J.T.’s Comments (group member since Jan 05, 2014)

J.T.’s comments from the SSG: Spy/Spec-Ops Group group.

Perhaps of interest to this group on whether it takes a spy to write a spy/ops thriller. Kensington is doing a promo for Buried in Black. Free stuff, and I would say odds are pretty good.
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

I’m always a big fan of Greaney Gray Man series and Victor the Assassin.

Hi Feliks, my newest SAFE HAVENS: Primed Charge was recently released after a long government review. https://amzn.com/B01CKLJM8M

Yep, its out. And quite frankly, it doesn't get much more Spy / Spec-Ops than this. From the offices of the CIA to the basements of JSOC elements, the world of black operations is open again to readers (fictionalized, of course).

SAFE HAVENS: Primed Charge

I'd take the mall cop any day. Mall cop would only reach for a radio. Hard ear slap and leg sweep neutralizes that. Museum guy probably has a long flashlight. He'll reach for that... Up to you what happens next.

Re truth, I agree. Hardest part for me was to scale back and out far fetched to blend. Scenarios for most who have been there then wrote are probably pretty close to something. The great writers who have not experienced it, usually research it and get a lot of first hand accounts told in story form to them.

I'd say what you just described is exactly what an author is trying to target to get a reaction and visualization from the reader so you escape from reality a few pages at a time.

Although I'd like to read that you visualized punching a mall cop in the trachea, too. (Insert legal disclaimer)

Matt, that was great!

Thanks! Sound great

KGB and old Cold War is a great spy story in Red Sparrow. Also written (and approved) by a former CIA case officer.

Re OSS, Sisterhood of Spies and Undercover Girl are also great. The author worked with Donovan directly. She is a wonderful woman who did some remarkable things.

I like reading what is wrong or what is accurate. Sometime I find a "Hmmm, that could actually work."

That is exactly right. For above Secret (and maybe even Secret), the document you sign for Classified briefing is quite extensive for any and all communications. It's not the going after you that happens so much as the clearance pulls or blocks, and of course PNG from community. Fiction less so but Bissonette, Boykin, Fury, Kiriakou, etc bit it hard... not good.

DoD took less than a month. They pull you up on system, see what groups you have been cleared by, if necessary send them your book according to your read ins, and see if there are any fouls. I kept mine real clean so only a few redacts/requests for change. Now, some of late have said it may not be required. I'd at least call or send email and keep record of it. I had no probs with DOD or IC but I also minded my p's and q's. But if you are getting adjudicated for SCI, mind the process.

Elliot, if you are not TS SCI or above yet, no need for OGA review most likely. If you ever signed for Secret and above, I'd pass to DoD. Last thing you want is for your review/investigation to find something in your book and ding it as a risk.

Have any prior- DoD or OGA cleared writers found that professional review does not require a read for fiction? Mine required it but I have heard that other TS/SCI or polied writers only have to for non- fiction? I've gotten different answers from review.

I agree. I can't think of anyone else.

I wouldn't say "only" one, as that is the beauty of the wilderness of mirrors...

Suzie.

***Spoiler Warn***

I think it was only implied because of the betrayal but I don't think we know. I assumed Smiley was tracking (or had ordered) while looking for the mole and seeing if Hayden and Prideaux were "closer".

Those Wood books are great, and Eisler adds a lot of great elements from his Agency past.

There are a small handful of authors who have true life experience in the genres we write about. It doesn't make us better writers, but it does afford a different sense of realism to situations and the characters. If you are looking for some been there done that authors, I recommend Brad Taylor, Barry Eisler, and Jack Silkstone to name a few. I think the group could add more, if its of interest.

Mine blend intelligence tradecraft, analytics, and ops. I also add the family dynamic and internal demons that arise. For those who care to check it out, it is on 99 cent promo for another day. It's called Safe Havens: Shadow Masters (A Sean Havens Black Ops Novel).

http://www.amazon.com/SAFE-HAVENS-Sha...