Interview With R.B. Carr

Lynn: How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?

R.B: I think you have to consider any criticism with a grain of salt. I don’t like every best-selling book or hit movie that comes along and I very often disagree with critics regarding the same. I think you have to keep in mind that these reviews are subjective in that way. Some people are simply not going to like it. As long as I am happy with my work, first and foremost and I enjoyed the process of developing the story and polishing the product, then I have no complaints. If some other people get enjoyment out of it than so much the better.

Lynn: What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?

R.B: Write every day. Even if only a paragraph, write. Develop your craft and your story. It is all trial and error and no one writes their first draft to perfection, so anticipate you will be editing and changing things as you go, but keep moving the project forward.

Lynn: What part of the book was the most fun to write?

R.B: I love the action scenes. Having grown up as a fan of comic books, Louis L’Amour novels, and 80’s action movies, I am a big fan of fight scenes and like to bring my own creative twists to each and every one. And it is fun to come up with scenarios in which are novel. You can’t simply let the book be dominated by gunshots to the head, it gets stale too quickly.

Lynn: What’s your favorite writing snack or drink?

R.B: COFFEE!!!!

Lynn: If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?

R.B: I am currently writing a sequel to The Unforeseen that will explore more of the relationship between Logan and Paige. Of course, that will be told within more mayhem when Logan is forced to put his skills as one of the premier contract killers to work in an effort to save Paige, his handler, from a group of mercenaries trying to collect a contract on her.

Lynn: If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?

R.B. : Without a doubt, Micheal Connelly, who I think is one of the best storytellers there is. His characters, plot lines, and his prose are simply some of the best there is today. I would love to pick his brain about style and how he developed characters such as Harry Bosch or the Lincoln Lawyer.

Lynn:What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

R.B. : Don’t be afraid of the delete button. Sometimes you are going to have an idea or scenario that simply doesn’t fit in the story or picture you are trying to write. Even good ones sometimes need to be omitted to better tell the overall story.

Lynn: What do you think is the best way to improve writing skills?

R.B: Like any skill, practice, practice, and practice. And don’t be afraid to hear or accept coaching and criticism.

Lynn: How do you come up with character names for your stories?

R,B.; Most of my character names are based upon people I am acquainted with in some form or fashion. Often times, they are named as such because of some character trait those people have that I want to use within a story, though oftentimes the characters are spun beyond recognition by the time the work is done. To me, it is easier to keep track of people and characters I know than to come up with them completely out of thin air.

Lynn: Whom do you trust for objective and constructive criticism of your work?

R.B : I have three friends that preview my work. I know all three will be unabashed in offering criticism. As importantly, none of the three are acquainted so I know their feedback is not groupthink. If two, or worse yet, all three, point out the same flaw in something, I know for sure it isn’t simply

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