The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

How #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Robert Crais Writes: Part Two

Jan 24, 2025

Join #1 New York Times bestselling author Robert Crais, known for his thrilling Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series, as he shares captivating insights from his writing journey. He reflects on the emotional toll of recent LA wildfires and how real-life events shape his storytelling. Crais delves into his latest novel 'The Big Empty,' tackling themes of resilience and community. He also explores the gripping case of a missing father, demonstrating the art of emotional storytelling and the profound influence of crime writers on his craft.

33:53

Episode guests

Robert Crais

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Robert Crais shared his personal experiences during the devastating LA wildfires, highlighting the resilience and community support that emerged amidst the chaos.

In discussing 'The Big Empty', he emphasized the importance of character development and storytelling quality, reflecting on his journey as an author.

Deep dives

Impact of Recent Wildfires on the Community

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles had a devastating impact, causing widespread destruction and forcing many residents to evacuate. The author shared personal experiences of the chaos, noting that he and his wife had to leave their home for several days but felt fortunate compared to others who lost everything. The destruction was likened to a post-apocalyptic scene, reminiscent of historical disasters, highlighting the severity of the situation in the city. Despite the tragedy, there emerged a strong sense of community and support among residents, demonstrating resilience in the face of disaster.

Intro

3min

Resilience Amidst Devastation

14min

The Enigmatic Case of the Missing Father

3min

The Art of Emotional Storytelling

8min

Wrap-Up and Podcast Promotions

2min

Award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author, Robert Crais, returns to talk with me about the destruction of the recent LA fires, writing “enlightened” crime fiction, and the 20th in his Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series THE BIG EMPTY.

Robert Crais is the author of 24 novels, 20 featuring private investigator Elvis Cole and his laconic ex-cop partner, Joe Pike. The first in the series, The Monkey’s Raincoat, won the Anthony and Macavity Awards and was nominated for the Edgar Award.

The 20th in the series, THE BIG EMPTY, is described as an unpredictable and powerful thriller, and "Cole and Pike's toughest case yet, testing their loyalty to their clients and themselves in ways they've never been tested before.”

#1 New York Times bestselling author James Patterson said of the book, “Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are right up there with Harry Bosch and Reacher as must reads….It’s close to flawless. Robert Crais has mastered the fine art of storytelling.”

In a previous life Robert Crais was an Emmy-nominated TV writer/producer and spent several years writing scripts for classic television series like Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, and Miami Vice.

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In this Part Two of this file Robert Crais and I discussed:

What writing 20 novels for the same hit series means to him

How he became a master of LA detective fiction

Why every novel gets harder than the last

The catharsis of storytelling for both writer and reader

How to keep going

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

How #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Robert Crais Writes: Part One

robertcrais.com