TERRY GOODKIND

Jonathan (jsbull)

QUESTION: Were Richard's personal morals/ethics inspired by your own?

 

Sure. In many ways, Richard is my alter ego.

 

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Brad W

QUESTION: Who were the real Richard and Kahlan that inspired you to write Wizard’s First Rule?

 

There were no such people. I created them both. I wanted them to be the kind of people I look up to.

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QUESTION: And when you decided to kill off ********* did you always envision having *** die the way he did, or did you want him to die in a blaze of Wizard’s Fire?

 

I always disliked the cliché of a “heroic” or “meaningful” death. It’s been done to death. (Pun intended.) I believe in heroic and meaningful lives. Death is rarely heroic, except for things such as a soldier in battle saving his buddies, or a mother who runs into a burning house to save her children. But that’s rare. Death is almost always tragically sorrowful and usually unexpected. I wanted his death to be the way death is in real life, the way death suddenly and unexpectedly changes everything. A drunk driver hits a family as they are going to the store. The mother and three children are killed. That’s real life. It is not heroic. A person dying a slow death from disease is agonizing. That’s death in real life. I wanted ****'s death, because his life was so meaningful, to be rather pointless and tragic. Just like real life. I don’t want to glorify death. I want to glorify life.

 

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Roxanne T.

QUESTION: Where do you find your inspiration for your stories and what is your favorite way to write? (Do you prefer pen and paper over a computer? Do you like to sit on your porch with a cup of coffee, etc.?)

 

For me, inspiration is entirely internal. I was born a writer. It’s in me. I guess you could say I came with it pre-packaged in my brain. I write from my need to write, not from inspiration. I have dyslexia, so I have difficulty with technicalities of writing, such as spelling. So, for me, a computer is invaluable. I always write on my computer, at my desk and never anywhere else.  I write seven days a week. Some people thrive in a busy environment. I thrive in solitude.

 

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Timo van B

QUESTION: Some readers say that reading the world you created, the stories of Richard and Kahlan, or even one specific event in the series changed the way they see life. Being its creator, to what extent has this happened to you?

 

I guess the event that most changed my life was having WIZARD'S FIRST RULE accepted by my agent. Everything was different after that. But as far as what scene in the series changing my life, it doesn’t really happen like that for me because these stories come from within me. They are already part of me. They have to be in order for me to be true to the characters when I write their stories. I have to know them in my own mind so that I can tell their story. They did not come into my life, externally, the way they do for a reader. So, for that reason, they can’t change me. They are me. That is not to say that certain scenes weren’t deeply emotional for me to write.

 

I think my characters touch people because they touch me. After all, I spend my life with them. I am beyond gratified by all the stories I’ve heard of how the books have changed people’s lives for the better. Those stories are humbling. In truth I’m just a simple guy who loves to write stories. When they touch people’s hearts, well, that’s just the best possible thing I can imagine. It makes all the hard work more than worth it. It often keeps me going when I feel overwhelmed.

 

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Crystal R

QUESTION: What has been your favorite book to write so far? Do you have a least favorite?

 

I loved writing them all, so I don’t have a least favorite. They are all my children, so to speak. But as far as which one I actually enjoyed writing the most, hands down, that would be THE GIRL IN THE MOON. Without a doubt the most enjoyable writing experience I’ve ever had. That book is Terry Goodkind unleashed.

 

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Sam 

QUESTION: Do you ever come back to Omaha?

 

No, I’m afraid I never do. I’m home writing all the time, seven days a week, including holidays. If I were to travel, I couldn’t write. A few weekends a year I get to drive a race car, otherwise, I’m always working.

 

Q Which is your favorite book? 

 

My favorite book is THE GIRL IN THE MOON, in part because I had a blast writing it and I love Angela’s spirit, but at other times there are others that are my favorite. For example, it was a wonderful experience writing THE SKY PEOPLE because it allowed me to explore a different kind of story, and that book is a treasure to me. It was like a vacation for my brain. I hope you will read it! And, of course, I loved writing the Children of D’Hara.

 

Q Does it come naturally, or do you really have to try hard?

 

Writing is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and because of that, the most gratifying and eternally absorbing.

 

Q Do you ever read your own books?

 

I do read my own books, many times, actually, because they must be edited and proofread, etc. When I get the page proofs that’s the first time I get to sit back and read the book all at once, the way readers will experience it. 

 

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Brandon T

QUESTION: Everyone always talks about how great a host you’ve been in the past at your signings. Will you ever do more? Would be quite the opportunity to meet the man behind the universe that has reached so many. Thanks.

 

I always have a great time meeting readers. Everyone is always incredibly kind, and I hear many humbling stories. It truly is amazing. Many times, I have been brought to tears by the stories readers share with me. It’s both an emotional and rewarding doing events. I don’t have any events planned right now. I have books to write and doing events takes a lot more time than you might think. I’m a slow writer so I have to keep working at it. Events also breaks up the flow of writing. It takes me a long time to “go behind the curtain” and get into the book I’m working on so that I’m there in that world in order to see it, feel it, smell it, hear it. When I take time away for anything, such as events or travel, it pulls me out from that world and then it takes quite a lot of effort to get back into the rhythm of the world and the story, to get back behind the curtain. That delays books and cuts down on the stories I’m able to write. Any time I’m away my current story haunts me.

 

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Nickoly G

QUESTION: Will there be audio versions of each episode in THE CHILDREN OF D’HARA series?

 

The audio editions of THE CHILDREN OF D’HARA are being done by Recorded Books. They are also doing the audio editions of TROUBLE’S CHILD, CRAZY WANDA, and THE SKY PEOPLE. I’m thrilled that Recorded Books always does a wonderful job.

 

It is worth noting at this point that all of my books are available in print, eBook, and audio. Most are also available in a wide variety of foreign countries.

 

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Karen K

QUESTION: How many books will there be in the Nicci Chronicles series?

 

The Nicci Chronicles is 4 books in total. Tor, the publisher, told me that there was not enough reader support, so they were dropping the series and they wanted me to wrap up the story in book 4. Therefore, HEART OF BLACK ICE, the fourth book, is the concluding book of the series. Since no publisher is interested in doing more, these are the only four there will ever be in that series.

 

However, when one door closes, another opens. With that series ended, it gave me the time to start another series that I’ve always wanted to write.

 

Thus, CHILDREN OF D’HARA was born. . . .

 

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Kyle L

QUESTION: Do you have plans for a sequel to ever come of THE LAW OF NINES and if so, will you strengthen the ties to the world of Richard and Kahlan?

 

The children of D’Hara, while not a sequel, is that connection of THE LAW OF NINES to the world of Richard and Kahlan. By the end of the final episode, INTO DARKNESS, you will come to understand THE LAW OF NINES in a larger context. A lot of pieces of the puzzle come together in the Children of D’Hara. I think you will be astounded, thrilled, surprised, and pleased. It has been exciting for me to write about those links.

  

I’m gratified that readers are finally beginning to discover THE LAW OF NINES and finding out for themselves what a really cool story it is. For those who have read it, the Children of D’Hara will finally reveal things you have long wondered about. It answers a lot of questions and reveals things you can’t even imagine!

  

THE LAW OF NINES is still available, so if you haven’t read it yet, do so now and discover what a terrific story it is, both as a stand-alone novel, and for its connection to Richard and Kahlan’s world. 

 

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Carla O

QUESTION: How long do you spend writing?

 

Other than a couple weekends a year that I take off to go to the track and drive a race car, I write seven days a week, including holidays. For me, writing requires my full attention, all of the time. I think about the story when I lie in bed at night. I think about it when I wake up in the morning. I think about it every bit of time in between. For me, writing takes place in my mind. It isn’t accomplished at the keyboard, so it’s hard to say where one part leaves off and the other part takes over. Even when I’m at the keyboard, I will do things like run an errand and while I’m out my brain will be working on the story and I continually think of things I need to be sure are in there so that the story is clear and flows.

 

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Brian P

QUESTION: Will you be doing any book signings? I’d love to come get a signed book.

 

I love to have the opportunity to meet fans and sign their books. It’s always a great time and lots of fun for everyone. I have the best fans in the world. But no events are planned for the near future. I have books to write! Beyond that, we will just have to see how things work out. Maybe when my next big book comes out. But, basically, I’m a slow writer and I have to keep my nose to the grindstone.

 

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Tiff C

QUESTION: How do you pronounce the main character’s name?

 

To better understand the pronunciation, let’s break it down into it’s two syllables: Rich-ard. The first syllable is pronounced the way you would pronounce the word for a wealthy person. The second syllable is pronounced either “erd” or “ard.” Put them together and you have Richard. There you have it. Or did you mean the other main character, Kahlan?? ;)

 

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Bill C

QUESTION: Favorite color shirt?

 

Black. Nice and tactical.

 

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Mike H

QUESTION: As you write each of your stories do you mostly know, in your mind, the beginning middle and ending, or do you let the story unfold as you write? In other words, do you, knowing each and every character as you do, allow them to live and breath and react as you know they would carrying the story in a direction you might not originally thought it would?

 

That never happens. I know the whole story — beginning, middle, and end. I never let characters run off and do their own thing. I could never write that way. Chaos is not a plan and for me the results would be disappointing. The books always turn out as I had intended, but that’s not to say that I envision ahead of time all the little details, nuances and emotions of every single scene. And, sometimes I have to expand on a plot point as I go along to tell the story in a logical way.

 

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Sarah B

QUESTION: How do you celebrate finishing a manuscript? Do you take a vacation? Do you dive into the next one? How long do you give yourself to recuperate in between projects?

 

When I finish a manuscript, I get very depressed. I hate being thrown out of the world. It’s a horrible feeling to no longer be able to go there every day and be with my imaginary friends. The only antidote is to mope about for a while and then get right into the next one.

 

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Karen C

QUESTION: If you were asked by someone who had not yet read your work, why read it, how would you respond?

 

When I was in school, I was assigned intimidating books that I couldn’t relate to. As a consequence, I thought “reading” meant being bored to death. For this reason, I try my best to write entertaining books that are easy to read and not at all intimidating. I don’t want to get between readers and the story. I don’t want people to even notice the author. I simply want them to have a great time. So, for a great time, call Terry.

 

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Kristen G

QUESTION: Mr. Goodkind, you are my hero! I named my cat after Zedd, he is one of my favorite characters. What was your inspiration for Zedds character?

 

Great name for an inscrutable cat! I envisioned Zedd as a source of knowledge when it was needed, but also a character who was surprised and astonished by many of the things Richard did and discovered. In a way he gave Richard a yardstick against which to measure himself. He was someone Richard could turn to for advice, support, and comfort. I also wanted him to be a bit quirky and funny. We should all be so lucky as to have a Zedd in our own lives.

 

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Glenda D

QUESTION: Can you please tell us Zedds daughters, Richards mother’s name, or is it a huge secret for a later reveal?

 

Nice try.

 

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Jamie 

QUESTION: Have you considered or have plans for running for political offices? We really need good leaders.

 

I already have enough people who dislike what I say. I don’t need more. Although, as some of you have pointed out, I do sometimes repeat myself, so maybe I would be good at it!

 

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Bree C

QUESTION: Where would your dream vacation destination be? Wanted to ask something besides book questions

 

As far as I’m concerned, “vacation” is a dirty word. I dislike the very concept of a personal vacation. I love writing more than anything else in the world, so “vacation,” to me, is more like “being forced away from what you love.”

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Jay M

QUESTION: What is your favorite movie &/or television series?

 

There are so many that I like! OBLIVION, GALAXY QUEST, ENEMY OF THE STATE, RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER, JACK REACHER, JOHN WICK, KING ARTHUR (Guy Ritchie), LOGAN LUCKY, and of course FIREFLY... Gosh, with so many great movies and TV shows that I really love it’s hard to name them all. Any recommendations?

 

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Leah C

QUESTION: Would you ever consider re-releasing all the sword of truth books as a collector’s hardback for those of us who like displaying and collecting?

 

We are in the process of working with Tor to get them to re-release the Sword of Truth series with new editions. If it happens, I hope it will be a spectacular re-release of the entire SWORD OF TRUTH series. But getting publishers to do anything is something like trying to turn an aircraft carrier. We will just have to wait and see what happens.

 

I would also like to have special collector editions, but there are more obstacles that you could imagine for that to happen. It’s a great idea, though, so maybe someday it will happen.

 

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Juan Z

QUESTION: How many times did you face rejection trying to get your first novel published?

 

My story is unusual in that I was never rejected. I submitted WIZARD’S FIRST RULE, the first thing I had ever written, to the best agent in the country, he loved the book and wanted to represent me, he submitted the book to three publishers, they all wanted it, and it was finally sold at auction ten weeks after I had finished the book. This story is an example of why you can’t really use one author’s experience as a guide. Good books get published via many different routes. I believe that a good book will almost always find a way to publication.

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Solveg N

QUESTION: So, I've a question that I've wanted to ask for years. It's pretty specific but seeing my name you may understand why I'm asking. It's about the names of two of the Mord-Sith who accompanied Rikka to Aydindril. If I'm not wrong, they're mentioned again in Faith of the Fallen (both were killed by the Imperial Order Army and their heads and Agiels were displayed on pikes). Their names are Solvig and Galina. The question is, where did you get the inspiration for both names? I mean, usually naming characters has an inspiration in real life, and I'd like to know which one was behind this one. :) Thanks! 

 

Since my books are character driven, names are critically important to me. They rarely come from anyone in my life. Finding the right name is almost always very difficult for me. I have a way I want the name to fit the mood of the books, the overall naming convention of the series, as well as the nature of the character. The name has to feel right to me. They almost never come to me right away and are perfect. Most of the time I work very long and hard at finding the exact right name. If it’s an important character I usually research the meaning and origin of the name to make sure it fits. It has to feel right to me. When a name makes me antsy, I know it’s not right and I keep looking until I find that one right name. 

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Becki W

QUESTION: Do Richard and Kahlan ever get their happily ever after?

 

Read the Children of D’Hara and find out!

 

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Chris M

QUESTION: Hi Terry, my question is: How did you come up with Wizard’s First Rule?

 

I didn’t. I came up with Kahlan, and then Richard. They brought their story with them. I finally sat down to write it and I haven’t stopped since.

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Melissa 

QUESTION: While I am a reading, I find myself entering the characters. I see parts of me in so many of them. As you write are you leading the characters lives of as though you are them or do, they lead you? I see my daughter in Rachel and my dad (her grandfather in Chase). I would love to know how their lives turned out.

 

I love developing characters. I give them realistic qualities, fears, hopes, strengths, and weaknesses that we all have.  I always try to write them the way people really are. To write the story, you have to write from the point of view of one of the characters. I try my best to be true to them, to who they are and what they believe. Because of that they feel real to me, as if I’m really there with them. To me, they are my friends and I get to spend a great deal of time with them. I am the luckiest guy in the world!

 

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Tim M

QUESTION: I've read a lot about how to write a fantasy novel, character development, world setting, etc. My question is, given the sheer volume of information an author has to produce to build a world and set of characters from scratch what's an effective method to employ so as not to become overwhelmed with such a monumental task?

 

I feel I was born an author. To me those things aren’t difficult. It simply flows out naturally as I’m telling the story. As for the sheer volume of plot elements and subplots necessary to keep in track of, I keep it all in my head. Because I have dyslexia, I made up stories from as young as I can remember, but I never wrote them down because I have so much trouble with spelling and punctuation. So, I grew up keeping stories in my head, developing them in my head, expanding the threads of plotlines and subplots in my head. It just comes naturally to me to have it all gathered together in my mind. I never find it an overwhelming or a monumental task. But then again, I never read any books on how to write fantasy novels, so I didn’t have that burden weighing me down. 

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Tom L

QUESTION: Do you read the works of any other writers of Fantasy? If so what authors or series are your favourite?

 

I wish I had more time to read. On the rare occasions when I take the time to read, I really like Dean Koontz.

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Caroline F

QUESTION: What drew you to to writing the graphic sexual violence scenes in your novel The Girl in the Moon? Personally, I never finished that novel because of how upset I was over that scene, which prompted me to wonder: would you ever consider putting a warning at the beginning of your novels for like myself, who get "triggered" by such scenes?

 

Not everyone likes every book, so I certainly know what you mean. I often wish there would be warnings on all kinds of books: “Warning, this book will bore you to tears.” “Warning, the author constantly shows off, using lots of big words that you will not understand.” “Warning, the ending of this book makes no sense.” “Warning, this book treats you like a child.” “Warning, long, confusing list of obscure characters. You will need to take notes.” I certainly agree with your point that “THE GIRL IN THE MOON contains graphic violence and it’s not for everyone.”

 

But I’m sure that you would agree with me that we should not minimize or trivialize the terrible impact of sexual violence against women.

 

To truly show light, you must set it against darkness. In this book, you see the true-life nature of darkness. I firmly believed that I had to tell Angela’s story in a realistic way in order to be true to her.

 

But if a scene is too intense for you, I can certainly understand with that. I have an easy solution. Simply skip ahead a few pages.

 

I feel sad that you stopped there and didn’t go on to learn what strength Angela finds in herself to overcome what was done to her and how she went on to change the world. I hope that someday you will simply skip ahead and finish the book. I hope you will be happy you did, and that you will come to better understand why I wrote it the way I did.

 

This is Angela’s story, told through her eyes, in her world, with the reality of what she sees and goes through. It doesn’t take the easy way out by glossing over hard truths. I felt it would be an injustice to turn a blind eye to what happened, leaving people who then don’t see the reality of it to think “she was probably asking for it.”

 

Not everyone likes every book. If I try to write it for one kind of person, it turns off another kind of person.

I wrote Angela’s story her way and with the honesty of what sexual violence really means. I felt deeply that I had to be true to her. Simple as that.

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Daniel H

QUESTION: Have you considered writing about racing? Maybe a fast-paced thriller?

 

I was able to use my racing knowledge of car control and how to drive fast into the chase scene in THE GIRL IN THE MOON. That was fun! I might do it again.

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Ben 

QUESTION: Mr. Goodkind, In your 3rd and 6th books of Sword of Truth your portrayal of the Imperial Order paints a picture of what appears to be an authoritarian socialist state. Is your rhetoric meant to make a statement against socialism in general, or specifically against communism? Additionally (I hope it’s ok to ask two in the same submission), Blood of the Fold was published in the 90s, when LGBTQ acceptance was not as prevalent as it is now. When you introduced us to Berdine, were you nervous about how your readers at the time might react to a book that featured a lesbian character? And because of society’s slightly less hostile attitude towards homosexuality in females, did you feel more comfortable bringing in the topic of a committed, loving relationship between members of the same sex with women rather than with male characters (again in terms of your audience’s reception)? Thank you for giving me the opportunity to ask you these questions.

 

With the Imperial Order, I was writing about the overarching philosophy of collectivism that has been with mankind almost from the beginning and has always been in conflict with the individual. I think that makes great fodder for dramatic stories. Faith of the Fallen shows those two opposing philosophies extrapolated. Conflict is what stories are all about. Richard believes it the power of the individual. That is why the theme of the book is “Your life is yours alone. Rise up and live it.” 

 

As far as Berdine, I didn’t give any thought at all about how anyone would react to her being a lesbian. When I’m writing, I’m writing the story for myself. I am the only audience for my stories. I rarely even give a thought to the fact that others will eventually read what I’m writing. In this case I was simply being true to Berdine. That was what mattered to me. It is her, the way she is, simple as that. I always do my best to be true to the characters. The series is, after all, called the Sword of Truth. I named it that for a reason: I wanted to write truthfully about people. There are always going to be some people who don’t like something. It’s a fool’s errand to try to please everyone.  

 

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Dijana Filo

QUESTION: How many stories have you got ready in your head right now?

 

I have lots of stories I would like to write, but I have one in particular that I’m really excited about. I’ve already started work on it.

 

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Kyle L

QUESTION: Where/how do I go about getting some of this spice soup I keep hearing about?

 

We should post the recipe on my website again. I'll have my staff do that. Staff! Staff! To the gates!

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Kyle L

QUESTION: Does pineapple belong on pizza?

 

Absolutely... (Why) Not.

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Allie 

QUESTION: Hi, Terry! My question(s) for you: Stephen King commented in a memoir that his books often write themselves and he's just along for the ride. He said his books often don't go the direction he had in mind and he's just as surprised at the outcome as the reader is. Does this same concept hold true for Sword of Truth? Or did you have Richard and Kahlan's story mapped out from start to finish in your mind? Do you have any events in the (main) series that you wish you'd done differently or just flat-out don't like looking back at it now? Anything you might have done differently? And lastly: Hope all is well with you and thank you for taking the time to chat with us!

 

I’ve heard that about Stephen King, that his books write themselves and he is just along for the ride and he doesn’t know where they are going or where they will end up. Sounds like fun! But in truth, every author has their own way of writing. For me, I’m very deliberate with every book I write. I map out the story in my head before I write it. I know exactly where I’m going. That’s not to say that opportunities don’t come along to expand on something that happens. For example, I may think that there is going to be a scene in which Richard has to fight someone. I know how it starts, the general intensity, who gets hurt, how badly, and the outcome, but I may not envision ahead of time that he throws the enemy over a table during that fight and hits him with a stuffed moose. That kind of thing happens organically as I write. You might say I envision the bones and once the entire skeleton is complete then a lot of the writing is adding flesh to the bones.

 

As far as regrets, none. I intended to write everything I wrote and I’m happy with what the way it came out. The one regret I do sometimes have is that I didn’t write certain things better, or with more clarity, or repeat myself less in certain places. I’m my own worst critic so I’m never satisfied and I’m always trying as hard as I can to always do better.

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Danielle 

QUESTION: Can you talk about writing The Sky People? I really enjoy your novellas but this one stands out by being entirely new while others are connected to larger series. How different is your approach in writing a singular story vs part of a series? Are you planning any other stand-alone novellas (or novels)? Thank you for doing this and best wishes to you and yours. 

 

It's not really any different at all. A story is a story is a story. But it is invigorating to write about something new.

 

The reason most of my books are connected to a series is because that is what publishers tell me to write. If I want to be published and pay my bills, I have to write what publishers want. But publishers are only responding to reader behavior. The flip side is that at least it gives me the opportunity to do the thing I love most: writing.

 

The problem with this is that an author gets locked into a series. People pigeon-hole an author and think “Well, he wrote that series, which I absolutely love, so that must be all he can do. If I want to read something different, I will go to a different author.” Why? That’s nuts.

 

That creates a terribly frustrating situation for authors and stifles creativity. People love the author, love his books, and love his writing style, but for some reason they think that they probably wouldn’t like anything else the author writes. So, the sales of everything but that series (Richard and Kahlan for example) don’t do well because people refuse to try something different from an author they absolutely love. It makes no sense. The result is that publishers know this and are therefore very reluctant to publish anything else by a beloved author. They only want one thing from an author —more of the same — because readers only want one thing from an author — more of the same. All the wonderful, creative stories an author would otherwise love to write, never get written, and for readers variety dwindles.

 

I was burning to tell the story of THE SKY PEOPLE, so when I was between assignments, I just had to write it. It was such a great story screaming in my head to get out, and one of the most fun stories I’ve ever written. Because publishers didn’t want to buy it (because it’s not about Richard and Kahlan), I had to self-publish it. It’s an ebook and also available in paperback. Disappointingly, readers have not supported it because even though they love my writing, they won’t try anything different from me. If readers don’t support authors, then that forces them to only write series books because that’s mostly the only kind of books people will buy from that author. In the end, it is readers, through their purchases, that tell publishers what kind of books to publish. 

 

I would love to write more stories like THE SKY PEOPLE, but it will basically have to be in my free time and self-published and earn no money because my “fans” won’t support me with anything but Richard and Kahlan books. If readers would try it and make it a huge success, then publishers would want me to write more about it. So, if you want to read more about that story, tell your friends and family to buy it! Recommendation from friends and family remain the best sales tool. 

 

As much fun as I had writing it, it ends up being a throwaway for me because few people will try it. Very depressing for an author. Ultimately, I have little free time to do things like THE SKY PEOPLE, which don’t earn me a return on my time. So, if you like something, not just from me but from any author, you need to support those books and authors who write different things, recommend them to friends and family, and review them well so that others will also want to try them. I can only write what readers will buy.

 

Unfortunately, because of this phenomenon, the only solution in the future when I want to write a different kind of book (which I’m doing now) is to find a different publisher who loves that particular book and is willing to build an audience of entirely new readers because the readers who love my Richard and Kahlan books refuse to try something different from me. That means that to write other books I want to write, I have to develop a different audience for those different books. I think that’s nuts, but that’s the way readers behave. I always read anything by an author I loved, but I’m a rare type of reader. I always love an author’s work because of his voice, his style, and his way of telling a story no matter what story he wanted to tell. But in the publishing world there are very few readers like me. Most readers refuse to try anything by a particular author that is not in the series they discovered. Crazy.

 

So, if you want to see more of these special, different stories from me (or any author) you need to try those books and support the author.

 

One of my goals as an author, is to become known for the variety of books I write. I sincerely appreciate those readers who support me by trying all the different kinds books I write. That allows me to be creative and discover new worlds.

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Dijana Filo

QUESTION: What other things do you research when you write (other than names)? Do you usially do it when you’re making a story up in your head or while you write?

 

Whenever necessary, I do as much as I can, or as needed. I love going down rabbit holes and learning more about the things I'm writing about. Research is important if you want the story to ring true, whether it was writing about how statues were carved in hundreds of years ago for FAITH OF THE FALLEN, or how nuclear bombs are made for THE GIRL IN THE MOON. I always strive to make everything not only accurate but ring true.

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Andrew

QUESTION: Is your pup a GSD? Or Belgian Malinois? Best dogs in the world! You have a great looking dog. What's his name?

 

Zimmer is a male GSD.