Writers On The Beat: Crime Writers and Crime Fighters

The writing team known as Imogen Kealy stepped into the Interrogation Room to answer a few questions about their writing, craft, and co-writing partnership. Comprised of American screenwriter Darby Kealey and British novelist and television director Imogen Robertson, their first project is entitled LIBERATION, and it details a part of the story of real-life WWII hero Nancy Wake. Darby and his producer first found Ms. Wake’s story and he composed a screenplay which is currently being adapted into a feature film by Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway. In addition to discussing craft elements essential to screenwriting and concise creative works, our conversation touched on a number of topics relevant to every novelist who wants to turn their words into market success. This is among the most informative episodes of this podcast, and you'll notice the bias for Nancy and her story.

In this episode, Imogen, Darby, and Gavin Reese discussed co-writing partnerships; critical elements of fiction and screenplays; the accuracy demanded of historical fiction and thrillers; and their hopes that writers help pay tribute to more under-sung heroes like Nancy Wake.

LIBERATION:

Nancy Wake autobiography:

https://www.amazon.com/White-Mouse-Nancy-Wake-ebook/dp/B00B3OBVWS/

Nancy Wake biography by Peter FitzSimmons:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007HFBG5E/

Gavin's works:

Gavin's site:

#writersbeat #writerslife #writerscraft #amwriting #amwritinghistory #amwritingthrillers #amwritingsuspense #historicalfiction #historicalthriller #truestory #screenplay #annehathaway #TheBlacklist #sheroes #WWII #espionage #frenchresistence #frenchunderground #nancywake #liberation #thewhitemouse #imogenkealey #imogenrobertson #darbykealey #showdonttell #getinlate #book #podcast #interview #director #screenwriter #author #bestseller #novel #novelist #creativewriting #historicalwriting  #gavinthecop #gavinreese

Debut author Elle Marr steps into the Interrogation Room to clear up a few things about her writing, craft, and research. Originally from Sacramento, California, Elle spent considerable time and effort exploring Southern California’s urban wilderness before ex-patting to France. She lived in Paris for three wine-and-cheese-filled years, during which she earned a master’s degree from Sorbonne University. Now back in the US, Elle lives and writes near Portland, Oregon, and her first published story is not to be missed. 

For this episode, Elle and host Gavin Reese discuss her experiences as an ex-pat and master's student in France; self-taught writing craft; the Paris underbelly; and who Elle would choose to investigate her homicide. 

#writersbeat #writerslife #writerscraft #amwriting #amwritingfiction #amwritingthrillers #amwritingsuspense #fiction #mystery #thriller #suspense #expat #paris #france #catacombs #themissingsister #ellemarr #sorbonne #normandy #gavinthecop #gavinreese #nanowrimo #20booksto50k

Former Army Ranger and police sniper Joshua Hood steps into the Interrogation Room to clear up some questions on his writing and craft. His latest release, THE TREADSTONE RESURRECTION, continues Robert Ludlum's beloved Bourne series with a new character, Adam Hayes.

For this episode, Josh and host Gavin Reese discuss his journey to becoming a bestseller; his work ethic; realities of police and military life; and who should investigate Josh's hypothetical murder.

Josh's works:

Josh's site:

Gavin's works:

Gavin's site:

#writersbeat #writerslife #amwriting #amwritingfiction #writerscoach #wtiersmentor #writerscraft #craftofwriting #writer #author #novel #novelist #bestseller #treadstone #bourne #jasonbourne #ludlum #robertludlum #resurrection #joshuahood #joshhood #torturedauthor #police #sniper #ranger #army #82nd #airborne #gavinreese #gavinthecop 

Hilary Davidson steps into the Interrogation Room to clear up a few things about her characters and craft. Hilary is a Toronto-born travel journalist who migrated to NYC in October 2001, and she has since become the bestselling author of numerous nonfictions, standalone thrillers, and crime series novels. Her latest release is entitled DON'T LOOK DOWN, and it's an incredible, suspenseful thriller worthy of two reads: treat yourself the first time for entertainment, and then take a second dive through for a master class on writing intrigue, suspense, and unforgettable characters. 

For this episode of Writers On The Beat, Hilary and host Gavin Reese discuss DON'T LOOK DOWN; the crafting of effective opening scenes; research and character development; and what fictional investigators Hilary would call to assist her with a criminal investigation.

Hilary's works:

https://www.amazon.com/Hilary-Davidson/e/B0034PUF1C

Hilary's site:

https://www.HilaryDavidson.com

Gavin's works:

https://www.amazon.com/Gavin-Reese/e/B072W5PPGS

Gavin's site:

https://www.gavinreese.com

#writersbeat #writerslife #writerscraft #craftofwriting #writingcoach #writingmentor #author #writer #novel #novelist #tucsonfestival #tucson #festivalofbooks #TFOB #uarizona #craft #writing #amwriting #amwritingfiction #amwritingsuspense #amwritingthrillers #amreading #amreadingfiction #amreadingsuspense #amreadingthrillers #police #policeprocedural #crimewriter #crimewriting #crime #detective #murder #homicide #domestic #blackmail #extortion #revenge #dontlookdown #hilarydavidson #femalewriter #womenauthor #shewrites #gavinreese #gavinthecop

Acclaimed bestseller and former Green Beret LTC Brad Taylor steps back into the Interrogation Room to clear up a few things about his writing and craft.

Brad Taylor grew up in rural Texas, graduated from UT, and commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. He served more than 21 years, held numerous Infantry and Special Forces positions that included eight years in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta, and retired as a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel.

For his final assignment, Brad served as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. He holds a Master's of Science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School with a concentration in Irregular Warfare. When not writing, Brad serves as a security consultant on asymmetric threats for various agencies.

Brad's debut novel, "One Rough Man," launched the Pike Logan series to immediate success in 2011. After 14 installments and nearly 3 million copies sold, the series consistently hits the New York Times bestseller list.

For this episode of Writers On The Beat, Brad and host Gavin Reese discussed character development; keeping a series fresh and relevant; research techniques; and who Brad trusts to save him in a hostage crisis.

Brad's works:

Brad's site:

Gavin's works:

Gavin's site:

#writersbeat #writerslife #writerscraft #craftofwriting #writerscoach #writingcoach #writersmentor #author #novelist #novel #thriller #espionage #secretagent #govtagent #gman #taskforce #thetaskforce #extralegal #murder #rulesofengagement #roe #roes #russia #brazil #collusion #meddling #nearabroad #wagner #nextworldwar #nextcoldwar #pikelogan #bradtaylor #bradtaylorbooks #gavinreese #gavinthecop #covertops #covert #hunterkiller

Thriller writer Tori Eldridge stepped into the Interrogation Room to clear up a few things about her writing, craft, and authenticity.

Tori is the recipient of the 2019 Thriller Book of the Year by AOTA Global Radio Network and nominee for the Lefty Award’s Best Debut Mystery Novel. She has had several short stories and a non-fiction book on empowerment published, and Tori's a semi-finalist for the Academy Nicholl Fellowship for her screenplay The Gift. Born in Honolulu, Tori has performed, danced, and sung on Broadway, TV, and film. She is a wonderful mix of Hawaiian, Chinese, Norwegian ethnicities and holds a fifth-degree black belt in To-Shin Do ninjutsu. She’s traveled throughout the US teaching seminars on the ninja arts, weapons, and women's self-protection. She and her husband live in Los Angeles, which is where she’s based her current Lily Wong series. The debut release is titled The Ninja Daughter and its sequel comes out September 2020.

For this episode, Tori and host Gavin Reese discussed her background in writing, study, and creative craft; her extensive studies of To-Shindo Ninjitsu; mentoring women to lead empowered, confident lives; creating complex characters like Lily Wong; and what fictional characters she would wish to her rescue.

Tori's works:

Tori's site:

Gavin's works:

Gavin's site:

#writersbeat #writerslife #writerscraft #craftofwriting #amwritingfiction #writingcoach #writingmentor #lilywong #ninja #ninjadaughter #torieldridge #gavinreese #gavinthecop #vigilante #amateursleuth #revenge #justice #toshindo #moralityofviolence #morality #violence

Critically acclaimed bestseller and longtime investigative journalist Hank Phillippi Ryan steps into the Interrogation Room to answer a few questions about her writing and craft. Hank began work as a reporter more than four decades ago, and her efforts have made a substantial and meaningful difference in the lives of her Boston-area neighbors. Her eleven bestsellers are frequently submitted for numerous literary awards, and they routinely earn acclaim from fans and critics alike.

For this episode, Hank and Writers On The Beat host Gavin Reese discuss her recent release, THE MURDER LIST; her point-of-view choices and character development; conflict in thrillers; her just-finished 12th-novel draft; and who should investigate her hypothetical murder.

Hank's works:

Hank's site:

Gavin's works:

Gavin's site:

#writersbeat #writerslife #writerscraft #craftofwriting #writingcoach #writerscoach #writingmentor #writersmentor #amwritingfiction #domesticsuspense #legalthriller #thriller #murder #homicide #bestseller #author #novelist #murderlist #hankpryan #hpryan #hankphillippiryan #reporter #journalist #investigation #eyewitness #investigator #privateeye #privatei #privateinvestigator #gavinreese #gavinthecop

Daniel H. Wilson steps into the Interrogation Room to clear up a few things about his writing and craft. Daniel is a Cherokee citizen and author of the NYT bestselling "Robopocalypse" and its sequel "Robogenesis," as well as "How to Survive a Robot Uprising," "The Clockwork Dynasty," and "Amped." He earned a PhD in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as Masters degrees in Machine Learning and Robotics. His latest novel is an authorized stand-alone sequel to Michael Crichton’s classic "The Andromeda Strain," called "The Andromeda Evolution." 

For this episode, Daniel and Writers On The Beat host Gavin Reese discuss carrying on Crichton's incredible legacy; writing in his own voice; the most likely avenue to the robot uprising; and why androids should investigate his murder. 

Daniel's works:   https://www.amazon.com/Daniel-H-Wilson/e/B001JP1TYG

Daniel's site:   https://danielhwilson.com

Gavin's works:  https://www.amazon.com/Gavin-Reese/e/B072W5PPGS/

Gavin's site:   https://gavinreese.com

#writersbeat #writerslife #writerscraft #craftofwriting #writingmentor #writingcoach #amwritingfiction #amwriting #amreading #andromeda #andromedastrain #andromedaevolution #michaelcrichton #crichton #danielhwilson #robotics #scifi #sciencefiction #gavinthecop #gavinreese

Critically acclaimed bestseller JJ Hensley stepped into the Interrogation Room,  just to clear a few things up.  JJ's published works include a short story and five novels, counting the recently released RECORD SCRATCH. His debut novel, RESOLVE, was a finalist for the International Thriller Writers Awards – Best First Novel. JJ has worked as a local cop, a special agent with the US Secret Service, and now works for FLETC, the Federal Law Enforce Training Center. 

In this episode, JJ and host Gavin Reese discuss the realities of Secret Service work, how his previous experience as a cop and Special Agent invade his work, and how Agatha Christie ruined the crime genre for all of us.

JJ's works:

JJ's blog:

https://hensleybooks.wordpress.com/category/welcome/

Gavin's works:

For more information:

#writersbeat #amwriting #amreading #amwritingfiction #thriller #espionage #writerslife #gavinthecop #gavinreese #police #policeprocedural #detective #conspiracy #conspiracyseries #writingcraft #nanowrimo #writingcoach #usss #secretservice #specialagent #fletc 

Thriller icon and acclaimed bestseller Stephen Coonts steps into the Interrogation Room to clear up a few things. Stephen studied political science before commissioning into the US Navy and entering flight training. In 1969, he joined an A-6 Intruder Attack Squadron, completed two combat cruises aboard the USS Enterprise, and later served as an A6 flight instructor. Steven left the navy in 1977 and graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1979.

In 1986, Naval Institute Press published his first novel, FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER, and it spent 28 weeks on the NYT bestseller list before appearing on the big screen in 1991. He’s since been published in nearly four-dozen novels, nonfictions, and anthologies. Steve co-authored a nonfiction entitled Dragon’s Jaw that published in May, and his most recent novel, THE RUSSIA ACCOUNT, just released last month.

For this episode, Stephen and Writers On The Beat host Gavin Reese discussed the longevity of Jake Grafton and the impact of his stories; the study of creative writing and critical elements of fiction; his advice for aspiring writers; and why Nero Wolf should investigate Stephen's homicide.

Stephen's works:

Stephen's site:

Gavin's works:

Gavin's site:

#writersbeat #writerslife #writerscraft #writersblock #writerscoach #writersmentor #amwritingfiction #thriller #espionage #noir #1stpov #pov #writer #author #novelist #bestseller #icon #stephencoonts #therussiaaccount #russiaaccount #russia #jakegrafton #cia #moneylaundering #orgcrime #organizedcrime #mob #russianmob #estonia #estoniabank #mafia #russianmafia #euromafia #euromob #gavinthecop #gavinreese