Ask the Author: Chuck Barrett
Answered Questions (10)
Chuck Barrett
Unfortunately, my reading list this summer is rather short. Between research trips, writing my next thriller, and the Red Hot Thriller Book Tour with fellow thriller author DJ Steele, it doesn't leave a lot of time for reading. Of course, I will get some in despite the busy schedule. My ever-growing backlog consists of friend and fellow author Pamela Callow's series, David Baldacci, Lee Child, and a few others...mostly thrillers. Okay, all thrillers! I have some vacation time planned for the end of summer, when I intend to catch up on some reading after long days of hiking in Glacier Nat'l Park!
What are you reading this summer?
What are you reading this summer?
Chuck Barrett
Are we talking romantically involved couple or duo?
Chuck Barrett
Absolutely! As a matter of fact, the next book out will be another Kaplan adventure. Look for it in late 2017.
Chuck Barrett
Actually, BLOWN was very easy to write. I just set the action in drive and let her rip. Most of the scenes happened as I wrote them. In other words, I had no outline or plan of action, even for the twists. Something would happen and I would just let it play out on its own. I had as many surprises as the reader...and the same ones.
I had a wonderful group of subject matter experts who kept me in line and on track as far as procedure or subject matter...like the Mafia.
Life got in the way a couple of times and interrupted the writing process, but not to a great extent. I was still able to crank it out in a reasonable amount of time.
Thanks for your question... and SO SORRY it took so long to reply.
I had a wonderful group of subject matter experts who kept me in line and on track as far as procedure or subject matter...like the Mafia.
Life got in the way a couple of times and interrupted the writing process, but not to a great extent. I was still able to crank it out in a reasonable amount of time.
Thanks for your question... and SO SORRY it took so long to reply.
Chuck Barrett
This answer contains spoilers…
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Chuck Barrett
Don't stop writing...AND DON'T STOP READING! Sorry for yelling. Reading is critical to good writing. Don't get discouraged and give up when things don't work out the way you planned...they rarely do. Keep at it. The more you write, the better your writing gets.
Chuck Barrett
I assume you mean other than being able to torture and kill people and NOT go to jail! :-) There are actually several great things about being a full-time writer. The first is being able to watch a story unfold as I type and be just as surprised as the reader will be! And, yes, that does happen. All I do is plot the main story line, after that the story just develops on its own. I know where everything will lead and what will happen at the end...how the story gets there is always a mystery.
Another wonderful thing about being a writer is that I can do it from anywhere. I don't have to be in my office at home...I can writer from a coffee shop, while on vacation...pretty much anywhere.
Another wonderful thing about being a writer is that I can do it from anywhere. I don't have to be in my office at home...I can writer from a coffee shop, while on vacation...pretty much anywhere.
Chuck Barrett
As with most of the books I've written so far, the majority of the plot ideas come from newspaper articles. I find several that I like and apply the 'what if' factor to them. Next I try to create an intriguing nexus between them, add my "3M" formula (Murder, Mystery, Mayhem) and the next thing I know, a story is born.
Chuck Barrett
I just finished researching a new book and have almost finished plotting the storyline. I will start writing at the beginning of 2015. The wheels for the next release are now in motion and should be released in mid-May. Sign up for my newsletter list to be the first to be notified.
Chuck Barrett
Writer's block or the rather the lack of ideas hasn't been a problem, I have plenty of ideas. What I consider a problem sometimes is when the words and sentences don't flow like I want them to. The words feel stilted and rough. When that happens I will stop writing, pick up one of the many books I have piled up, and read. Reading is like giving my writing mind a vacation. Reading will help any writer: not only to overcome writer's block but also to improve their writing. Reading is fundamental to good writing skills.
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