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Character

Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Nov 28: Preston & Child – The OGs of Collaborative Thriller Writing

Angel of Vengeance: A desperate bargain is broken. A clever trap set. And a vengeful angel will not be deterred.

Angel of Vengeance with authors Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Preston & Child continue their #1 bestselling thriller series with Angel of Vengeance as protagonists, FBI Special Agent Pendergast and Constance Greene, take a final stand against New York’s deadliest serial killer.

As well as discussing the storyline of Angel of Vengeance, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child share how they met and why they’ve written together for the past 40 years.

We explore character development throughout a series, story research, what’s next. They share what they’ve learned from each other – including an amusing tale about who owns bragging rights for writing the best (and dreaded) sex scenes. And how the authors break up their roles as they write collaboratively.

Meet Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Preston & Child)

Preston and Child’s Relic and The Cabinet of Curiosities were chosen by readers in a National Public Radio poll as being among the 100 greatest thrillers ever written, and Relic was made into a number‑one box office hit movie. They’ve collaborated together for 40 years and in addition to coauthoring the famed Pendergast series, their recent novels include The Cabinet of Dr. Leng, Diablo Mesa, Bloodless, The Scorpion’s Tail, and Crooked RiverDouglas Preston is also the author of the award-winning nonfiction book The Lost City of the Monkey God.  And Lincoln Child has published eight novels of his own, including bestsellers, Chrysalis and Deep Storm.

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Fiction, Suspense, Writers on Writing

MAR 23: Girl in Ice with Erica Ferencik

The ice caps of Greenland, a suspicious death, a frozen child who speaks a language no one’s heard of …

When linguist Val Chesterfield receives an urgent email asking for help, she reluctantly leaves the shelter of her books and studies, to head north.

Award-winning author Erica Ferencik spent a month in Greenland developing the backdrop for Girl In Ice. Today she shares highlights from the exciting boots on the ground, butt-in-the-kayak research expedition that informed her story. We also discuss character development, why she wrote the first draft before traveling to Greenland, and the inspiration behind Girl in Ice.

About Erica Ferencik

Erica Ferencik considers her MA in Creative Writing from Boston University just the beginning of her literary education. Her 35 years of writing — novels, short stories, essays, ghostwriting, 10 years of standup and sketch comedy, as well as dozens of screenplays, and a brief filmmaking stint — was her boots-on-the-ground training. Erica’s work has appeared in Salon and the Boston Globe, as well as on National Public Radio. Other novels include Into the Jungle and The River at Night.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

OCT 20: Juliette Fay with Catch Us When We Fall

Catch Us When We Fall delivers a character who seems beyond help — but is anybody ever beyond reach?

Her characters first appeared in a dream, and today we learn how Juliette Fay always knew she’d write a story about an alcoholic.

Juliette shares her research into AA, recovery, and the fears addicts often have about getting sober. How childhood trauma can shape our lives. The development of  protagonists, Cass and Scott. And what’s coming next for this bestselling author.

About Juliette Fay

Juliette Fay is the bestselling author of five previous novels including City of Flickering Light and The Tumbling Turner Sisters, a USA Today bestseller. Her book awards include: Library Journal’s Top 5 Best  Books of 2012-Women’s Fiction, a Massachusetts Book Award Must-Read Book, and Indie Next pick. Juliette is a graduate of  Harvard University.

 

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

DEC 30: Award-winning Crime Thriller Author Glen Erik Hamilton

The Van Shaw series 5th novel: A Dangerous Breed

We’re ending the year with another chance to catch listener favorite, Glen Erik Hamilton.

We discuss how Glen develops his recurring cast of characters to keep them fresh and evolving. What kind of research he did for A Dangerous Breed. And where and why Glen took creative license.

Glen also shares his perspective on the responsibilities artists have in today’s social and political culture.

About Glen Erik Hamilton

Glen Erik Hamilton writes crime thrillers. His award-winning novels have been called “outstanding” (Publishers Weekly), “perfect mix of serious crime and caper movie” (Criminal Element), and “a must-read series” (Mystery Scene Magazine). Most of Glens’ books begin and end in Seattle, and growing up on a sailboat around local marinas and docks, provided him with a unique insider advantage to writing about the Pacific Northwest.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

JUL 01: The Lost and Found Bookshop with Susan Wiggs

If you had to start over, what would you do, and who would you be?  Returning guest Susan Wiggs explores that question along with the meaning of happiness, trust, and faith in oneself in The Lost and Found Bookshop.

Susan shares her thoughts on artistic expression, how she develops her stories and characters, and the responsibility she feels an author has in portraying characters outside their own ethnic background.  She also reveals how she persevered through an incredibly tough period early in her career.

Susan Wigg’s novels have appeared in the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List, and have been translated into more than 20 languages and 30 countries.  Her recent novel, The Apple Orchard, is currently being made into a film, and The Lakeshore Chronicles has been optioned for adaptation into a series.

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