On Writing Joe Hunter

I was recently asked to write an article on writing the Joe Hunter thrillers for top class crime fiction/review site SHOTSMAG, and the article is now up here: http://www.shotsmag.co.uk/feature_view.aspx?FEATURE_ID=196

In it I talk about inspirations (some you might guess, some you might not), my writing day and style, and how Joe Hunter was born, and has grown and changed over the past seven books. Hope you enjoyed the read and learn something new.

What makes me tick?

Over at Ace Spy Writer, Jeremy Duns'  blog THE DEBRIEF, I guest write with my take on one of the books that most influenced me as a crime thriller writer. If you'd like to find out what it is click here and while you're there, why not stick around a while and find out a little more about Jeremy and his creation of Paul Dark. You'll also find some fabulously researched, entertaining and educational studies on some of spy fictions most notable characters.

While on the subject, I'd also like to congratulate Jeremy on the sale of the rights to the three books in his Dark Trilogy to the BBC for an upcoming TV series. Good on you, mate.

The best form of flattery.

http://arrowsakealumni.ning.com/forum/topics/joe-hunter-vs-john-rambo-in

Hi all, a short time ago the question was raised here at this blog as to who would win in a fight between Joe Hunter and John Rambo and we had a little fun with it (why not take a look back in the archives). This inspired fellow author, Amit Dhand, to let loose his imagination and come up with just that very scenario. If you'd like to read the entire story, click the link above.

Just a note, both Amit and I are huge Rambo and David Morrell fans, and this is intended in the spirit that imitation is the best form of flattery.

Enjoy. I certainly did.

Thrillerfest is almost upon us!

Grand Hyatt Hotel New York City July 8-11, 2009
THE SPIRIT OF THRILLERFEST 2009 spir•it, n. A special attitude or frame of mind

ThrillerFest is Summer Camp for readers, fans, writers, industry professionals and those just looking for a great time!

Along with many of the top names in thriller writing including such luminaries as David Morrell, Gayle Lynds, Lee Child, David Baldacci etc there's going to be another writer on the rostrum - yep, li'l ol' me!

This is the third convention that I will attend since obtaining my publishing deal (the first two being Bouchercon in Baltimore and Crimefest in Bristol). I didn't feel that nervous about attending the others as there was no real expectation, but my debut book Dead Men's Dust has now been published and will have been read by some of the attendees and other authors in attendance. What questions are they going to ask? Did they like the book? Somehow - and I can't really put my finger on the why? - I've got the nerves in the guts syndrome that preceeds an appearance. Is it stage fright? Don't think so: I was once doing a martial arts demonstration in an arena with hundreds of people in the audience and before I went on to do my bit I could actually feel my ears flapping!! I think that it's more apprehension of how I'm going to be greeted. This may sound odd because everyone bar none has been supportive and friendly - I guess it's really because I still can't stop feeling like I'm 'just a fan' who has written a book in a similar genre and feel that I've no real right to be standing alongside the world-wide bestselling authors that have given me such reading pleasure and inspiration over the years.

Before anyone thinks that I've finally crumbled under pressure - worry not. I'm resilient and will bounce back in a couple seconds. In fact, I have just by writing that. I'm not 'that' nervous, just trying to be truthful and to let the aspiring authors who follow my blog know about the gamut of emotions you experience along the way.

On the flip-side I'm very excited.

I'm a member of ITW's Debut Authors programme and am in the class of 2009. I've communicated via various medium with a number of my class mates, and Thrillerfest is my first opportunity to meet and chat with all my friends. We're all doing a 'meet the debut authors' breakfast, with bestselling author David Baldacci doing a keynote speech and introducing us all to the attendees. Should be great and an amazing opportunity. Some of these authors (hopefully all - including li'l 'ol me) will be the big names of the future.

There are many huge names appearing at Thrillerfest, but it would be remiss of me to mention some but not all. If you want to know more about ITW, take a look at the website here:

www.thrillerwriters.org