(This interview was conducted last spring before Castle went missing.)

RAGING HEAT, the latest Nikki Heat novel from Kingswell is on sale Sept 16th. You can follow him on Twitter @WriteRCastle. And tune in on ABC Sept 29th to find out the latest!  

Erica Ruth Neubauer: How much do you think the Nikki Heat series is like your real-life relationship with Detective Beckett?

Richard Castle: I like to think I draw from the best parts of our adventures to give my readers an unforgettable experience with every novel. A ruggedly handsome writer following a smart, sexy Detective… you can’t get more real-life than that!

ERN: Does it change how you feel about your character Derrick Storm now knowing that your real-life father is actually a spy?

RC: Wait. How do you know my father is a spy? Who are you working for?

ERN: How do you find time to write while you are working cases with Detective Beckett?

RC: It turns out there’s a lot of paperwork when you’re a cop. While Beckett stays late writing up her case reports, I go home and write my novels. I think my job’s more fun because I get to make stuff up, and I get paid more. A lot more.

ERN: How do you deal with being in danger when you are the only one not carrying a gun?   

RC: As an unarmed writer, I employ the power of my imagination to help calm my nerves. I have these little games I play. Sometimes I pretend that I’m the lead character in a TV show, and can never get hurt too badly. Honestly, the people I work with are very good at their jobs, and they have guns, so I always feel well protected.

Read the full interview at Crimespree Magazine