Genevieve Michaels

Genevieve Michaels asked Dave Cullen:

What is your process for coming up with the structure or outline of a book like Columbine? What are your tips for organizing your book's content so it's engaging and clear?

Dave Cullen Well the structure for Columbine was pretty complex: two alternating stories both moving forward, from different starting points, plus 4 flashbacks, and a 100-page set-up before the main stories split. I diagrammed and explained how and why at an MFA class where I discussed it with the LA Times book critic David Ulin, and I had a flip chart to diagram it. We filmed that and it's in the two 10-minute videos on my site here (they are the second and third videos): http://davecullen.com/columbine/colum...

I think that will answer your question pretty thoroughly.

It took me many years to figure that all out. Primarily, I was trying to figure out what would engage the reader, and then keep him/her hooked? What would the story be, and the suspense?

More Answered Questions

Ju$tin

Ju$tin asked Dave Cullen:

Hey Dave, Wondering what your opinion is on Sandy Hook being a hoax? I've put in roughly 40 hours of research and you might think I'm a big dumdum but I think it's a VERY hard story to believe. Obviously, I believe Columbine happened, because: evidence. (Read your book, and it was great, btw.) Thanks for reading, feel free to message me back in PM. We've talked on here before.

Casey

Casey asked Dave Cullen:

Hi Dave, Do you know when "Soldiers First" is going to be available? and if it will have a preorder? I enjoy your work and I agree it is hard to focus :/

Patrick Lewis

Patrick Lewis asked Dave Cullen:

Hi Dave, First of all, your book is absolutely RIVETING. It also gave me wholly new insights into the mindset of a mass shooter and the complexities of such a case, and what a fascinating case it is. On craft, your book is masterfully structured. How did you arrive at the structure? Was it hard? Was it natural/instinctual? You just seemed to always go to the next best place with it; well interwoven, never dull.

All answers from Dave Cullen…

61,858 followers

To ask Dave Cullen a question, please sign up.

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions