FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS



What's your latest book?
It's called THE TWO DEATHS OF DANIEL HAYES. It's hard to pick a favorite child, but I'll certainly say this one is my most ambitious. You can get more info and an excerpt here.


When is your next book coming out?
Somewhere between six months and a year after I finish it. Like how vague that answer is?


What's this about a TV show?
I'm the host and writer of a television show called HIDDEN CITY, which airs on Travel Channel every Tuesday evening, 10 ET / 9 CT. In it I explore different places by looking at their stories — specifically stories of betrayal and greed and lust and murder. You know, the good stuff.

I also drink a healthy amount of beer, say obnoxious things, train with SWAT, get attacked by a dog, land an airplane, go hunting for treasure, and sit down with some of the most fascinating people imaginable.


Where do you get your ideas?
This is one of those questions authors are asked a lot, and most of us have cute stock answers ("Target, the ideas aisle.") The reason is simple: we don't know.

Ideas can be prompted by a news story or a joke or staring at the ceiling. They come at their own pace and rarely arrive fully formed. The hard part of storytelling is rubbing bits together until a spark flies. I wish I could be more specific. Believe me, how I wish.


Do you outline your novels?
I usually have a pretty good idea of where I'm going and the general route I'll take to get there. But my process has evolved and changed with each book. They really are all different.

If you're interested in structure, I'd recommend THE WRITER'S JOURNEY by Christopher Vogler, and SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder. The first is about mythic structure; the second is no bullshit, hard-bitten advice. They're both great.


How do I become a novelist?
You write. Sorry to be glib, but that's how you do it. Also, read a lot. I mean a lot. You can't write without a long-term love of reading. It's like any trade; before you start your own work, you apprentice.

I have more concrete tips here, if you're interested.


How do I become a TV host?
I have no idea. I'm honestly quite baffled to find myself one.


How do I find an agent?
I've got a detailed article on the subject here. I wrote it shortly after I had gone through the process, and it's as hands-dirty as I can make it.


Are your characters based on real people?
Not specifically. I steal little bits from life all the time — a mannerism, a line of dialogue, a haircut. But I've never tried to replicate someone.


Do you design the covers?
Nope, the art directors at my publisher do. They're receptive to my thoughts, which I appreciate. But jacket design is a specialized field, and I'm grateful to have such talented folks working on mine.


What's up with the films?
I've been really lucky with Hollywood; three of my four novels are in development as films.

THE BLADE ITSELF went to Ben Affleck's production company for Miramax. The script is being written by Aaron Stockard, who adapted Dennis Lehane's GONE BABY GONE. Chris Pine, most famous recently for playing Kirk in the new Star Trek, is attached to star.

AT THE CITY'S EDGE was recently picked up by producer Gianni Nunnari (THE DEPARTED, SE7EN) and director Ric Waugh (FELON). Needless to say that's a combination I'm gunned about.

GOOD PEOPLE was optioned by Tobey Maguire's production company. It's being adapted by Kelly Masterson, who wrote the fan-fucking-tastic film BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD.


Do you research your novels?
That's half the joy. I've shadowed homicide detectives, ridden with gang cops, toured the morgue, interviewed psychiatrists, gone shooting with Special Forces guys, practiced picking deadbolts, been pepper sprayed, learned to make nerve gas, and a bunch of other fun stuff. I particularly love the parts that involve me wearing a bulletproof vest; my wife, not so much.

One thing that surprised me at first is that people are generally very willing to help. Everyone wants their area of expertise portrayed accurately, so it's usually just as simple as asking.


What do you like about being a writer?
Most everything. I love telling stories for a living. The process of writing has its frustrations, but also its joys (there's no high like typing "The End.") The research is incredible. I love meeting other authors. I love working on something that's purely mine.

But the best part is the idea that I kept somebody up past their bedtime, or made them miss their train stop. As a lifelong addict of story, it makes me happy to think that my work might hit other people the way books hit me.


What do you dislike?
The bad days. Weeks, really. There seems to be a time in every novel when things fall apart. You're out of sight of land, dubious of your ability to steer it home, and mistrusting your reasons for leaving in the first place. It sucks.

But thus far I've found that if I just manage to keep going, I can find my way through. Fingers crossed that keeps working.


Will you be signing near me?
I hope so. My schedule of upcoming appearances is here; I keep it up to date.


If not, where can I get signed books?
The Book Cellar in Chicago always has signed copies of my latest, and often some of the earlier ones.


Will you ever write a series?
I don't know. Probably. If I do, it will likely be broken up by standalone novels. It takes me a year to write a book, and by the time I'm done I tend to be..well...let's go with "weary" of the characters. (Thanks for coming, hope you enjoyed your stay, don't let the door hit your imaginary ass on the way out.)

I do have a couple of characters that I think could appear again, and I actually have one very minor recurring character named after a couple of my friends. They're trying to get me to make him the star of the next book.


What do you like to read?
The bulk of my reading is on the literary side, with a heavy dose of crime fiction and a sprinkling of sci-fi and fantasy. But I'll read anything good.

If you're interested, here's a list of some really excellent stuff I've read in the last few years.


Are you on Facebook or Twitter?
Both. My Facebook page is here, and my Twitter profile is here. Love to have you friend / follow me.


Do you blog?
After a year's hiatus, I'm back to blogging. I write about experiences filming HIDDEN CITY, including stories, behind the scenes stuff, and frankly whatever else I'm in the mood for.

A selection of posts from my previous blog are here.


Who maintains your website?
I do. In a past life I ran a design shop. We had a climbing wall and a bring-your-dog-to-work policy. It was fun.


What do you use to write?
Microsoft Word, on a PC. I split the time between writing at my desktop machine and taking my laptop around my house. Some days I write in front of the window, some days standing at the kitchen counter. It seems to jar things.


I wrote / Facebooked / Twittered and you didn't respond.
I'm sorry. I make a genuine effort to respond to as many people as I can, but between filming a TV show, writing novels, and, you know, having a life, sometimes I fall behind. Bad Marcus! Bad!