Ask the Author: Lou Berney

“Ask me a question.” Lou Berney

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Sorry, one more question. Did you travel to Panama City, Belize City, Cairo, Phnom Phen and maybe even to Bloomington?
Lou Berney Yes! Though it was Siem Reap instead of Phnom Penh.
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I've read every one of your books except for Bouchon #3 (saving it for 2026), all 5⭐️ for me. Ho do you manage to write dialogues so packed with wit, do you revisit written dialogues and add jokes, nuances, sarchams, spice… or they flow out already with the personality and humor of each character?
Lou Berney Thank you! Usually I don't spend much time re-writing dialogue -- as long as I've got a good sense of the character, that flow you're talking about works the best.
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Most authors are inspired by books, which is normal, but some authors are inspired by movies. What is your favorite movie of all time?
Lou Berney It's kind of a painfully obvious choice, but I love THE GODFATHER, and it was an inspiration for CROOKS, my new novel. I also really love Jane Campion's THE PIANO, for a wild card pick. Thanks for asking!
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In 2022 I read a book each month with that name of the month in the title of the book, November Road blew me away. I lived in OKC for many years and loved all the local landmarks and references in the Long and Faraway Gone, plus it was a multi-layered page turner. How much plotting, outlining, and character sketching do you do in advance?
Lou Berney I do quite a bit of planning, but a fair amount of that changes as I draft and the story evolves. And thanks for the kind words!
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What is the latest status with Double Barrel Bluff? I'm a huge fan of Shake Bouchon's adventures.
Lou Berney Coming in November!
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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)
Lou Berney Thanks so much! I love both Elmore Leonard and Ross Thomas!
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I loved the first two Shake books, and I’m looking forward to Double Barrel Bluff. I’m just curious as to why its publication has already been delayed for five years, with no definite publication date in sight in coming years. Are you reworking the book, or is there a conflict over publication rights? Did a voodoo goddess place a curse on the book? Inquiring minds want to know!
Lou Berney Voodoo goddess. In negotiations with her now. She's a bit prickly.
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I enjoyed both Shake Bouchon books, but thought the Long and Faraway Gone and November Road were extraordinary in quality and in the transformation of your writing style. What lead you to depart from Leonard/Hiassen territory to Long and Faraway Gone? How did your readers, publisher and reviewers react to the change?
Lou Berney Thanks very much! I think it was just a natural evolution of the kinds of stories I want to tell. So far everyone has been very supportive of the change.
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Does Double Barrel Bluff exist?
Lou Berney It exists! It's just not been published yet. It won't be out until 2023 or later.
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I'm sure you are asked this a lot...when can we expect the release of your next book?
Lou Berney I'm working on it right now, and hope to have it out in 2022. Thanks!
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Hey, man. I'm sure I wasn't the only one super impressed with your use of "Turn to Me" off NEW SENSATIONS. Are you really a fan of Lou Reed? I'm a 'UUUUGE fan of the guy, not to mention VU. I'd never heard that song before and ended up buying the record - and loved it. Were you surprised to find yourself using that song or had you been planning it? Any other under appreciated favorites you considered?
Lou Berney No, that song wasn't planned at all, but when I was writing the song it seemed to fit right in. Glad you liked the album. (And yes, I'm a big fan of Lou Reed and the VU.)
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Have really really enjoyed all of your previous work, especially TLAFG and the Shake books. Any update on the release of Double Barrel Bluff? Thanks.
Lou Berney It won't be out until after my next standalone, so probably not till 2022 or 2023. Sorry for the wait, and thanks!
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Just finished both "November Road" and "The Long and Faraway Gone" in succession and enjoyed them both immensely. Being a huge, I appreciated the U2 references in "The Long and Faraway Gone." Are you a fan too, or was that more random?
Lou Berney Glad you enjoyed them, and thanks for letting me know! I am a fan of U2, though the references were more about the character than me.
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Any update on when Double Barrel Bluff will be released?
Lou Berney Should be released in January or February of 2020!
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Sorry to hear that you think Oswald was that good a shot and was guilty. (Mark Lane NOT Posner convinced me) I still love your book anyway! Can you keep your fans on Goodreads in the loop if a film is in the works? Thanks!
Lou Berney Lawrence Kasdan is set to write and direct the film version. I will keep you updated!
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Lou I’m so Happy to hear from you ! Thanks ! I find I’m lost in your world the past few days and can’t let go of the story yet ... I’ve recommended to my friends :) Goodreads told me I need A ???? Sothere it is ???
Lou Berney Very glad you're enjoying NOVEMBER ROAD!
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Are you not the author Louis Berney, author of a short story collection and a book about the Baltimore Orioles? I will be disappointed if you're not as I am a bit of a completist and just ordered the story collecton on amazon for a bit of a price. thanks!
Lou Berney Sorry to report that though I'm a baseball fan I'm NOT the Louis Berney who wrote the book about the Baltimore Orioles.
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I just finished November Road-loved it - on November 22nd. Barone is the most amazing depiction of a cold blooded killer I've ever read. You nailed it! Anyway, was wondering your own personal take on JFK's murderers. I would bet everything I own that Oswald never fired a shot, which is what drew me to your great novel. Any thoughts, comments? Any plans for a film?
Lou Berney I really appreciate that, Tiki! And good timing on the finish. I'm not sure what my own take is. I think it's likely that Oswald acted alone (Posner and Buglioswki are very convincing), but there are definitely questions and if there was a conspiracy my money would be on Carlos Marcello to be behind it. And yes, a movie is in the works, with Lawrence Kasdan to write and direct.
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Hi Lou ! Just finished November Road and I LOVED it !! One thing I am curious about is the reason you described Frank having a distinctive eye shape ? He is described as handsome, did you have a certain actor or historical figure you were envisioning while writing? I really love that you based Charlotte on your mother. Also the girls Rosemary and Joan were soooo entertaining <3 Congratulations and Best wishes
Lou Berney Thanks for the kind words, Betsy. I didn't envision a particular actor. I like when people suggest possibilities, but my characters are real people in my mind (crazy, I know!) and so it's impossible for me to think about casting them.
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What authors have had the most influence on your style, your character development, and your plot structure?
Lou Berney A couple of novelists really inspired The Long and Faraway Gone, especially in terms of structure: Kate Atkinson and Laura Lippman. Their novels helped me think about shifting POV and overlapping plot lines in useful ways.
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