Joseph Finder
The classic question! Every writer will say this is the question we hate most, but when writers get together, this is the question we ask each other. What I always say is that ideas are everywhere. On the front page of the paper (and especially on the obituary page). In line at Starbucks. Waiting for a train or a plane — you always see weird stuff happening when people are traveling. The key is to notice the unusual and always be asking, "Why?" Why did that guy suddenly leave the checkout line when he got that phone call? Why did that woman just burst into tears? What would have happened if that babysitter hadn't grabbed the kid who was running toward the edge of the subway platform? Getting ideas is never the problem; the challenge is deciding which idea is strong enough to support a whole book. I'll never have enough time to write all the books I have ideas for. Thanks for asking!
More Answered Questions
Jeff Brandt
asked
Joseph Finder:
With the political world heating up (Ukraine, Putin rattling his saber, etc..) are you considering a new spy thriller/political thriller involving Russia? I love all your books, but "The Moscow Club" is still my favorite so I was wondering if you are going to return to some Russian spy/mystery thriller soon. Love your books!
ZW Armstrong
asked
Joseph Finder:
Hi Mr. Finder - just wanted to let you know that you are my favorite author. My first exposure to your work was listening to the Paranoia audio book when I was probably 10 years old. Since then I have read almost all of your novels. I live now in Germany and part of the reason I was able to learn German so well was reading your novels that I had already read in English, in German. Thank you! Question mark?
Kevin
asked
Joseph Finder:
I have a two-pronged question - How do you feel about ghost writers for authors that are still living and do you see any issue with ghost writers continuing a series after an author passes away? BTW I love your books and hope I can get to one of your MA appearances. Love to get to book signings although usually have to travel a bit to reach one. I have quite a scrapbook started.
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