How a radio program helped me to strengthen the character of Tomas in Carnival of Hope

I try not to lock myself away, cutting myself off from outside influences as I write what I hope will be my next blockbuster. That can lead to some interesting discoveries.

While writing a novel, I think it’s a good idea to take notice of what’s going on around me, because if my theme is as universal as I think it is, I am bound to see or hear something which helps me to strengthen an element in my story. This was the case with the character flaw for Tomas in my novel Carnival of Hope, and als...