NewFAQs

FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS

Which of your characters is most like you? "Nick Worther--no contest! He and I are a similar age, and we share many attitudes and interests. Actually, many readers who know me have suggested that Nick and Sarah are but thin impersonations of myself and my wife Joan, but I'd say that's a major stretch. On the other hand, my teenaged son claims I'm really a fictional character based on Nick, so go figure. Naturally, like all writers of fiction, I'm in all of my characters to some degree and vice-versa, of course. As for Trucker Deal, he's more like the young me: more emotional, hot-tempered, impulsive, and violent. Ouch! Once again, truth hurts!"

How do you come up with this stuff? "I close my eyes and point a finger...Well, it's not quite that easy, but ideas really are everywhere around me. Everything's a potential source: conversations, things you see, sites you visit, stories you remember from around the campfire or dinner table. Once characters develop a clear identity and motivation is established, they tend to take care of themselves. Give 'em a conflict to create action, and they'll proceed logically according to their personalities and interests. As I consider the Nick and Sarah novels howcatch'ems isn't of whodunits, they're a little different to write, since the reader has more opportunity to get into the minds and follow the actions of many different characteers simultaneously.

You write about California--Silicon Valley and beach neighborhoods. Do these places really exist as you describe them? "Monterey Bay, Seacliff State Beach, Santa Cruz County, and Aptos are real places and pretty much as I describe them, even the coastal fog, gorgeous seascapes and sunsets, the Concrete Ship, Capitola Village, and the Beach Boardwalk. It's a pretty funky area, socially-tolerant of many diverse lifestyles, and pleasantly laid-back compared to many other places I've lived or visited.

Likewise,the San Francisco Bay Area is obviously real and mutating in new and ever-surprising directions even as I speak. The tricky thing about the Silicon Valley is things change so rapidly it's hard to keep up. For example, several neighborhood businesses specifically-mentioned in Cool Deal are already gone, victims of economic realities in an era of escalating rents and social change. Is it as competitive as I suggest? You bet! And is Palo Alto as politically-correct and smug as I describe? Live there for a while and you'll either be blinded to reality or grow cynical beyond measure.

Most of the specific locations that appear in my books are absolutely real; however I've invented certain streets, shopping plazas, and other sites to facilitate the plot, and they, along with events and characters, are part of my imagination."

What do you like to read? "Almost anything that crosses my path. As a practical matter, I don't read much when I'm involved in a writing project. At some point, the recreational reading becomes a distraction and interferes with my work. As for mysteries, I couldn't begin to list all the authors I appreciate. It's a big world full of talented people. However, the last few mystery authors I read were Martin Cruz Smith, Harlan Coben, and Dick Lochte.

Are you writing anything now? "No, I'm researching a new Nick and Sarah, but I haven't started writing yet."



			FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS Which of your characters is most like you? "Nick Worther--no contest! He and I are a similar age, and we share many attitudes and interests. Actually, many readers who know me have suggested that Nick and Sarah are but thin impersonations of myself and my wife Joan, but I'd say that's a major stretch. On the other hand, my teenaged son claims I'm really a fictional character based on Nick, so go figure. Naturally, like all writers of fiction, I'm in all of my characters to some degree and vice-versa, of course. As for Trucker Deal, he's more like the young me: more emotional, hot-tempered, impulsive, and violent. Ouch! Once again, truth hurts!" How do you come up with this stuff? "I close my eyes and point a finger...Well, it's not quite that easy, but ideas really are everywhere around me. Everything's a potential source: conversations, things you see, sites you visit, stories you remember from around the campfire or dinner table. Once characters develop a clear identity and motivation is established, they tend to take care of themselves. Give 'em a conflict to create action, and they'll proceed logically according to their personalities and interests. As I consider the Nick and Sarah novels howcatch'ems isn't of whodunits, they're a little different to write, since the reader has more opportunity to get into the minds and follow the actions of many different characteers simultaneously. You write about California--Silicon Valley and beach neighborhoods. Do these places really exist as you describe them? "Monterey Bay, Seacliff State Beach, Santa Cruz County, and Aptos are real places and pretty much as I describe them, even the coastal fog, gorgeous seascapes and sunsets, the Concrete Ship, Capitola Village, and the Beach Boardwalk. It's a pretty funky area, socially-tolerant of many diverse lifestyles, and pleasantly laid-back compared to many other places I've lived or visited. Likewise,the San Francisco Bay Area is obviously real and mutating in new and ever-surprising directions even as I speak. The tricky thing about the Silicon Valley is things change so rapidly it's hard to keep up. For example, several neighborhood businesses specifically-mentioned in Cool Deal are already gone, victims of economic realities in an era of escalating rents and social change. Is it as competitive as I suggest? You bet! And is Palo Alto as politically-correct and smug as I describe? Live there for a while and you'll either be blinded to reality or grow cynical beyond measure. Most of the specific locations that appear in my books are absolutely real; however I've invented certain streets, shopping plazas, and other sites to facilitate the plot, and they, along with events and characters, are part of my imagination." What do you like to read? "Almost anything that crosses my path. As a practical matter, I don't read much when I'm involved in a writing project. At some point, the recreational reading becomes a distraction and interferes with my work. As for mysteries, I couldn't begin to list all the authors I appreciate. It's a big world full of talented people. However, the last few mystery authors I read were Martin Cruz Smith, Harlan Coben, and Dick Lochte. Are you writing anything now? "No, I'm researching a new Nick and Sarah, but I haven't started writing yet."