisher saying it had made the New York Times bestsellers list (though come on, that would be pretty damn sweet). 

No, what I got today was a Facebook message from Tyler Donoghue.  I've never met him, and before that message, had no idea who he was.

I quickly discovered that we share a deep appreciation for my departed friend Vince Flynn and through that association, Tyler had found SANDSTORM.

Here is the message he sent me:


"I'm a die hard Vince Flynn fan. In fact I'm the guy you see in
the hospital on Vince's website for email of the month.  I bought Sandstorm and let me tell you:  It's one of my favorite books EVER!  It was amazing.  I tell everyone about it! Incredible.  With Vince's unfortunate sad death I am glad I found a new author to love!  Thank you!  Are you going to write another book?  Please say yes!!  I look forward to it and look forward to hopefully getting a response from you. Take care!"


Now I've gotten a fair share of email messages and reviews from a number of people who thankfully, have enjoyed SANDSTORM and like Tyler, have been nice enough to inquire about a second book.  But upon investigating, I discovered that for Tyler to take the time to reach out to me, makes SANDSTORM a very worthwhile endeavor.  Even if he was the only person to buy a copy, I'd be touched.

On Vince Flynn's website I learned Tyler, now 27 years old, was nearly killed in a car crash in 2010 that left him disabled.  A fighter for sure, he welcomed the birth of his son this past May.  (You can read his story and become a fan as I have here).

I was extremely humbled and honored for him to give SANDSTORM such lofty praise.  I write about characters who face incredible odds and somehow manage to survive.  They pale in comparison to Tyler's strength and courage.

I'm uplifted that he got in touch and thrilled to have a fan of his magnitude.  Tyler, you better believe I'm working on another book!

FIRST ROUND IS ON ME

As my debut espionage thriller SANDSTORM officially releases on Tuesday, June 4, I'd like to place
my feet back on the ground long enough to give a couple of shout-outs to some early praise making the rounds.

To the International Thriller Writers organization and its Debut Authors program, a huge thank you for the interview and publicity.  I'm proud to be a member of such a wonderful group bent on killing people on paper and sometimes spreading mass destruction.

Here's a link to the interview in The Big Thrill newsletter. 

The Big Thrill interview


To Hour Detroit magazine, I can't gather up enough copies!

Hour Detroit magazine review


I swear Ricky Brown is not on the payroll, and I generally don't genuflect, but his review in the 
Examiner floored me.  It will be good to hold onto when the less than complimentary reviews come in, and we know they're coming!  Such is the life of being a writer.  You can't please everyone, but happy Ricky is on board. 

Examiner review of Sandstorm

CAPTURING BRAD THOR

For years, author Brad Thor has been successfully churning out page turners.

Brad Thor

For years, I've been trying to get Scot Harvath's maker into the studio for a one on one chat.

Finally, I succeeded on a recent trip to Detroit.

Clearly established as one of the best thriller writers ever to bring characters and scenarios to print, Brad is about to launch his lastest effort, "Hidden Order" on July 9th.  He was nice enough to exclusively spill some of the beans about the upcoming novel as well as talk about what makes him tick as a writer.


Brad Thor interview

PREPARING FOR THE SURREAL

Available June 4th

June 4th looms as a huge check mark in my life.

Long after my time on this earth has passed, there will be tangible evidence that I was here.  In a way, a contribution to the arts.  That feels good.

For a while, I will have the honor of sharing the same precious space reserved for the works of Ian Fleming, Robert Ludlum, Lee Child, Brad Meltzer, Vince Flynn, Frederick Forsyth and so many more.

The air is getting thinner.

It's like precise math at this point.  Hard work + dreams x never giving up = June 4th, which is the day my debut espionage thriller SANDSTORM is released.

I hark back to my days as a youngster when I was drawn to bookstores like a magnet, seeking some far away land or larger than life character to satisfy my imaginative thirst.

They've been out of business for years, but I fondly remember spending countless hours at Kroch's and Brentano's in downtown Chicago.  My mother could deposit me there and then go shopping, secure with the knowledge that I wasn't going to wonder off.  And that was way, way before the invention of cell phones.

Multi levels of books; mysteries, thrillers, WWII, magazines, and newspapers from around the globe.  It was the best of times as I thumbed through the latest Mickey Spillane, Dashiell Hammett, Len Deighton and other offerings.

I'm sure that's where the fire was first lit.  Imagine one day on the shelf, staring back at me, something I created.

Fast forward to 2013 and it's about to become a reality.

I can only speculate that seeing one's first book, a labor of intense love, on a shelf at a bookstore is like an out of body experience.  To that end, I have to tip my hat to Barnes & Noble and countless independent sellers for surviving in this technological age.  Thanks for hanging in there!  Gone are Borders, B. Dalton, Waldenbooks and various other relics that used to cater to a reading world.

Part of me wants to emulate Mary Tyler Moore in the opening credits of her TV show where she spins and joyously throws her hat in the air.  Another part wants to take on the persona of The Most Interesting Man In The World.  Act like you've been here before.

Whichever emotion comes through, I'm sure it will be genuine and extremely humbling.  There are friends, fans and strangers who will willingly fork over their hard earned dollars.

I can only hope I manage to give them the kind of return on their investment that leaves them wanting more.

BALDACCI: HARD TO FORGET

DAVID BALDACCI

Bestselling author David Baldacci is at it again.

The man's brain just won't shut off.  That's a good thing for the millions of readers who look forward to his books every year.  A holiday treat this year is "The Forgotten".


I got the opportunity to do a satellite interview with David before Thanksgiving about his latest effort and he gives me a scoop about what lies ahead.

Click the link below to listen.


http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7986401

NELSON DEMILLE, Worth the wait

Nelson DeMille

Nelson DeMille doesn't churn out books faster than a speeding bullet.

He's a stickler for well researched, detail oriented thrillers and that takes time.  His latest effort, The Panther is over 600 pages of hard to put down goodness.

A decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, DeMille cites some of his war experiences as the motivation behind becoming an author.

Recently DeMille explained the plot line of The Panther and his long-standing run as one of the best thriller writers in the business.

Nelson DeMille delivers the goods in The Panther.

DENNIS LEHANE, Good in any period

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Dennis Lehane for his latest novel, Live By Night.

Dennis Lehane

The unfortunate aspect of morning TV news is that there never seems to be enough time when you're having an engaging conversation. None-the-less, it was a few good minutes with the best-selling author.

Take a listen.

Dennis Lehane Interview

FIRING GET WELL WISHES

GET WELL

My wife came home from work today and asked why I seemed to be in the dumps.

My lack of enthusiastic communication centered around a tweet this afternoon from author Brad Thor: "Please keep Vince Flynn and his family in your prayers."  It was followed by a link to Vince's website where he chillingly discussed his on-going battle with prostate cancer.

I consider Vince a friend so this hurts to see him and his family go through such a difficult period.

If this was paper, there'd be DNA from tears sprinkled on the edges.  While Vince was dealing with his illness last year, he graciously took the time to read my debut manuscript. He did so while resting and recuperating in Mexico.  Considering his situation, I was shocked that he wanted to thumb through the pages of a newbie's work.  After finishing the manuscript, he provided a blurb to help me get the process going of finding a publisher.

If Vince should read this he'll probably say, 'Why aren't you writing?'

That's what writers are supposed to do - write.  Consider this a short break then.  No need to send Mitch Rapp my way.

When I read my first Mitch Rapp story, I couldn't get my hands on the books fast enough.  It also made me do some background on Vince.  He immediately became my inspiration.  A guy who self-published at first because no one was interested in giving him a chance.

Multiple books later, he's routinely on the New York Times Best-Seller List, represented by one of the most prestigious firms in the business, making serious money along the way to seeing his dreams realized.

At long last, Vince's kick butt CIA operative Mitch Rapp is slated to appear on the big screen in the coming year.  All this couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

I reached out several years ago to Vince's publicist, David Brown at Atria Books.  I begged him within an inch of stalking to convince Vince to make a stop in Detroit.  They eventually worked it out.  Vince was a guest on our morning show and a budding friendship had begun (okay, more admiration on my part than his).  To make the deal complete, I inherited David as a friend as well.  So when David called a couple of years later, asking if I would MC a Vince book signing at a Metro Detroit Borders (remember them?), I was more than happy to do so.

Even though I'm a broadcaster, it was an education to see a master at work in front of a crowd.  Vince was warm, patient and gracious with each person in a very, very long line of late-night worshipers.  Did I mention I anchor the morning show!  Afterward, Vince took me and several employees at the bookstore out for a drink and candid conversation.  Good times.

In reading the statement on his website, it's obvious Vince feels bad for not being able to deliver the latest Mitch Rapp adventure to his loyal readers on time.  Hey buddy, trust me when I say, Mitch can wait.  Your faithful fans want to see the true hero get healthy.  So in that regard, take all the time necessary to make that happen.

There's nothing wrong with going back and rereading the fine collection that occupies a special place on my bookshelf.

THE MOODY BLUES

My agent said there'll be days like this... there'll be days like this my agent said.

I'm trying not to break a writer's rule of thumb.

Patience.  It's part of the job description.

I know it hasn't been two months yet since my agent began sending my debut thriller on its maiden voyage to editors.  I realize much like getting an agent, only one editor has to say "yes" to further my dreams.  So I try to put it behind me at the end of each day as I rest my head on the pillow.

At least no one got hurt today.

However, it's getting harder to suppress sort of a Jekyll and Hyde persona.  I'm beginning to feel a little bit like Hank Moody, the main character on Showtime's Californication.  I can see myself spiraling out of control somewhat in a fit of literary confusion.  'Damn right I poured my heart out in that manuscript.  Researched the hell out of it.  Bartender, yes, I'll have another.'

I've almost run out of mild-mannered retorts when my friends say "I can't wait to read your book.  When is it coming out?"  I still smile when I answer, "I have to get a book deal first."  What follows is a sympathetic look akin to patting me on the head.

Thankfully, I have family and now March Madness to keep me sane.  Of course I would care less about my brackets (not true) if my agent were to call me with some "Are you sitting down?" news.

Until then, here's to Hank Moody for keeping me in line.  I can see where going off the deep end will get you. Better to just vicariously live through the train wreck.

Besides, have to keep telling myself 'Be patient.  Your time will come.'

TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK

The manuscript is out there, seeking a publisher with all the force a 93-thousand word thriller can muster.

It's only been a short while, but every time the phone rings at home, the hairs on the back of my neck rise a little.  Could this be the call?  Damn!  It's just AT&T wanting me to upgrade my service or some other annoyance that I don't care to hear from.

I want to scream into the handset, 'Don't you know I'm waiting on the call!  Stay off the line!'


Truth is, there's no sense in driving myself crazy because this step, much like the one before it and the one before that, can take some time.  How's does a year sound to you?  Only the crowd that includes Stephen King, James Patterson, J.K. Rowling and John Grisham can get projects green-lighted in less time.

For us mere mortals, the process is tedious.  Once an editor likes the project, it then goes through the wash with co-workers and bosses before a final go-ahead is given.  If that happy day arrives, your agent is given an  offer.  That offer basically includes an advance (less these days unless the Almighty has written you a blurb), royalties, territory (the area it's going to be sold) and other terms spelling out everything that comes to mind.  The deal can be for one or multiple books, and if you're fortunate, another editor from a different publishing house might be interested which leads to the sweetest words a budding author can hear "AUCTION."

So now you've got a signed contract and several bottles of good champagne later, the editor lets you know that 93-thousand word thriller you've already whittled down a million times needs further content changes that of course you will make.  Remember, you aren't King, Patterson, Rowling or Grisham yet.

When the manuscript achieves editorial approval, it's on to copyediting because even spell check isn't perfect.
You still have to proof-read each version as it's completed.  The good news is while all this is going on, the publisher is working on the design of your book, including the cover.  In addition, your new best friend, the editor, is co-ordinating with the sales and marketing departments to make the book look and feel the best it can be.  Long before the book is published, your personal sales force will deal with bookstore buyers and any other takers to place orders for your soon-to-be blockbuster.  All the complicated data derived helps the publisher determine how many books will be printed.

From finished manuscript to the point where passersby are looking at you strangely for striking a pose in front of bookstore windows, the process takes about a year or more.

Surely while all that was going on, book two is nearly finished...

BRAD MELTZER... ONE OF THE BEST

Brad Meltzer

I'm proud to say Brad Meltzer has become a cherished friend.

You just want to rub that smooth dome of his, hoping that some of the knowledge locked inside will transfer.  His latest thriller, The Inner Circle, surprise, surprise, is on the New York Times bestseller list.

If you haven't discovered by now, Brad is also a social networking addict.  He's crossed the line!  He tweets constantly on his Blackberry.  He was exercising his digits prior to being interviewed by me on television.  He can't help himself and when you consider the degree of success he's had, you can't blame him.  Hell, I should be emulating him!


You know you've made it to the mountaintop when in the green room, the one and only Chaka Khan told him that she religiously watches his History Channel show, Decoded.  What is it with bald guys impressing the chicks?  Yul Brynner, Telly Savalas, Michael Jordan -- Brad Meltzer!  To be fair, when he was in college at the University of Michigan, it was hard to tell Brad apart from Joey Lawrence.

Colleagues at work who've been living in caves, asked me afterward about Brad.  They were intrigued by his synopsis of The Inner Circle.  Aside from being a first-rate storyteller, Brad is also a freak researcher and it pays off by making his books compelling reads.

I made a huge mistake the other day by starting to read The Inner Circle.  I did this while tweaking my novel and brainstorming the next one.  Of course, it was hard to put the darn thing down.  It now occupies a spot on my nightstand next to the bed.

Brad is also a work-alcoholic, dabbing in writing comic books such as Batman, Superman, Buffy The Vampire Slayer (okay, there has to be good story behind that one).  I guess a guy has to make a living.

Trying to gain whatever insight I can about the writing business, Brad informed me the process basically never stops.  He runs his manuscripts by his wife, a brutal trip down reality lane as I've come to discover as well.  His agent is a former editor so she makes suggestions and then he gives a few trusted friends a look too.  All that before the publisher ever sees the work.

The craft of fine tuning your query letter pays off as well.  Leaving nothing to chance, Brad also wrote the description inside The Inner Circle jacket cover.

I could talk at length about Brad's preparation but hey, I've got writing of my own to do.  And then there's that damn The Inner Circle waiting to tuck me in for the night.

NEW YEAR, FRESH START, NOTHING BUT OPTIMISM

Short Coffee Break

Ah, a new year.

Smells like opportunity.

Agents are refreshed, ready to devour query letters and publishers are awaiting the next big thing.  What you have to be saying at this point is, "Why not me!"  Surely during the holidays you didn't just sit around feeding your face.  Surely you spent some valuable time writing, plotting, touching up your manuscript.  Is that query letter the best it can be?  Have you done your homework on potential agents in order to make your query stand out among the wave of others?

It's not easy work, but if you're serious about being a writer, you already know that.  I can't think of anything I've done in my life that has been more mentally and physically draining.  From plot to finish, wait, did I say 'finish'?  Make that from plot to rewrite, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite and then finish, writing will test your resolve.  But like a good workout, you'll feel better for having completed it.

If you haven't already, you should establish a link and follow some agents you like.  Their musings are often insightful, sometimes humorous and can serve as a guide for polishing up your act.  Some agents even give you an indication of what's trending in the business and novels they're excited about.  I still find myself visiting Janet Reid's blog from time-to-time because she has this obsessive contest where you have to write a story  using 100 words or less, including five words she provides.  It's a fun exercise and you'll be surprised at much it streamlines your writing.

My book is getting ready to be pitched to publishers (fingers crossed) and while that agonizing period is underway, I'm working on book No. 2.  Might as well drive myself crazy even further.  I'm beginning to understand Hemingway more and more.

Oh, and there's a life I still have to pay attention to -- wife, two kids, two dogs, a job that pays me, or more correctly, pays the bills and IRS.

Ah, writing, what a great relaxer.

THE HUNT FOR TOM CLANCY

$$ TOM CLANCY $$

I believe in taking some time off.  Refueling. Sinking your toes in the sand.

But 7 years!

Has Tom Clancy been in witness protection?  Has it taken this long to count all his money?  Talk about the sum of all successes.

Ah, silly stuff to ponder.  The only important thing to grasp is that on Dec. 7, Clancy's first offering since 2003's Teeth Of The Tiger, comes out.

I haven't been given an advance title of Dead Or Alive (What the hell!) but I am looking forward to reading it.  Some familiar faces are back after all this time.  Jack Ryan, Jack Ryan, Jr., John Clark and Ding Chavez weave their way through intrigue as part of a secret US counter-terrorism organization known as the Campus.  The goal is to take down, by any means necessary, a sadistic terrorist called the Emir who plans to bring America to its knees.  Okay, the storyline sounds familiar but I wager it will be told with a technical insight that Clancy perfected, which should make parts of the book compelling.

Full disclosure, I've contributed to the Clancy treasure chest over the years, buying and playing for hours his various video game offerings.  Almost forgot the dude wrote books that could sometimes double as a weapon.  Executive Orders was 874 pages!  Somewhere Ken Follett is laughing.  Skip the gym and pick up Fall of Giants.

Dead Or Alive is written in collaboration with US Navy veteran Grant Blackwood, an author of several books himself.  If his name is on the tip of your tongue, it's probably because he's assisted Clive Cussler on a couple of projects.

I haven't seen a book tour for Clancy.  No satellite opportunity has crossed my desk.  For some, he isn't exactly 'Mr. Warmth' so that could be a wise decision by some savvy exec.

In the spirit of the holiday season, Penguin is providing the first two chapters much like the small samples of cologne you get when you make a major purchase.  Question is, will you be gift wrapping Dead Or Alive this season?  Here's a link to the sample... Don't get killed along the way.

QUERY THIS PAL!



TAKING AIM AT A BOOK DEAL



No more queries for this couch potato! Well, the couch is actually a chair in the man cave, seemingly chained to a desk and computer.



KATE FOLKERS, LITERARY AGENT



Something magical happened on Tuesday, November 16.  A long process of getting someone to believe in my 92 thousand word espionage thriller payed off.  I now have a literary agent!

Thank you Kate Folkers of the Martin Literary Management Agency.

Is it coincidence that a Field Of Dreams is on right now?

I realize this is just another phase of a continuing process, but it feels awfully damn good right now.  Of course, for all the hard work leading up to this moment, there remains plenty to accomplish.  Getting a book deal is no guarantee.  Over the past few months, I felt I was close to securing representation and I have all the rejection letters to prove it.  From the early stages of form written setbacks to letters of encouragement, some of which offered sound advice. 

Thanks to a connection with author Sara Paretsky, agent Dominick Abel gave me a phone call during the early stages of my search.  He offered sound criticism that I took to heart, leading me back to the dark, lonely days of rewrite, rewrite.  I'd come up for air to try again, only to realize I wasn't there yet.  The thought of giving up though, never crossed my mind.

Along the way I discovered the Guide To Literary Agents blog, a tremendous source of updated information.  I also stumbled across Thrillerfest, which I attended for the first time in July.  Talk about an invaluable learning experience!  I've interviewed Presidents, A-List actors and world class athletes but nothing was as terrifying as having to prepare for a pitch session before some the industry's best and brightest.  To help get me there, I owe a huge thanks to the kindness and advice of people like authors Shane Gericke and Lisa Gardner.  They were warm and inviting during a reception the night before as were a number of other authors.  JJ Cooper, my Down Under friend, thanks for the encouragement!  If you write thrillers and haven't yet sampled Thrillerfest, you really must give it a try.  Besides, it's in New York!

So why did Kate Folkers decide to offer me representation?  Why did I decide to sign with her?  From my end, it was a comfortable connection.  She got what my book was about.  She took the time to delve into it, offering both praise and criticism.  She was honest and had a plan.  I also was impressed with her multi-faceted background which I believe in the long run will pay off.

Since November 16, I've had plenty of time to come down from Mt. Small Achievement.  There's hopefully a book deal out there and I've got plenty of polishing up to do.  At least I'm not doing it alone anymore.

DOES DAVID BALDACCI EVER SLEEP?




John Carr, aka Oliver Stone is back

 Best-selling thriller writer David Baldacci has bested me again.  In releasing Hell's Corner today, he now has 20 published books to my 0!!!

Whew, I've got some catching up to do in the second half!

In the meantime, I spent a few good minutes with David this morning discussing his latest release, where he writes and how he combats writer's block.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Until you actually go through the process of trying to secure an agent and get published, the majority of newbie authors have great expectations.  Walking by a bookseller and seeing your work displayed through the window is the stuff dreams are made of.  What's that? New York Times Bestsellers' List!

Count me dreaming!

Ah, but they're not called dreams for nothing.  The truth has a way of slapping you back into reality.



Terry McMillan's latest novel

Overnight sensations are rare.  Rest assured a number of successful authors spent countless months in rejection land.  In September, Terry McMillan stopped by upon the launch of her latest novel,
Getting To Happy.  The book is the long overdue and awaited sequel to Waiting To Exhale.  After achieving blockbuster gold with Exhale, most would put a rush order on a followup.  Strike while the literary fire is white hot.  McMillian waited more than 15 years!  She wrote several books in-between but none achieved the same legendary status.

So why the delay?  McMillian told me she never gave most of the characters in Exhale too much thought after it was released.  The countless chatter, interviews and "when are you going to write a sequel" questions distanced her even more.  Finally though, Savannah, Gloria, Bernadine, and Robin won out.  Characters who's advancement in life had to be told.

I hadn't seen Terry in a couple of years so it was nice to catch up.  When I remarked to her that I had written a novel and how frustrating it was to secure an agent, she asked how long I had been looking.  When I told her since the end of July, she crossed her eyes and threw out a well placed "Child please."

I don't recall the name, but she mentioned a guy who'd won a Pulitzer Prize that couldn't land an agent for a couple of years before it finally happened.  The message was clear.  Keep plugging away and if it's something you want bad enough and you're talented enough, a breakthrough will eventually come.

So, I'm looking forward to exhaling myself one day.

OLD SCHOOL VS. NEW SCHOOL (OR DROP THAT eREADER... I DARE YOU!)

I was at Costco the other day bulking up when something caught my eye.  It was subtle, but left me with a warm feeling.

Adjacent to the clothes, cold cuts and cheeses, was a long table filled with various books.  Good old hardcovers and paperbacks with numerous people thumbing through them.  I was hit with one of the glaring design flaws of eBooks, a huge advantage that paper books have held for years.  Go to Amazon and the books that allow you to "see inside" have the same drawback.  You can only scan through the first several pages!  Even as a kid, I enjoyed not only glancing at the beginning of a book but turning to the middle and toward the end to see if the writing was consistent. 

Most published writers today know how to craft the first couple of chapters but what happens in the meat of the book?  Is the writing just as compelling?  How often have you excitedly started a novel only to be letdown by say page 50 or 100?  With a hardcover or paperback, I can flip through the pages.  It's more of a gamble with an eBook.

For me also, there is just something about holding a book and turning the pages.  My eyes suffer enough during the course of a day staring at various computer screens.  Sure while on vacation it's cool to lounge by the pool or beach, reading an iPad, Kindle, etc but I don't want to be in panic mode if it slips out of my hand or begins to run out of juice.

I can only imagine being on the edge of a cliff hanging moment when the battery power is about to run out on my eReader.  "Honey, I have to run back to the room and charge up!"

If I drop my book in the sand, no harm, no foul, and as long as I've got sunlight, I'm good to go.  If I'm not paying attention for a moment and suddenly my book is gone, there's no panic.  I don't mind spending less than twenty bucks to get another copy if need be.  Lose that iPad and I'm forming a search party!

I realize eBooks have recently been outselling hardcovers but call me a purist.  I'll always favor and have a soft spot in my heart and hands for good old paper.

MY BRUSH WITH JASON BOURNE

It was not unlike a clandestine meeting.

On each end, someone else was responsible for us getting together in 1983.  There was never any direct communication.  No one with notoriety passed through St. Thomas without a set of eyes upon them. 

I had only been living and working on St. Thomas for a couple of months when a fellow co-worker at the Virgin Islands Daily News informed me that my favorite author, Robert Ludlum, often vacationed there.  I told him I'd be interested in doing an interview.  He knew people who knew Ludlum and therefore, he'd see what he could do the next time Jason Bourne's creator was on the island.

Robert Ludlum

I'd forgotten about the conversation when out of the blue one day, I was told Ludlum agreed to the interview.  But, there was a condition.  Now this was the part that as a journalist, makes you take a seat. 

What's the condition?

"You can't disclose to anyone where he's staying and you can't run the interview in the paper until he's gone."

Now, this was the part that as a journalist, makes you jump out of your seat and say, "Is that all?  Yeah I agree to that."

Secret Harbour Beach Resort

A couple of days later, anxious as hell, I knocked on the designated door at the Secret Harbour Beach Resort.  Now the next part is a little fuzzy in my memory.  Come on, it was over 27 years ago!  What I can't remember is whether he or his wife opened the door.  In any event, I was welcomed in and led to the patio.  The backdrop was a breathtaking stretch of white sandy beach and a cove that fed into the Caribbean Ocean.

For nearly an hour I sat with Ludlum, picking his brain, listening to every word, hoping to not only gather material for a good article, but to possibly pick up pointers for the day when I got serious about writing my own thrillers.

One skill you learn over time is how to read upside down.  While on vacation, Ludlum would often write passages of his next project in a simple spiral bound notebook.  There it was, open on the table.  The makings of the next novel.  I started to read it.  Hey, he left it open!  I asked to be sure.  "So, you're working on your next book?"

He acknowledged my observation but wouldn't let me read it.  Now was that being hospitable!  I believe that notebook turned out to be The Aquitaine Progression.

When I was done, it was just as much a treat to discover Ludlum was a gracious, nice person.  I of course, honored our agreement and a few months later, a note addressed to me arrived from him.  He didn't have to, but essentially Ludlum took the time to say thanks.  I cherish that correspondence to this day.