Writing Between The Lines with Steve Berry
Steve Berry is no stranger to fans of the historical thriller. The heir apparent to Dan Brown, Berry regularly hits the New York Times bestseller List with his mix of historical facts and contemporary thrills. His new book, The Charlemagne Pursuit, the fourth in his Cotton Malone series, was selected as one of Library Journal's Five Best Thrillers of the year. Berry talked to contributing editor Jeff Ayers about his new novel and being Co-President of the organization.
What are the origins of Cotton Malone? Did you envision him launching a series?He was born in Copenhagen while I was sitting at a café in Højbro Plads, a popular Danish square. I love that city, so I decided Cotton would own a bookshop right there. I wanted a character with government ties and a background that would make him, if threatened, a formidable opponent. Since I personally love rare books, it was natural that Cotton would too, so he became a Justice Department operative turned bookseller who manages, from time to time, to find himself immersed in trouble. I also gave him an eidetic memory, since, well, who wouldn't like one of those? At the same time, Cotton is clearly a man in conflict. His marriage has failed; he maintains a difficult relationship with his teenage son; he's lousy with women; and he's tired of the risks that seem to follow him, even in retirement.
What sparked the idea for The Charlemagne Pursuit?
When the series was conceived, I knew there'd come a book where Cotton would confront what happened to his father. For thirty-eight years he's pondered that situation. Then, last year, I came across the book Ice, by Marianna Gosnell, which described the amazing affects of the Antarctic cold. Once I realized what was possible, The Charlemagne Pursuit was born. I chose Charlemagne because, first, he hasn't appeared in many thrillers as the main draw. Katherine Neville is the only writer I can recall who's made good use of him. But second, he's fascinating. He ruled for 47 years and lived to be 74 at a time when kings rarely reigned more than five years and people died long before age 40. He unified a continent and laid the groundwork for the formation, centuries later, of a modern Europe. Many of his policies and practices became models for western law and government. He was a visionary who surrounded himself with smart people and, for the first time, placed the needs of his subjects before royal ambition. He was so progressive that it begs the question--did he have help? Was he privy to special knowledge?
What is next for Cotton? Are you ever going to explain the origin of his name?
He'll be back for at least three more adventures. 2009's is finished. I'm writing 2010's right now and thinking about 2011. After that, we'll see. But I suspect he'll be around for a while. Readers seem to like him. Will there be some changes coming to Cotton's life? You bet. Just like in reality, his fictional world is going to receive some jolts. As to his name? I don't know. We'll see.
Library Journal chose your new novel as one of the Five Best Thrillers of the Year.
That was quite a shock and I was deeply honored. Books like mine rarely win awards or become the critic's choice. I read once that the greatest sin of a thriller writer was simply writing books people like to read. I agree. But it's gratifying to know Library Journal thought enough of my story to give it some recognition. I appreciate the selection.
How has your life changed now that you are a regular on the New York Times list?
The biggest change is that I don't practice law anymore. After 7 books, I finally decided that it was time to quit. That's been a major adjustment for me. I now understand what retired folks go through. It's certainly a change. But it's a good one. I can now devote my full attention to writing, which is what I've been working for the past 18 years to do. Now it's time to do it, so I can't complain. Other than that, my life is pretty much the same.
What is it like being an ITW Co-President with James Rollins?
He's very difficult to work with. So demanding. He has to fly first class everywhere, requires private cars, five-star hotels, and you should see his room service charges. It takes all we have to shield his extravagant spending from the ITW membership. Who's idea was it to make this guy co-president?
What is your vision for ITW over the course of your Co-Presidency?
To keep going. ITW is expanding rapidly. Our membership is approaching 900. Eliminating dues for active members last year was brilliant. I wish I could take credit for it, but David Hewson, a fine novelist and board member, came up with that idea and it's spawned a huge interest in ITW worldwide. Recently, we expanded into South Africa with a spurt of thriller writers from there joining. ThrillerFest, our yearly gathering each July in New York, continues to grow and get better each year. My plan is simply to keep the organization on track, marching forward, never looking back. We presently have four new publications scheduled for the next two years. Exciting books and audios, one and all. Innovative, too. That one quality---innovation---has been, I believe, the key to ITW's success.
And you weren't serious about Jim Rollins, were you?
Don't tell him I said it, but he's one of the finest people I know. Smart, articulate, talented. Why he puts up with me, I'll never know.
Contributing editor Jeff Ayers is the author of VOYAGES OF IMAGINATION: THE STAR TREK FICTION COMPANION Pocket
Books-November 2006. He frequently reviews thrillers for Library
Journal and regularly interviews authors for LJ, the Seattle
Post-Intellgencer, and Writer Magazine.
When the series was conceived, I knew there'd come a book where Cotton would confront what happened to his father. For thirty-eight years he's pondered that situation. Then, last year, I came across the book Ice, by Marianna Gosnell, which described the amazing affects of the Antarctic cold. Once I realized what was possible, The Charlemagne Pursuit was born. I chose Charlemagne because, first, he hasn't appeared in many thrillers as the main draw. Katherine Neville is the only writer I can recall who's made good use of him. But second, he's fascinating. He ruled for 47 years and lived to be 74 at a time when kings rarely reigned more than five years and people died long before age 40. He unified a continent and laid the groundwork for the formation, centuries later, of a modern Europe. Many of his policies and practices became models for western law and government. He was a visionary who surrounded himself with smart people and, for the first time, placed the needs of his subjects before royal ambition. He was so progressive that it begs the question--did he have help? Was he privy to special knowledge?
What is next for Cotton? Are you ever going to explain the origin of his name?He'll be back for at least three more adventures. 2009's is finished. I'm writing 2010's right now and thinking about 2011. After that, we'll see. But I suspect he'll be around for a while. Readers seem to like him. Will there be some changes coming to Cotton's life? You bet. Just like in reality, his fictional world is going to receive some jolts. As to his name? I don't know. We'll see.
Library Journal chose your new novel as one of the Five Best Thrillers of the Year.
That was quite a shock and I was deeply honored. Books like mine rarely win awards or become the critic's choice. I read once that the greatest sin of a thriller writer was simply writing books people like to read. I agree. But it's gratifying to know Library Journal thought enough of my story to give it some recognition. I appreciate the selection.
How has your life changed now that you are a regular on the New York Times list?
The biggest change is that I don't practice law anymore. After 7 books, I finally decided that it was time to quit. That's been a major adjustment for me. I now understand what retired folks go through. It's certainly a change. But it's a good one. I can now devote my full attention to writing, which is what I've been working for the past 18 years to do. Now it's time to do it, so I can't complain. Other than that, my life is pretty much the same.
What is it like being an ITW Co-President with James Rollins?
He's very difficult to work with. So demanding. He has to fly first class everywhere, requires private cars, five-star hotels, and you should see his room service charges. It takes all we have to shield his extravagant spending from the ITW membership. Who's idea was it to make this guy co-president?
What is your vision for ITW over the course of your Co-Presidency?
To keep going. ITW is expanding rapidly. Our membership is approaching 900. Eliminating dues for active members last year was brilliant. I wish I could take credit for it, but David Hewson, a fine novelist and board member, came up with that idea and it's spawned a huge interest in ITW worldwide. Recently, we expanded into South Africa with a spurt of thriller writers from there joining. ThrillerFest, our yearly gathering each July in New York, continues to grow and get better each year. My plan is simply to keep the organization on track, marching forward, never looking back. We presently have four new publications scheduled for the next two years. Exciting books and audios, one and all. Innovative, too. That one quality---innovation---has been, I believe, the key to ITW's success.
And you weren't serious about Jim Rollins, were you?
Don't tell him I said it, but he's one of the finest people I know. Smart, articulate, talented. Why he puts up with me, I'll never know.
Contributing editor Jeff Ayers is the author of VOYAGES OF IMAGINATION: THE STAR TREK FICTION COMPANION Pocket
Books-November 2006. He frequently reviews thrillers for Library
Journal and regularly interviews authors for LJ, the Seattle
Post-Intellgencer, and Writer Magazine. ThrillerFest
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