070: How to Persevere as a Writer - Interview with Robert Crais

Hey there Word Nerds. I’m so excited to bring you this interview today with Robert Crais, a #1 New York Times bestselling author of crime fiction.

In this episode, we talk about how to persevere as a writer, and let me tell you, if anyone can speak to this subject it's Robert Crais. He began his career as a TV writer, working on some of the biggest crime dramas. This experience has shaped his perspective on writing novels, and has taught him numerous writing skills.

Listen in hear Robert's insights about what you can learn from writing outside your comfort zone. You'll hear about his journey from writing for TV to writing novels, and what writing for the screen taught him about crafting stories for the page.

Plus, animal lovers (especially dog-lovers) will get a kick out of this this episode because you'll hear Robert talk about how captured the POV of Maggie, the K9 hero in his latest book The Promise. Unlike other books that anthropomorphize animals, making them seem like humans in an animal body, Maggie feels very real. The sections in her point of view are quite true to how you would imagine a dog perceives the world.

I think Office Cat could sense the animal-friendly vibe during this interview, because she cuddled up to the mic while we were recording this episode. (Bonus points to anyone who can hear her purring in the background.)

In this episode, Robert and I discuss:

• Capturing animal characters’ perspectives in your writing.
• The process of optioning the film rights for your writing.
• How writing for TV prepared Robert for writing novels.
• The challenges of writing a novel versus writing for the screen.

Plus Robert's #1 Tip for Writers.

About the Author

Robert Crais is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of nineteen previous novels, fifteen of them featuring private investigator Elvis Cole and his ex-cop, ex-Marine partner Joe Pike. His novels have been translated into more than forty languages and are global bestsellers in more than sixty nations. Nominated for every major crime-writing award (for a total of twenty nominations), Robert has won the Anthony, Barry, Shamus, Macavity, Gumshoe, and Ross Macdonald awards, among others. In 2014, he received a Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America, which represents the pinnacle of achievement in mystery writing. A native of Louisiana from a family of police officers and oil refinery workers, he lives in Los Angeles with his wife, three cats, and many thousands of books. 

If you want to learn more about Robert and his amazing books, follow him on Facebook and Instagram, or visit his website.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/070