This month's interview is with bestselling legal and political thriller author, Kenneth Eade, who spent 30 years practicing law before publishing his first novel, An Involuntary Spy.
Below is a short bio taken from Kenneth's website, followed y my interview with him:
Bio
Described by critics as "one of the strongest thriller writers on the
scene," Author Kenneth Eade, best known for his political and legal
thrillers, practiced law for
30 years before publishing his first novel, "An Involuntary Spy." Eade,
an up and coming author in the legal thriller and courtroom drama
genre, has been described by critics as: "Brilliant
when it comes to creating complicated, intriguing stories with
mind-blowing surprises," who have said that his novels "will remind
readers of John Grisham, proving that Kenneth Eade deserves to be
put on the same lists with the world's greatest thriller authors."
When did you first
realize you wanted to be a writer?
I guess it was when I was
a kid. I made a "newspaper" which was complete with
illustrations and even a comic strip, ran off copies and sold it to my parents
and their friends. Even my dad's boss was a regular subscriber.
What are you working on
right now?
It's a very different
kind of novel, but fits into the Brent Marks Legal Thriller Series as Book 9.
The book is called "Beyond All Recognition" and is about a
young Captain in the Army who comes back from four tours in Iraq, and, in the
midst of dealing with his demons and trying to get back to a "normal"
life, he is reinstated to active duty and accused of murder in a general court
martial.
How does your work differ
from others of its genre?
Some people classify it
as "faction", which is a mix between fact and fiction. The
stories are always fictional, but usually revolve around a contemporary issue.
Some of the issues touched upon include: generically engineered foods,
police brutality, homophobia, cyber bullying, and civil rights. A small
percentage of the population whose beliefs are set in stone and always will be
are sometimes offended because they think my work is too "liberal" or
"leftist". My politics cannot be classified in any pigeon-hole.
these books were written to open eyes. I believe that if you tend
to get offended by political fiction, you should avoid reading it.
Why did you choose the
genre you write in?
The genres can be loosely
classified as political fiction, but I write two series; one is in the legal
thriller genre and the other in the espionage genre. I chose them because
What is your work
schedule like when you're writing?
Sometimes I write for
hours on end, sometimes just for a little while. I have to have complete
concentration when I write because I get into the story and live there in order
to tell it.
How much research do you
do before and during a writing project?
Before a project, it is
necessary to get acquainted with the subject or issue. During, it is
absolutely essential to constantly do research to make the story seem real.
Currently, I am consulting with people who have served in the military
for a feeling of it, as I have no service or combat experience.
How does your writing
process work?
A book takes on its own
life. Although I am the architect, sometimes I just have to follow where
it goes. In that way, my style of writing kind of breaks away from
others. I usually have a rough, not detailed outline of what happens.
Then, for each chapter, it is more or less its own story. I often
walk my dog (I know it may sound funny) just to get out in the fresh air and
think, "what happens next"? It clears the mind and brings new
ideas to the surface. It is also important for me to get into the story
and feel it. I live it. Of course, I feel very comfortable stepping
into the story behind the mask of Lawyer Brent Marks, because that is a role I
have played all my life.
What other authors do you
read?
The classics, like
Steinbeck, Dickens, and I also read in my own genre. I read Connelly more
than Grisham, and I like contemporaries like Paul Levine and Harlen
Coben.
What do you like to do
when you're not writing?
I like to read. I travel
a lot and that gives me many opportunities for reading. I also like to
play golf, which I guess is also about being out in the fresh air and nature
and clearing the mind.
Do you hear from your
readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I usually have at least
one or two emails from readers every day. Most of the emails tell me how
much they have enjoyed a particular book they are reading or have read.
Others ask questions or give their impressions. I enjoy the
interaction with my readers.
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