Thoughts On Starting A New Book

Barf Draft: My version of the vomit first draft. I think WAY TOO MUCH as I write this draft. I have to remind myself to barf it out. Limit the descriptions of anything that doesn't precisely move the story forward/develop the character (in this draft). I am wasting too much time wordsmithing and worrying about minor issues. The order of the chapters, etc. Just get the damn thing written, THEN worry about that stuff.  

Goals: I am not a "writing this many words daily" guy. There is too much self-inflicted pressure. But, as we know, structure and dedication are needed. I started with a dedicated one-thousand word(ish) a day plan, give or take. That worked until I reached…

The Swamp: The part of the barf draft when I have gone past the stuff I was eager to write and have stepped into the mucky middle. The difficulty is that I need to figure out what is happening. Where I would rather eat my laptop than type on it. I am internalizing, "Why am I doing this?" "This is garbage." "What was I thinking?" "No one will read this?" Eventually, I will step from the muck, hit the last third, and barrel to the end. 

Plansering: I am not a detailed outline plotter planner or a pantser. I am a "planser." I wrote more outlines for this suspense novel, breaking out central chapter ideas—the same "guidepost," a version of the get from here to there writing. I know where I need to get, just not how. In my interviews on the House of Mystery Radio, many writers say this is their method.

Write People: This concerns my anxiety about writing a female protagonist. The age-old question is whether a man can properly write a woman's character. The answer is yes, of course. Many have done it and done it well. I researched, as I am known to do, looking for advice. I saw a quote—which might be from Terry Pratchett—saying he didn't write women; he wrote people. That really had an impact on me. Just write people. Write realistic, good characters. Be aware of people's differences in situations and life and use those if they assist in their development and storytelling.

Where The Devil Have I Been?

This is my first update in months, and I wanted to let you know what I'm up to in the writing world.

This writing community has a pay-it-forward mentality that is indispensable in what is inherently a solo writing existence. Whether through shares, likes, recommendations, reviews, or constructive feedback, it fuels the passion for writing. 

Q: What have I been doing?
After Devil's Own Day, the third Spy Devils thriller, I throttled back my time on social media, which is ironic since I am a mass communication adjunct professor who teaches social media. I know it is essential. I know disappearing isn't good for marketing, sales, or keeping my name "out there." I decided to minimize the screen time and focus on other things. 

So, I have been FOMOing. Everyday! 

After polling my classes, I have opened a TikTok account. I resisted for quite a while but finally caved. I wanted to play with it more as a teaching aid and do a little book marketing. I plan to devote more time to social media since an author's social media activities are table stakes with agents and publishers. 

Q: Have I been writing?
YES!!

I am moving away from espionage (for now). I am working on a suspense thriller with social media-related topics driving the underlying storyline—ideas taken straight from my lectures.

With this new thriller direction, I have been reading and listening to mountains of suspense, psychological, crime, mystery, and "genre" fiction—as I did for espionage. I have read and researched books along the suspense spectrum, from classics to contemporary. My protagonist is female, so I have focused slightly more on books with female main characters. I am writing in various POVs with my protagonist in 1st person. First person narration is new to me, so I have sought those books. I've reviewed most of the MasterClass lessons by authors of all types.

Regarding MasterClass (and BBC Maestro), some famous and accomplished authors are there. They provide similar advice, motivation, and techniques. Still, I have found some nuggets that have stuck within most of them. I will save that for another newsletter.

This new book is an exciting change of direction and learning experience. From the writing and reading perspectives, I am comfortable with the rhythm and pattern of espionage and action thrillers. 

I am taking my time…quickly…meaning I want to have the first draft done soon. I'm about halfway through the barf draft. 

Q: What about the Spy Devils? Are you abandoning them?
Sort of. Kind of. Not really. I don't think so. No? I could improve at multi-tasking when it comes to writing. I admire those who can overlap books, short stories, novellas, etc. Bravo! I have some SD novella ideas that I can bang out if/when I am done with my myopic focus on the next book. The SD characters are developed, and I don't want to abandon them. 

I also have a draft TV treatment of the Spy Devils that I hope to push forward.

I also have a few short story ideas in science fiction I have been noodling.

Q: What else have I been doing?
I thoroughly enjoy being a guest host on Al Warren's HOUSE OF MYSTERY RADIO SHOW. It allows me to talk with thriller authors and others—famous, not-so-famous, big, and so-big sellers. It is quite an education. I take notes. 

My Experience: Reader Reviews

Everyone reads reviews before they buy, well, anything. We know the same is true for books. Authors across the success spectrum appreciate reviews. When I send an autographed book out, I include this “notice.” A reminder never hurts. Right?

Joe Recommends: Speechify

I found a new tool. Speechify.

It is a text-to-speech technology for mobile phones and desktops. It turns printed text into AI computer-generated speech. It was created to help people who needed assistance with reading for whatever reason. You can pick the voice (including Snoop Dog). The readback speed can be increased or slowed as required.

When I saw the tech, Devil’s Own Day had been edited and reviewed multiple times by multiple people. I thought I was close to done. But I decided to load it to Speechify. Why not listen to it and read along simultaneously? I might find some stuff.

I am glad I did. Let's say I found many (many) things that needed correction. It was amazing.

I recommend this technology.

Joe's Top-5: Fictional Characters I Examined to Create My Own

Before I started to write The Spy Devils, I read/listened to dozens of espionage and other thrillers. I wanted to learn what made the main characters what they were. I wanted to understand if there were common characteristics. Answer? Yes and no, as you might expect. At the very least, I was exposed to some excellent writing.

I read other genres to explore those characters similarly. Looking at them all, I incorporated characteristics of these great characters in the Spy Devils series.

Here are a few. Maybe you can recognize them in the Spy Devils series.

Sherlock Holmes
I consider Holmes the greatest, most iconic fictional character of all time. Why? Simple answers. His legacy. People think he was real. Pop culture is still making movies and shows about him. His depth of character had only been done once Doyle created him.

He is a multifaceted character with a unique blend of characteristics. He is a brilliant detective with exceptional deductive reasoning skills, but he is also portrayed as eccentric, aloof, and sometimes socially awkward. This complexity makes him intriguing and relatable to a wide range of readers. About every true crime and detective story that followed has elements of the Holmes character.

I see a flawed genius in Holmes and his stories, not a superhero. He knew everything, but you didn’t know that until he needed it. He also has Moriarty, a protagonist who is as engaging as Holmes. He has complex motives. We want to learn more about both of them.

Doyle sort of created the idea of iconic phrases. “Elementary.” “The game is afoot.” and the even more iconic “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”

I like the idea of an aloof genius.

James Bond
James Bond was a new kind of spy hero and a departure from the traditional, stoic, and one-dimensional spies of the time. His charismatic and carefree personality and sophistication, with a touch of wit and humor, made him an instantly recognizable and relatable character. His dry sense of humor and his penchant for stylish living made him stand out and added depth to his character.

He is a skilled and often ruthless spy. Still, he is not without his flaws and vulnerabilities, including his struggles with relationships, which add depth to his character and make him more relatable to readers.

I knew I needed these personality pieces in some of my characters.

George Smiley (Okay, he is a thriller/espionage character, but of a different style and time.)
In contrast to Bond, George Smiley is a profoundly complex and multifaceted character. And, unlike the glamorous and action-oriented spies depicted at the time, he lives in a more realistic, nuanced, and morally challenging world of espionage. He is intelligent, introspective, and has emotional depth.

He is an ordinary-looking, unassuming older man who relies on his intellect, analytical skills, and understanding of human nature to succeed. Smiley often navigates morally ambiguous situations in the morally murky world of espionage. His inner conflict and ethical dilemmas create a character who embodies the complexities and moral challenges of the spy profession.

I like Smiley because he evolves in response to changing circumstances and challenges, adding depth and authenticity to his non-superhero appeal.

Phillip Marlow/Sam Spade
Hard-boiled detectives Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe set the tone for a new type of detective fiction that featured tough, cynical, and morally ambiguous protagonists. They marked a significant departure from genteel, amateur detectives.

They are self-reliant, witty, sarcastic, and rugged. Cynical. Tough. They are independent and don’t feel bound by the constraints of authority. They often engage in complex, tumultuous relationships with other characters in their stories, often including love interests and antagonists.

I like Spade and Marlowe as they operate in a world where right and wrong are not always clear-cut, and they have shades of gray for their morally complex characters.

Edmond Dantès
Okay. I know he isn’t a “thriller” character, but he is a great character from one of my favorite books—The Count of Monte Cristo—perhaps the book I have read the most.

Dantès, like the characters above, undergoes a transformational change. He becomes a multifaceted character with a blend of moral ambiguity and depth. His ability to adapt, learn, and become self-reliant and resourceful makes him intriguing.

He is a good and bad guy. A mysterious, avenging angel. All-powerful figure. He uses disguises and elaborate schemes. Manipulating events to achieve his goals—no matter what. While understandable to some extent, his actions raise questions about the ethics of revenge, justice, and the consequences of one's choices.

Joe Recommends: My Weather Station

One career I considered as a kid was a weatherman. I love the weather. I have nine apps on my phone. I am the guy who runs outside when the tornado warning sirens blow. This summer I decided to get a home weather station for the backyard, just because.

It is the Ambient Weather WS-2902 WiFi Smart Weather Station. I has just the right amount of gizmos and seems to be pretty accurate. I can also see other AW stations on the network if they are public—and there are a lot of them.

I showed the station and app to my seven-year-old grandson. He is into weather and asks to see it and some of my radar apps.

My Experience: Some Universal Thoughts On Self-Publishing

(First appeared Career Authors, 12/21/22 Self-Publishing – What You Need to Know)

"Beware of advice—even this." - Carl Sandburg

Perhaps you find a few minutes each day (if that often) trying to bang out your work. You may be doing it just for fun. Or to prove something to yourself. Or you are sure the next great American novel lays just inside your figure tips. Any reason is a good reason because it is your reason.

You need an agent to say yes, and everything is gravy. You know the odds are against you, but you dream an agent will contact you. You want to be "traditionally" published for pride and satisfaction. You want the publishing industry to validate you (there is something to this). You can imagine the thrill of seeing your book on the shelves at the airport.

If your dream is to have a book published more than to get an agent, you might decide to self-publish at some point.

I am a self-published author. It wasn't totally by choice. I tried.

There is stigma, albeit lessening to a great extent, regarding "non-traditional" publishing. Since everyone can do it, there is a justified concern about the book's quality—inside and out. That is one reason bookstores and libraries are hesitant to stock self-published books, even if they have a "local author" section.

Another reason is the dreaded "Amazon Effect." Bookstores hate Amazon for its impact on the bookseller market. Many self-published authors use Amazon—the platform of choice for its cost (free) and marketplaces (just about everywhere). Ask a bookstore if they will stock your book. Forget it. Some libraries will accept after a review for their "Local Author" section—if they have one. If a self-published author wants distribution in "traditional" outlets, then be on IngramSpark also.

If you decide to self-publish, you know there are headwinds in a crowded market, and your efforts to overcome them can be daunting.

When I pulled the self-publishing lever, I performed the logical next step—I Googled. I researched and explored the resources and advice available to me. I found some fantastic and not-so-fantastic videos, podcasts (these are useful), courses, subscription services, etc. The amount to shift through is overwhelming.

I discovered many "tips for success" for self-published authors. For better or worse, I can summarize them into a non-exhaustive list that looks something like this. I call these the "general universal truths of self-publishing."

-Make time to do it all

-Write what you know and write. Writers write.

-Read. Writers read (or listen, as I do)

-Know your market

-Research everything

-Network/Join communities/author groups

-Market early/social media, the web, and all that stuff

-Pick a platform/decide how to self-publish

-ISBNs and things like that

-Hire professional designers, editors, marketers, etc.

-Market and advertise even more

-Create an email list/blog/newsletters

-Keep marketing

-Keep writing

That's a lot to do for one person. That's the life of self-publishing. But, if done with some focus and energy, you are far ahead of many others. I have consolidated these tips and flavored them with my own experiences. Here are four of them.

All writing is personal. Tell stories.

"I do not over-intellectualize the production process. I try to keep it simple: Tell the damned story." - Tom Clancy

As I tell my college mass communication courses, everything is personal. You must think not just of the content and process to get your message across. Self-published or traditional, you have to tell a story. We are all storytellers in our own way. You want readers to connect with your story. How do they do that? You have hit upon something they that connects with them. Something personal. That can be the need to escape from their own lives for a few moments, or you have a message that resonates. It doesn't matter why.

Don't try to be perfect

"We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes the master." - Ernest Hemingway

Let's keep this simple. You feel your book must be perfect to compete in the market. So you edit and re-edit every page as you write.

When self-published, it isn't just the words. It is the editing. It is the cover art. Blurbs. Your social media. Your web presence. The look and feel of your overall marketing. Review blurbs garnered from well-known authors. Begging for other reviews. Giveaways. Goodreads. BookBub.

You can't be perfect in all this, and don't try. Your book with have errors, even after multiple rounds of editing and beta readers (if you use them).

Just write. Do your best. Relax. Tell your story.

Be confident

"I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide." - Harper Lee

Tara Moss, the noir and crime fiction author, recently explained that when she first started, she was, like most authors, a neurotic writer. She lacked confidence in what she was creating. But, over the years, as she grew as a writer, so did her confidence.

I am sure this is common to all writers. However, having been there, the combined enormity of the creative and selling process makes it worse for self-published authors.

You probably have an inbox full of rejections. Maybe some of the dreaded, "I like what I read, but I just don't think (a) it is right for me, (b) it is what the market wants, (c) it will require too much effort to make it a good book." With that, you are on a lifeboat hunting for the "tips for success" mentioned above. Unfortunately, no one is there to help you—with anything.

You must overcome the doubt, rejections, and the cringe-worth, guilt-erupting, sincere question from friends, "how is the book coming" knowing you haven't looked at it in days. It could take time, but if your dream is to publish a book for others to read, so what? Focus on making the best book possible and reaching as many potential readers as possible.

Write that book and market the heck out of it.

Connect with your readers and peers

“I can’t write without a reader. It’s precisely like a kiss—you can’t do it alone.” - John Cheever

The self-published author can reach out to readers and peers on most social media platforms. Use it. Be confident.

Readers have choices, and when they choose to use their precious time/money resources to read my stories, I want to show my appreciation. So, I do my best to connect with them—every time. If they post anywhere about my book, I acknowledge their support. I comment in some way and always say "thanks." Every time. When I send out books, I add a note. Every time.

What might readers do? Buy more books. Spread the word. Provide feedback. They're sales generators. Many are now my virtual friends. I have used some to crowdsource ideas for the next book in a series.

I don't reply to reviews—and I try to ignore them. Reviews are in a category I call "leave them the heck alone." We welcome good and constructive reviews. One bad review can kill the confidence of the lonely self-published author who has reached the point of exhilaration and exhaustion. If they email me comments, I reply.

My connections process includes peers. Peers are important. As writers, we are all in this together. Many established authors are willing to help. Do they need to know if you are self-published? No. In my experience with them, it doesn't matter. Comment on their posts. Celebrate their successes. Help them when they need it.

As Damonza.com writes (they do my covers): Self-publishing is a taxing profession, even for the most successful writers. Advice will be offered by anyone and everyone, and it's important to take on the guidance that speaks to you.

Joe's Top-5 Questions I Am Most Often Asked About The Spy Devils

As it stands now, Devil’s Own Day will be the last book in The Spy Devils series…as it stands now. I have been asked several questions over the last three years—some more often than others. I decided to answer some of them here.

Q: Each book opens with a foreword authored by Bridger. It makes it appear as if The Spy Devils are real. You worked at the CIA. Are they, or is this opening some fictional device? Yes or no!
A: Yes and no. This is the question I get asked the most. It is the answer I avoid the most, but I will do my best.

Yes, they are real, and no, they are not. Good books lead with strong characters. That was in my rules published in last month’s blog. I developed The Spy Devils based on people I worked with or met during my Agency years., people I know, or my imagination. Is there a Bridger? There are lots of Bridgers. Combined, they make just one.

These books are entertainment. Truth can be stranger than fiction, but truth can be boring, too. Nobody wants to read about my endless hours balancing my petty cash box or sitting at a computer crafting a cable.

Q: Will there be more Spy Devils books?
A: I am done with the three books in this story arc. A little hint on how Devil’s Own Day ends: there is a door open to continue them in a slightly different direction. I have some ideas for The Spy Devils 4/5/6, but those will wait. I also have ideas for three “origin novellas” on Demon, Imp, and Bridger that I could publish in one book. That will need to wait, also.

I plan to move on from espionage with my next book(s). I have an idea I am excited to write.

Q: Where do you get your character names?
A: Character names can be important. They present a mental image of the person that the reader is constructing in their mind. Is the image of a “Joe” different than a “Bridger?” Does Mayflower (May) present something different to a reader than “Lena?”

But I can have fun with it.

Did you know that many of the character names in the Spy Devils series are references to my college alma mater, the University of Iowa and Iowa City? I received a lot of messages from friends commenting on them. Some keep count of them as a game. Maybe I should…

Why did I do that? The easy answer is I don’t like making names too much. I have a list of the buildings and streets and pick one that best represents the character. That is why their name is “Hall.” Trowbridge. Stanley. Mayflower. Currier. My favorites? Danforth Chapel is the name of a small chapel on campus outside the student union. Gilbert Street is…a street.

For other names, I look up popular names in a country or names or use the names of people I knew.

Q: Why did I self-publish?
A: I was impatient. I had no intention of self-publishing, in fact, I did everything I could (I thought) to avoid it. I had worked on The Spy Devils for a couple of years and thought I had it ready. I did everything I was supposed to (I thought) and sent it off. I got 20+ full requests. About half that were partials, and the rest were rejections (120?). It wasn’t ready. I hired a top-notch editor who proved to me it wasn’t ready.

I rewrote, resubmitted (which is hard enough to try), and got some more positive comments, but then it was COVID, and no one knew what to expect. I wasn’t going to wait anymore. I sent it out, which a few agents said was a good idea given the times.

I was impatient. I could have sat on it and wrote Rebellious Son, but I didn’t. I actually like it, I have control, but I plan on going the query route for the next book. Why not?

Below, I am reposting an article I wrote on self-publishing that I hope you will find interesting.

Q: How do I deal with feedback and reviews?
A: I appreciate constructive feedback. The “bad” reviews that lack any educational value for me as a writer are what they are—there to be ignored. I do not interact with book-selling/reviewing platforms like Amazon. I do reply to anyone who contacts me directly (email, message, or a comment on social media). If someone has taken the time to read the book and contact me, I appreciate it and should take the time to reply.

Preface: DEVIL'S OWN DAY

I have a minor degree in American history, with an emphasis on the Revolutionary War. John Adams is my person of focus. I have read and studied the Civil War, of course, just not as much. I remembered a moment I saw/read years ago. Was it in Ken Burns’ The Civil War? A book? I don’t remember where. But I remembered what.

I made it the title of my next Spy Devils thriller as it directly relates to the determination and revenge theme. Here is the (current) preface of Devil’s Own Day that explains it.

Preface
On April 6th and 7th, 1862, more than 100,000 Union and Confederate soldiers engaged in one of the bloodiest battles ever fought on American soil near a small, log-cabin church in west Tennessee named after the Hebrew word for "peace.”

Shiloh.

Late on the first evening, after twelve straight hours of fighting, Brigadier General William Tecumseh Sherman arrived at the headquarters of his friend and commanding officer, General Ulysses S. Grant. Sherman found Grant—broken sword and all—chewing on a soggy cigar in the rain, which had begun soaking the battlefield.

“Well, Grant,” said Sherman, “we’ve had the devil’s own day, haven’t we?”

“Yes,” Grant replied. “Lick ‘em tomorrow, though.”

By the end of the fight, more than 23,000 soldiers were dead, the most of any key battle to that point of the war.

Joe's Top-5 Civil War Books

Here are a few Civil War Books I like and recommend. I KNOW I am leaving off many great books. I can’t list them all (Kearns Goodwin, etc.)! I know there are many of you who are Civil War experts. I would be interested in your recommendations.

The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (One of the best—also, books by his son Jeff)

Lincoln on the Verge by Ted Widmer (new and unbelievably relevant to today)

Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by James McPherson (actually, any book by him)

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson (Entertaining)

Grant by Ron Chernow (fascinating)

My Experience: The Advice I Remind Myself Of While Writing

Writing can be fun, exhilarating, a chore, easy, satisfying, and a struggle—all those and more, at least for me.

I think. Write a sentence. Get up and walk around. Visualize. Sit. Write a sentence. I’m doing that right now. It drives me nuts. I have some rules (my own and borrowed) taped to my wall to keep me focused—more like, “Stop whining and get it done, Joe.”

Here are a few I’ve consolidated. Some are obvious.

It’s about the characters. People forget plots. They remember characters.

Entertain. It is why people read thrillers.

I don’t need to explain everything. Use only a fraction of my research. I call this avoiding “purple haze”—the stuff your eyes glaze and glance over as they look for the good stuff. It isn’t important (for me) on HOW the commo system works, it just NEEDS to in the context of the moment.

Write what is important. See above.

Tell the damn story. See above.

Don’t jump the shark. Don’t write implausible, illogical, ridiculous…things…to build a character or drive plot. Readers will notice. It is distracting.

Don’t be a lazy writer. This means don’t be cliché. For example, “he heard the bullets whiz an inch from his ear, as he did a double somersault with a twist, out the third-story window, while firing, hitting the bad guy twice in the chest and once between the eyes, and then landed on his feet and ran uninjured to the waiting car.” Get it?

Write like the reader you are. I think about my readers, perhaps too much. “Will they like this or think it is believable?”

Be active. Show don’t tell.

Conflict. Every page should have or be related to a conflict. Internal or external.

Write when I feel like it. Could be everyday…or not. Don’t force it and stress out—but write. Write the best worst sentence you can think of and go from there.

BONUS: Don’t break the writing rules, but we all know what rules are meant for.

My Experience: Getting Into The CIA

Through the years, I have been asked how someone gets into the CIA. Today, it is as easy as going to CIA.gov and applying. Forty years ago, not so much.

I met a recruiter in early 1985 on the campus of the University of Iowa after I got my master’s degree. It was the only on-campus interview I scheduled through the graduate office. 8 a.m. Win or go home.

The day of my interview was interesting. The time period was critical. US involvement in Central and South America was headline news. Nicaragua. Sandinistas. Contras. Ortega. Freedom-fighters. El Salvador. Cuba. Granada invasion.

As you might expect, the CIA being on campus can garner some attention. I watched the small but noisy protest start early that morning. People dressed in camouflage-patterned clothes. White face makeup with red “blood” streaks. Lots of signs and shouting.

Somehow, they had an idea of the identity of the interviewer, or they were just harassing everyone. They followed the CIA recruiter to the steps of the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) where the interviews would take place. One protester was dragging his friend behind him by the ankles, like a corpse. It was effective until the CIA recruiter went up some steps to enter the building. He could have gone in another way without steps, but he didn’t.

I remember seeing the protester stop at the steps holding his buddy by the ankles and looking around deciding what to do. He let go of his friend's legs rather than drag him up the concrete steps. Good decision.

They watched the recruiter disappear into the IMU.

I went in another door. You should go to the website.

Joe Recommends: Support Reading

If you read Rebellious Son, you discovered that Bridger is a signed first-edition book collector. That pops up again in Devil’s Own Day. I am NOT a rare book collector—although I have collected over the years. Radios. WW2 road maps. View Masters.

My wife just retired from teaching. She ended her career as a reading interventionist. She loves to teach reading and will tutor reading and other subjects in retirement.

We have lots of books around the house. Our garage has a section for shelves and boxes to store books.

This month marks the 6th anniversary of me sort of setting a large portion of my house on fire. Don’t ask. Okay? The statute of limitations has expired on needling me about how it happened. Let’s just say BBQ and be done with it. Anyway, we were out of our house for 10 months.

During the rebuild, I gladly, in a ‘make-it-up-to-you’ way, agreed to put a Little Reading Library in front of our house. They are “take one, leave one” free libraries for people to come by and grab something or leave something. Kids or adult books.

We put a reading bench next to it with some nice landscaping. It has become a destination location for the kids in the area. Adults drive up and look around.

Warning: You will not find any signed first-edition books. Bridger already checked. You WILL find copies of my books in there. People actually take them! I’ve left a few signed ones in there.

Devil’s Own Day will be next.

Joe's Top-5 Locations In DEVIL’S OWN DAY

Each month I will post Top-5 Lists covering a variety of topics: books, movies, foods, etc. If you have a topic you want me to provide a list for, contact me.

Like many authors, I try to use locations I have visited in some way. Work. Vacation. Research. However, I listen to my characters as I write. If they feel they need to go somewhere I haven’t been previously, I try to accommodate them. When Bridger tells me this is where the event happened, I listen. Plus, Demon is always nearby, and an affirmative head nod is the best answer.

Sure, it would be better if they decided to use a familiar setting, but that forces me to be a better writer and also not piss off Demon…just…don’t want to do that.

Austin, Texas
As you might be aware, Austin is near Bridger’s West Texas Hill Country ranch. The ranch plays a key role in Rebellious Son which requires me to answer some unanswered questions. TRUTH: I left the ending of Rebellious Son a cliffhanger because when I got there, I didn’t know who did it. So, I left that for Devil’s Own Day. I was lazy. I hope you find my explanation entertaining.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Lots of action takes place here, but it is the only place on the list I have not been. I have traveled to Mexico several times, just not there. It is easy to research. A tourist location has an overabundance of materials I can use. Add to that my previous trips to the area, I think it comes out okay.

Abuja, Nigeria
More action. When I was a political consultant, I traveled to Abuja (the capital of Nigeria) and other locations in the country several times. Very nice and interesting people, beautiful scenery, and great food! “More Jollof rice, please.” It is a complex location given the violence and instability in areas.

Beijing, China / Macao, Special Administrative District, China
I went to Beijing for the first time in the 1990s. Post-Tiananmen Square (1989. I have some stories regarding Tiananmen. Ask me someday.). Lots of construction. Anything with wheels on the street. Pollution. In Rebellious Son and in Devil’s Own Day I revisit some places I frequented during my visits. I have not been to Macao. Again, lots of information is available and I used my imagination.

Port Louis, Mauritius
I have been to Port Louis and figured not many have, so let’s use it. Interesting and beautiful place. Land of the Dodo bird in the Indian Ocean off of Madagascar.

My Experience: A Photo. A Journey.

On September 30th, 1986, inside the CIA Headquarters "Bubble" auditorium, I raised my hand and pledged allegiance to the Constitution. In my orientation group, I met a woman my age (20s) who was assigned to the same office. Small office. Small world. 

A few weeks later, there was a dedication ceremony for the New Headquarters Building. Many dignitaries, including Vice-President and former Director of Central Intelligence George Bush, were there. As you know, the area is now called the George Bush Center for Intelligence.

Anyway, being young, bug-eyed, and overt (not undercover), my friend and I went and got a spot at the rope line. I was dressed in my brown corduroy graduation suit jacket and tie that I found in the lost/found box of the hotel front desk I worked at in college. 

"Keep up the good work," he said. 

I said…" errrr, babble, babble"…

I knew cameras were clicking as he went by as I shook his hand. Later, I went to the public relations office and asked if they had any pictures. They said yes. I filed through the photos taken by the CIA team and found nothing. They said maybe it was a White House photographer.

Ah well.

Over a year later, after I had changed offices (undercover), I got a call from the PR office saying they had something. It was this photo. 

They could call me because my friend had her ID badge clipped to her jacket, and her photo caught her badge and number. Mine was slightly tucked behind my coat. We shouldn't have had them on, but that is just a minor rookie mistake. 

I framed the photo and it has traveled along with me as I moved through my career. Young. Black hair. Engaged to married. Living the life of a CIA officer. A long time ago. Three kids and three grandkids ago. The guy in the photo had no clue.

Fast forward about twenty years. I'm at Motorola in the corporate competitive intelligence group. My friend Dewey Clarridge is visiting my office for reasons left unwritten. Dewey created the CIA's Counter-terrorism Center for those who might not recognize the name. He was also involved in the Iran-Contra affair ending with a pardon from President George Bush.

My character Wes Henslow in The Spy Devils series is based on Dewey. 

Luckily, Dewey saw the picture and asked if I wanted the picture signed. 

"Sure!" I took it from the frame it had been in for years and handed it to him, worried I might never see it again. 

Months later, it came back signed with the inscription.

Now it is on the wall of my office as I write this and everything else. The picture captures my early days at the CIA. We have had an interesting journey together since the late 1980s. 

It represents a time when everything I have experienced now was in the future. How being in intelligence would shape my career. Now, I write espionage fiction using those experiences and knowledge—my next future. I don't know how that will end up any more than I did then. 

I plan on finding out. 

Joe Recommends: The Wrecking Crew

The Wrecking Crew — A documentary available on Amazon and other places. 

You might notice a theme in my Top Instrumental TV Show Theme Songs list where I mention The Wrecking Crew. If you don't know about them, you should watch this. Everyone has heard them play. Everyone. Once you do, you will understand how they influenced you. I saw this documentary listed on Amazon Prime and jumped. I had an okay knowledge of The Wrecking Crew and its influence on music. But, wow, this documentary is fascinating and toe-tapping.

About The Wrecking Crew (SOURCE: Magnolia Pictures)
The Wrecking Crew is a documentary film produced and directed by Denny Tedesco, son of legendary late Wrecking Crew guitarist Tommy Tedesco. The film tells the story of the unsung musicians that provided the backbeat, the bottom and the swinging melody that drove many of the number one hits of the 1960's.

Watch the trailer

What musicians did they play with? (SOURCE: udiscovermusic.com)
The Wrecking Crew were the session musicians of choice for Phil Spector when he constructed his Wall Of Sound, and they were at the top of most producers' call lists. The musicians appear on songs by nearly every prominent American pop performer of the era, including The Byrds, The Mamas And The Papas, Elvis Presley, Harry Nilsson, The Beach Boys, Sam Cooke, The Monkeys, Carpenters, The Ronettes, Simon And Garfunkel, Frank Sinatra, Sonny & Cher, Elvis, and Nancy Sinatra.

What TV music did they make?
Tommy Tedesco was one of the core members of The Wrecking Crew and his guitar introductions were essential to many of the famous television theme tunes of the era, including The Twilight Zone, Green Acres, Bonanza, M*A*S*H*, Batman, Mission: Impossible and Hawaii Five-O – along with film scores such as Born Free. 

Watch this documentary!!

Joe's Top Instrumental TV Show Theme Songs

Each month I will post Top-5 Lists covering a variety of topics: books, movies, foods, etc. If you have a topic you want me to provide a list for, contact me.

I know there are many television theme songs. We all have favorites. The key is that the music can give you an idea of the show without seeing the images. I have listed several below. Am I right? Wrong? What are your favorites?

Mission Impossible
Anything by Lalo Schifrin wins. The iconic sound screams pulse-pounding spies, thrills, and danger—classic guitar riff by the immortal Tommy Tedesco of The Wrecking Crew.

Star Trek
It set the way for sci-fi shows. Although you could debate LOST IN SPACE (John Williams) or others, but it is Star Trek. Come on.

Hawaii 5-0
In a TV class at Iowa, we watched this fast-paced opening, an example of how music mixed with images can project the exotic feeling of the islands and the danger that lurks under the blue skies—performed by The Wrecking Crew.

Peter Gunn
Mancini's classic noir-style sinister sounds charted in the top 10. Performed by The Wrecking Crew with John Williams on piano. 

Rockford Files
Mike Post and Peter Carpenter. Just a cool theme.

M*A*S*H
The movie and TV show used Suicide is Painless as the theme song. Tommy Tedesco on guitar and the rest of The Wrecking Crew.

Andy Griffith
The Fishin Hole. Is there a more recognizable whistled theme song? It captures the times and rural feel—combined with the images—sets up the father/son relationship.

Twilight Zone
Some consider this the greatest theme of all time. Certainly of the genre. A Bernard Herrmann masterpiece. He did Psycho and other Hitchcock movies.

Taxi
Angela. I like this song by Bob James off the Touchdown album. It set the tone for the show. 

Twin Peaks
Don't tell me Angelo Badalamenti's eerie from Twin Peaks didn't immediately make you think something different was happening in this show that would transport you someplace unexpectedly.

VERY Honorable Mentions: Perry Mason, Simpsons, Miami Vice, Hill Street Blues, Get Smart, I Dream of Jeannie, Dick Van Dyke Show, Bewitched, The Munsters, Bonanza, I Love Lucy, Sanford and Son, Magnum PI, Mannix, The Odd Couple SWAT, Dragnet

My Experience: Doing The Hard Things

Recently, I was asked by the leader of the CI (Competitive Intelligence) Fellows to do a five-minute “what is the old ‘retired’ corporate intelligence guy doing now?”

During this chat, I was asked about skills and things younger/new people in CI should know since I am someone who has worked across the spectrum—CIA, corporate competitive intel, as a consultant, and educator. 

Sitting back afterward, I wondered if I was using these lifetime of learned skills now that I am an author. Are there some overlapping fundamental skills? Let me focus on two that also overlap, as I sit here alone trying to write this blog for you to read.

Both require living as an introvert and an extrovert. 

Intelligence is a solo profession. Working alone is a core personal characteristic of intelligence—depending upon your circumstances, of course. The feeling of being in it alone—you can’t talk to many on the inside, and certainly no one on the outside—is a challenge. Self-motivation is required. 

When I was new to the CIA, I was given a project with a big budget and limited time and told to get it done. No outline. No nothing. I was left alone to do what was needed. In essence, a blank piece of paper. Could I be creative in my solution? Yes. Could I ask for advice? Perhaps. But NO ONE had ever done what I was told to do. I was given a task—complete it. Likely, no one could assist me. Few, if anyone, knew what I should do. So, the way forward was to keep focused. Success was not guaranteed, and I may never know the real impact, but that was irrelevant.

What did I do? My best. 

Writing can be just as lonely. It is you, alone with your thoughts, in a quiet location, with something to write on, and…that’s about it. No one is standing over your shoulder shouting, “keep going.” “Way to go.” “You are brilliant.” It is a challenging mental process with endless obstacles that only you can overcome. Yes, you can read and wade through resources, but when it comes to the actual creation of your book—it is all on you. 

What do you do? Your best.

On the flip side, intelligence requires being outgoing. To complete the project above, I ultimately had to build person-to-person relationships, make connections, and get out in the field. It was my only chance at success. That required communication and interpersonal skills. It required practice. Some people want to help. Others didn’t. FYI: I was successful…basically.

Writing is communicating—it is what authors do. We communicate our stories as best we can with unknown readers. Therefore, connecting with peers and readers is critical. When do you reach out for assistance? How do you connect, and with whom? Keeping up these connections is hard, but it must be a priority. 

Communicating is a skill that needs to be practiced regularly. You might try to have a writing schedule. Do you have a reach-out plan? Have you built some ‘trusted’ contacts where advice can be asked and answered? Perhaps you have an agent or someone you share your work with for feedback. It is give and take. You are asking for help, avoiding the urge to say “yes, but…” and instead, listening and learning. Strengthening relationships.

All this is to remind me to be better at doing the hard things now as a writer, as I was then working in intelligence. Working alone, in the short term, for extended periods knowing tangible rewards will be few. Doing this, while also needing to explore the work of peers. To be part of a community.

When I left the Agency, my wife said the comment I made the most was that I could now be part of a community. I can join things and participate for enjoyment. 

I enjoy being part of the writing community…it is the writing part that drives me crazy!

Joe Recommends: SodaStream

First, this is not a paid commercial endorsement. No compensation. I am not an actor. I just drink.

During fall 2021, I decided to give up Diet Coke (DC).

“Big deal,” you say. “You shouldn’t be drinking that stuff anyway.”

“You are right,” I reply. “During college, I was really, really addicted to Mountain Dew which I stopped by just stopping. I turned to DC and, despite my health-conscious ways, I got addicted. I mean, I would go to bed and wonder if I drank any liquid that day that wasn’t DC during the entire day?”

“You are kidding.”

“No. Maybe to brush my teeth. I had one for breakfast. Kept one in my car for the drive to work. My mixed drink of choice back then was Kraken or Captain and a Diet.”

“That is sad.” You shake your head.

“That is what I thought.” My face lights up and I lean forward with excitement. “So, during fall of 2021, and not for the first time, I stopped cold. During previous purges, I had some severe withdrawals…I got ill. Pathetic. Luckily this time it wasn’t so bad. What I did was start to drink LOTS OF WATER.” 

“That’s it?”

“Well, yes and no. I stopped by about 98%. The occasional DC when out to eat with the grandkids, but no more stacks of six-packs in the corner. No more hunting for the best deals. I know where to get the best DC out of a fountain. Yes, McDonalds—” hold my hands up “—but I have a secret location near me that is cheaper and just as good…shhhhhh!” My finger presses against my lips as I make the quiet signal.

“And all you did to replace it was water?” you ask, suspicion radiating from your eyes. 

“Well. My wife got me a SodaStream machine…you know, the carbonation machine. I can make my own beverage at will. I use it all the time—like a lot. It is great. Add bubbles. Add some flavoring if you want and boom! Instant beverage made to order.”

“But aren’t those flavors just the same as diet coke?”

“No…I don’t think so…maybe…but…you can just add lemon…or anything. I don’t have to add any flavor…but I do.” I was getting defensive. “I have been using it non-stop. In with the bubbles. Pour in the delicious diet flavor—cola, root beer, “dr. Pete”, fountain mist (Mountain Dew), Ginger ale, orange…chug away. I order the flavors from SodaStream by the bushel.”

“Sounds like a fun time.”

“Until now,” I say.

“Really? What happened?”

I pause.

“I used up all my flavors. I am dying waiting for my next order to arrive.” I smile “I guess I am addicted to it.”

Joe's Top-5 List: Limited Run Spy/Espionage TV Shows

Each month I will post Top-5 Lists covering a variety of topics: books, movies, foods, etc. If you have a topic you want me to provide a list for, contact me.

Last month I listed my top 5 espionage-related television shows. I appreciate the feedback and also suggestions for future topics. This month, I list limited-run espionage/spy shows. Perhaps you will see a theme in the ones I selected? 

You can watch several of these on YouTube.

Tinker, Tailer, Soldier, Spy

George Smiley is recalled from retirement to hunt for a suspected mole in British intelligence.

Based on the novel by John Le Carre’

Aire date: 1979

Episodes: 7

Smiley’s People

Alec Guinness returns as George Smiley who is called out of retirement when one of his former assets, an émigré general, is found murdered. In tidying up loose ends for the "Circus", his former employer, he discovers a clandestine operation run by his nemesis, Karla, for his own personal benefit. 

Based on the novel by John Le Carre’

Aire date: 1982

Episodes: 6

The Night Manager

Jonathan Pine, night manager of a luxury hotel in Cairo and former British soldier, is recruited by Angela Burr, the manager of a Foreign Office task force investigating illegal arms sales, to infiltrate the inner circle of arms dealer Richard Roper.

Based on the novel by John Le Carre’

Aire date: 2016

Episodes: 6

The Little Drummer Girl

In 1979, an aspiring English actress is recruited by Mossad to infiltrate a Palestinian group plotting terrorism in Europe.

Based on the book by John Le Carre’

Aire date: 2018

Episodes: 6

The Spy

This drama tells the astonishing true story of Israel's most prominent spy, Eli Cohen, who infiltrated the Syrian government in the 1960s.

Netflix

Aire date: 2019

Episodes: 6