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Monday, October 18 2010

 

Have you ever fallen in love with a character?  

Better under pressure or at your leisure?

Best opening line of a novel?

Do you write your best after having a) a drink b) sex c) smoke d) nap ? I know the order is natural but choose one.

Dream job?

Sadly, tragedy is the great equalizer.      

Would you do something crazy to inspire your writing? What would it be and why haven't you done it yet?  

Thrillers: Do you prefer pure reality or a bit of suspension of disbelief?

Don't we all judge a book by its cover?

Craziest marketing scheme to sell books?   

Reading is the last form of entertainment that you cannot multi-task during, hence it's a full experience.

            Vote! If you don't vote, you lose your right to complain! This should apply to all.   

Flap Copy, accurate, sales pitch, or spoiler?

How many books a year do you read? Do you exaggerate this to your friends?

I wish people would educate themselves beyond a newspaper headline before speaking like an expert   

Are you formulaic in your approach or do you just write what you feel?

How many people live for tomorrow at the sacrifice of today? - The 13th Hour

Do you read reviews? Do you only listen to the good ones? Does a single bad one ruin your day?

Research... Fun, daunting, or distraction?  

Sex scenes in novels: Less is more or more details please?

What is your favorite distraction when you work or write, the one thing you can't resist putting it all on hold for?

Best book to movie translation?

Would you do something crazy to inspire your writing? What would it be and why haven't you done it yet?

Does the author photo help sell books?

Would you write in a genre you don't like for more money? Could you?  

Pen Name or Real Name... and how do you explain it to your kids?  

How far would you go to gain a fan?   

Most embarrassing fan story...?  

Would you do something crazy to inspire your writing? What would it be and why haven't you done it yet?  

Average number of rejection letters a writer receives before getting published? Do you save them? To inspire or for later revenge?

Are you more creative at night or in the morning? More productive in the am or pm? Do they coincide?

Best voice for audio books?

Do you work or write to music? If so, what kind? Who? Does it help?

Sex scenes in novels: Gratuitous, enhancing, distracting, or fun?

hardcover or paperback?

Sex scenes in novels: A writer who has run out of ideas for the moment, is moving the story forward, or living the dream?

How many rewrites to get it right? Imagine if you did it before computers!   

What's your favorite character name from a story? Do you need to name your characters before you write? 

Why is it we open our mouths far more than our ears? Imagine life if that was reversed?

Imagine if you wrote down one story idea a day, whatever popped in your head. That's 365 per YR; bet you at least one is great!

What is your favorite distraction when you work or write, the one thing you can't resist putting it all on hold for?

What is better a novelist who is a good writer or a good story teller?

What's your favorite character name from a story? Do you need to name your characters before you write?

Do you work or write to music? If so, what kind? Who? Does it help?  

Thrillers more popular than romance... Doesn't that depend on the time of day?  

If you could have written any book, what would it have been?

How many rewrites to get it right? Imagine if you did it before computers!

Do you read for the story, the characters, or the escape?

What do you wear when you write, suit, jeans, skirt, dress, bathrobe, or less? Can you only write in this attire?

Is your writer's desk clean, empty, or obscured with crap? Mine is covered w/stuff from my life & travels

With attention spans waning, should books be shorter? I'm not suggesting this... just asking.

How many of you skip to the end of a book and ruin the surprises? Do you feel guilty?

Do you write with a drink on the desk? Soda, water, beer, wine, whiskey? Does it help?

Are you more creative at night or in the morning? More productive in the am or pm? Do they coincide?

Average number of rejection letters a writer receives before getting published? Do you save them? To inspire or for later revenge?

How long does it take you to read a book?

I was told by Russian Delegate Thieves of Faith was the best description of the Kremlin ever. I didn't dare tell him I was never there.

What book have you read more than once? Loved it more on round 2, or scolded yourself for dashing your 1st impression?

As a writer is your daily goal page count, word count, or just being satisfied with one good sentence.

Just heard of this November write a book in a month thing. I wrote The 13th Hour in July 2008. 30 Days. 105,000 words. And it's backwards.  

How come there are no novelists that become celebrities? No red carpet, TMZ, Page 6 coverage. Just asking...? 

Do those who become writers after another career have an edge and more stories to tell? Patterson, Grisham, Baldacci, Rollins, etc...  

Would you rather have your book up on the screen or atop the NYT bestseller list?  

What makes a better writer... Someone who is a good listener or someone who is a good talker?

Can you tell the difference between a male and female writer by their writing style?

While you can imagine shooting a gun, you need to have had your heart broken to truly write of love.

Is it possible to be in love with more than one person at the same time? Think of the story possibilities.

I know it's fiction but amnesia may be more than a slightly overused twist.  

Would you rather 1 Mil $, happiness, or true love?  

Why do we take more risk when we are young?  

What makes a better writer... Someone who is a good listener or someone who is a good talker?

Nothing like a good Bookgasm to start your day. http://tiny.ly?kJw

Skydive, Scuba, Bungee Jump, Surf, Trapeze, BASE jump, Bridge Jump, Hang glide. Need something new, suggestions? 

Dumas & Dickens are tops, Fleming/Ludlum 4 thrills, Hemingway & Seuss 4 fun, Crichton,Vern and Wells 4 cool. How about u?

Desert island book: Any Seuss? To Kill a Mockingbird? The Bible?

Would you rather read a writer who draws from his mind or from his experience?  

Posted by: Richard Doetsc AT 04:46 pm   |  Permalink   |  3 Comments  |  Email
Comments:
1: Yes, most notably Raskolnikov and Captain Ahab. 2. Leisure. 3. "The small boys came early to the hanging." -Ken Follett, PILLARS OF THE EARTH. 4. Bath 5. Um, writer, duh. 6. "Comedy is a dead art. Tragedy--now, THAT'S funny!" -Bender, Futurama 7. Travel. Because I can't afford it (monetarily, or timewise) 8. Suspension 9. Yes I am going to skip to "most embarrassing fan story": I met my favorite poet, Edward Hirsch, at the Art Institute of Chicago but didn't realize it was him till I asked his name. Felt like SUCH an idiot.
Posted by Savannah Thorne on 10/18/2010 18:25:10
Great list of questions, thought-provoking, contemplative. My writer's desk is obscured with crap--crap is comfort when catering to the muse. Haven't done anything crazy to inspire my writing. Just give me time.
Posted by J.R. Mackenzie on 11/06/2010 22:29:08
Appreciate your list of questions. I will bookmark your site in case I need prompting with my writing. These are excellent.
Posted by mgilstrap on 11/26/2010 16:00:52

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"One of the best thrillers of the year" ABC News

"Riveting... Emotional... Amazing" The Huffington Post

"A shocking thriller" - San Francisco Chronicle

 

"A gut-wrenching read" - The Houston Chronicle

 

"Constant shocks and twists" - Today/MSNBC

 

"Grabs the readers attention and doesn't let go" - Winnipeg Free Press

Jack Keeler has seen his fate and has only until dawn before it catches up with him... and the rest of the world

Now in Paperback Feb 2011!

August 25 2010 in Hardcover

"Whip-smart and lightning-paced... This novel left me breathless and awed by the scope and scale of this story. Truly a masterwork by an exploding talent."

--James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author of Altar of Eden

 

"Doetsch handles all the elements of a classic thriller superbly... The plot offers an agreeable blend of heist drama and escape story. Knowledge from the previous St. Pierre adventures is not necessary, but readers will scramble to find them after finishing this masterpiece.  Doetsch has earned his seat at the table with other A-list thriller writers."         --     Booklist


Now Available in Paperback

"A modern masterpiece."   -- Providence Journal-Bulletin

"If there ever was a novel that deserves to be read in one sitting, this is it. With a totally original and compelling story line, The 13th Hour is one of the best thrillers of the year." -Booklist

One of the top five thrillers of the year - Library Journal