Jeff’s Comments (group member since Jun 20, 2014)

Jeff’s comments from the The Interrogation Room group.

Oh, and for young readers: Edward Eager. Laura Lippman and I are on a mission to get people reading him again. Marvelous books about bright, capable kids who encounter magic. HALF MAGIC is my all time favorite of his, a truly wonderful book that works on so many levels.

Megan wrote: "Jeff wrote: "I'm going to ask Megan a question since we didn't get to talk about it last night at the signing: what are the books that have influenced you, what books did you read when you were you..."

This was the topic we didn't get to at the signing, so I'm glad we're doing it now. As a kid I loved the books of Madeleine L'Engle. A WRINKLE IN TIME made me want to be a writer. Each summer I reread some of her books, and I always find something new to think about--she was extraordinary at writing about family. I also loved Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles, which are adventure stories based on Welsh mythology, and the Hornblower books, which hold up really well--they're very tightly written. I also read Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Robert Ludlum at a younger age.

Gerard wrote: "Is publicity easier after becoming more established and popular? Are you able to get better press and more interviews, or do you still have to keep pushing your name and new novel out there?"

Press is never easy, but yes, I think it gets somewhat easier the more established you are. But at the same time, the press can be interested in the newer writers more than the ones they've written about before. People have so many other things to do than to read books, it's hard for ANY book to get press. So yes, You have to keep at it, and your publisher has to keep at it.

Gerard wrote: "What's a bigger waste of time, Twitter or Facebook?"

They actually seem rather different to me. I use Twitter as a news feed and it's easy to share info more often. Facebook is full of people I know (so easier to waste time) but they also might be more dedicated fans. It's hard to say. Sorry for the delays in answering: Megan and I were both delayed getting out of Phoenix, and I've just gotten home, had dinner, played with dogs that missed me, and gotten onto Goodreads. :-)

We'll both be back later after our flights today...thanks for your patience! Great questions, great chat!

I'm going to ask Megan a question since we didn't get to talk about it last night at the signing: what are the books that have influenced you, what books did you read when you were younger than you have returned to, again and again?

Gerard wrote: "Favorite recent read? I read 1998's FIFTY-TO-ONE by Charles Ardai and liked it a lot."

I really did love Megan's THE FEVER, not saying that just because we're doing this chat together. It's a great book. Recently I've enjoyed AFTER I'M GONE by Laura Lippman, DOCTOR SLEEP by Stephen King, and have been rereading some Eric Ambler and Patricia Highsmith novels. Also am very much looking forward to being home so I can read Michael Koryta's newest, THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD.

Alex wrote: "Hi Megan/Jeff!

Quick question - how much of a role does theme play when starting a novel? Is it something you think develops as you write, or is it something you consciously map out as you plan? ..."

re outlining: I do a very rough outline when I start. I like to have an idea of where I'm going. It can change quite a bit as I get to know the characters better. When I'm near the final act of the book, I reoutline the whole book to make sure I've got all my scenes in order, that the emotional payoffs are well set up, etc. Fiction has to be a bit more orderly than life. :-) But some authors outline in great detail (Ken Follett, Jeffery Deaver, Elizabeth George) and others don't outline at all (Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly). You have to do what feels right for you. . .thanks!

Alex wrote: "Hi Megan/Jeff!

Quick question - how much of a role does theme play when starting a novel? Is it something you think develops as you write, or is it something you consciously map out as you plan? ..."

Hey Alex! In writing INSIDE MAN, I knew from day one that the theme would center around family--because Sam Capra was going to go undercover into a criminal family. But that's just the seed of the idea, and the execution can change the theme as you're writing. For instance, all the references to KING LEAR in the book weren't really part of the plan when I first knew I wanted to write a big international thriller that incorporated a family drama. That came over time. I think the theme really became "what do we owe our families?", just because of the nature of the story as this family began to turn on each other, and face an outside danger as well. I hope that makes sense, great question!

Gerard wrote: "Ask them questions!

Publishing question. How long does it usually take from one you consider a novel finished to that book's pub date?"

Hi Gerard: That can be up to a year. But considering I still make edits at the copyedit stage (and then minor edits on the galley, "final page" stage), it could also just be a matter of six months. Thanks!

Kenny wrote: "Hi Megan and Jeff. I hope that summer is well on your side. I would just like to ask a couple of questions. This can be answered by either one of you.

1] In your written works, does your protagoni..."

Hi Kenny: Hmm, that's a good question and I hope Megan will answer it, too. My answer is: not always. I'm not writing to advance an agenda or give my life philosophy to the world--there are writers who do that, and well, but my only goal really is to tell you a good story. That said, I do think that Sam is basically an optimist, despite the terrible things he's survived--and I am an optimist as well.
re reading noir fiction, Megan is the expert there--but noir, to me always seems a cautionary tale. Be careful what you wish for, be careful how you get what you want. I do think people read crime fiction because a) they want a great story with a strong plot and b) usually order is restored to the world. We don't always get that in real life. Last night at the signing Megan and I ended up talking about the crime novel as social novel. .where you can have a great, satisfying plot that engages a big idea (in the case of INSIDE MAN, what do we owe our families?) and the moral stakes are high. Great question, thanks!

Dhaval wrote: "For Jeff,

I have read 3 novels with Sam Capra's character. One thing I've found is interesting cocktail recipes in them.. is that something you invent yourself or someone helps you with that? It'..."

Hi Dhaval: I do research into cocktails to try and find one that will match well with the book. I'm lucky to be friends with a guy named Brad Thomas Parsons, who is a James Beard Award winner for his wonderful book BITTERS and is a cocktail expert. He's helped me design the cocktails for each of the Sam books. (and coming up with a new cocktail is actually kind of labor intensive, and I still need to do that for INSIDE MAN.)
Re parkour: don't do that when you've had one of those cocktails. :-) As I noted in another reply, I don't run parkour myself, but I have an expert runner who kindly helps me with the research. thanks!

Rob wrote: "For either or both. I'm currently finishing Face Off edited by David Baldacci. Though I seldom need more to read - just ask my wife - I've found new authors through this book. A great way to get..."

Hi Rob: FACE OFF (I haven't read it yet) seems like a really cool project--if I was asked to contribute, I'd certainly consider it. Hmm, hard to know who I'd like to pair Sam with -- maybe Myron Bolitar from Harlan Coben's novels? Or Tess Monaghan from Laura Lippman's. Or any of Megan's protagonists--although they wouldn't be old enough to go into one of Sam's bars. :-) Great question, thanks!

Albert wrote: "For Jeff, Is Sam your favorite protagonist. Do you practice Parkour?"

Hi Albert: I am very fond of Sam, but it's hard to say he's my favorite. I like all my protagonists. But Sam has a lot of mental toughness that I wish I'd had at his age, so I definitely admire him (while keeping in mind his faults and shortcomings.) Re parkour, I don't do it myself--my knees couldn't take the strain--but I am lucky to have one of the top parkour runners in the UK who has shown me what Sam's runs would be like (such as the one at the beginning of ADRENALINE) and kindly helps me with that part of the research. Thanks for the question!