David’s Comments (group member since May 24, 2013)

David’s comments from the Ask David Thayer group.

Maybe I was lucky but I always knew where I wanted BLACK FOREST to take place almost down to the streets where the characters roam. Writing a novel requires a lot of decision making and setting is one of those decisions; a writer will wonder if readers care all that much about where the action is taking place and if they do will they enjoy the backdrop?
I went to school and worked in Lower Manhattan so that's where I planted my flag for BLACK FOREST. Granted, there are other locations that are important in the book, but I think readers enjoy the idea of "home base" somewhere we visit together during the course of a story that feels familiar. In a thriller that provides a respite, a chance to catch your breath. New York's financial district is an interesting neighborhood; it's up to me not to make it boring for the reading.

A lot of the action in BLACK FOREST takes place in Manhattan. Since the book is set in the early 60s I wonder if readers find the setting interesting. For example the Wall Street area, where Art works, is really pretty seedy.