Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As an English major, my bent has ever been toward the written word; I’m an avid reader and like to be entertained, so I usually read fiction with occasional forays into non-fiction — biographies and the like. In addition, I read the weekly U.K. Spectator, covering international news, opinion pieces, entertainment and the arts. My resume includes some wonderful jobs, including Playboy magazine at its Chicago home office and another interesting position in the Department of University Graphics and Publications at Southern Illinois University where I worked with writers and editors as well as artists and designers.
When I left Playboy the Editorial Department asked for me and I still mentally kick myself for declining their offer because that was before I realized I wanted to be a writer. Imagine — Playboy Editorial! I could have had a foot in the door of a publishing company — and I turned it down. Duh….
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Early in our marriage my husband asked me what I would be if I could be anything I chose. I replied that I’d like to be a writer, never dreaming that I’d actually ever write a book. Well, he took me at my word and built a studio for me where I could write undisturbed and kept after me until I finally wrote, The House of Tomorrow, which would become the first of my Paul Gregory series. That was back in 1997 and I’ve now completely rewritten it, bringing it into the 21st century and cutting 10,000+ words, making it a tighter, better read. So I must admit that it was my darling husband who was my inspiration to begin writing.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I made an outline for my first book, but the characters took over and went their own ways, so I no longer bother with outlines. I have a general plan of what events will take place and a vague idea of how the story will end, but try not to force my characters to act or speak in certain ways or they will rebel. For example, in my first Paul Gregory book, the hero turned out to be more deeply flawed than I’d planned (actually making him more interesting) and the guy who was to be a despicable knave turned out to be noble and self-sacrificing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Daniel Silva, Bernard Cornwell, Martin Cruz Smith, P.D. James, Robert Crais and others write books that I greatly admire. My favorite book of all time is The Golden Warrior by Hope Muntz.
What are you working on now?
I’m well into The Gift of Rose, fourth in my Paul Gregory series. It’s quite a departure from the foregoing books and in my opinion will be the best. I hope. It will be classified as literary fiction.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Really can’t say.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I don’t feel I’m in a position to give advice, as I don’t obey any advice I’ve read from other writers. For example, I’m undisciplined. I’ve always been told I should write every day and sometimes weeks go by when I don’t write anything at all. And when I do write, it’s not easy for me. Some writers complain that while they’re working they don’t like to stop for meals or sleep; they only want to keep writing. With me, I’m continually checking the time to see if I can quit yet. Writing is a chore as far as I’m concerned.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Couldn’t say.
What are you reading now?
Tatiana, by Martin Cruz Smith.
What’s next for you as a writer?
A book called Queenie, a story loosely based on family history.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Probably the bible. Then the latest from Bernard Cornwell, Daniel Silva, Robert Crais, and The Chicago Manual of Style.
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Adair Arlen Website
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