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Q & A's With Tim Tigner on September 11 th
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With the fall of the Berlin Wall, Tim switched from espionage to arbitrage. Armed with a Wharton MBA rather than a Colt M16, he moved to Moscow in the midst of Perestroika. There, he lead prominent multinational medical companies, worked with cosmonauts on the MIR Space Station (from Earth, alas), chaired the Association of International Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, and helped write Russia’s first law on healthcare.
Moving to Brussels during the formation of the EU, Tim ran Europe, Middle East, and Africa for a Johnson & Johnson company and traveled like a character in a Robert Ludlum novel. He eventually landed in Silicon Valley, where he launched new medical technologies as a startup CEO.
In his free time, Tim has climbed the peaks of Mount Olympus, went hang gliding from the cliffs of Rio de Janeiro, and ballooned over Belgium. He earned scuba certification in Turkey, learned to ski in Slovenia, and ran the Serengeti with a Maasai warrior. He acted on stage in Portugal, taught negotiations in Germany, and chaired a healthcare conference in Holland. Tim studied psychology in France, radiology in England, and philosophy in Greece. He has enjoyed ballet at the Bolshoi, the opera on Lake Como, and the symphony in Vienna. He’s been a marathoner, paratrooper, triathlete, and yogi.
Intent on combining his creativity with his experience, Tim began writing thrillers in 1996 from an apartment overlooking Moscow’s Gorky Park. Twenty years later, his passion for creative writing continues to grow every day. His home office now overlooks a vineyard in Northern California, where he lives with his wife Elena and their two daughters.
Tim grew up in the Midwest, and graduated from Hanover College with a BA in Philosophy and Mathematics. After military service and work as a financial analyst and foreign-exchange trader, he earned an MBA in Finance and an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
Thank you for taking the time to read about the author. Tim loves to correspond with readers like you. You are welcome to reach him through Goodreads or directly at tim@timtigner.com.
Tim gives away a paperback every week on Goodreads. If you're feeling lucky, look for him under the "Popular Authors" heading. Meanwhile, consider visiting www.timtigner.com where you can get one of his eBooks for free.
Cool I'm looking forward to finally read the book :-)
Hello Everyone,It's a pleasure and my privilege to be this month's selection on A Good Thriller. I look forward to interacting with you and answering your questions.
Sean was kind enough to paste my bio above, so I won't go into that other than to say that I draw heavily from personal experience when developing my plots. Speaking of which, they all revolve around a device or two of my own invention--usually something that's at the edge of the envelope. This guarantees that the plots original. I put that device in devious hands and tell the story from multiple perspectives, including the victim's.
BETRAYAL is a stand-alone novel with a long personal backstory I'll share with the group after during our discussion. As Sean mentioned above, BETRAYAL is currently free for Amazon Prime subscribers, and ranks among the top 100 books on all of Amazon.
PUSHING BRILLIANCE is the first book of the Kyle Achilles series. Like my other novels, it's aimed at fans of fast paced action thrillers. In reviews it draws a lot of comparisons to works from Baldacci, Child and Clancy. I'm currently working on the third novel in that series.
Thanks for you kind attention,
Tim
Mod
My name is Andrea. As you know you are one of my fave authors....1) What is the most defining moment that made you want to become a writer?
2) What have you found as the hardest time - marketing, solitary, life/work balance? What have you found the most rewarding?
Oh, BTW, I like that you use Pininterest to show us your writing/research process.
Did you ever think you would be compared to Brad Thor/Vince Flynn?
(That was last from me - )....except for what I emailed to you earlier.
Glad to have you as our guest!
Thanks Tim!
Oops I mixed up the dates I really thought this month's Q&A is in around two weeks - so I'm off now to (hopefully) finish Betrayal.So far I love the book and look forward to finish it.
Thank you for the questions Andrea,The defining moment that made me want to become an author was actually a summer. Corporate restructuring left me stranded in Mannheim Germany for the summer of 1994 at age 26, with little real work to do and a lot of stress. Poor and bored and alone, I dove into reading. The appealing books available in English included Ludlum, Follett, and Forsyth. I got such tremendous joy out of reading them that I decided I wanted to write them, to give that joy to others. But the corporate job worked out (Managing Director of Boehringer Mannheim Russia) so the jump to writing was delayed. From there my career continued to rocket, but the writing seed had been planted. The idea kept growing and I dabbled with writing a bit, but I didn't make the full-time leap until 2002 after my Belgian doctor handed me a prescription that read "Change your job."
As to the hardest and most rewarding aspects of being a writer, there's no easy answer. First among the hard aspects is the financial one. I lived off savings for 7 years before earning enough to support my family (split up by 7 years of corporate work between the 5th and 6th years of full-time writing.) Second among the hard aspects is living with doubt. Is this word/sentence/paragraph/chapter/plot line/plot/novel any good? At first--and by that I mean years--you really have no idea. It's all about faith. The work itself (writing, editing, marketing) is all hard, but I love it and temperamentally am well suited to it.
Among the most rewarding aspects of writing, creating my art is the clear #1. That branches into the satisfaction satisfaction of creating something (1) original that (2) people buy and (3) love. Fan letters and reviews still tickle me, and I read every one. Finally, now that the financial pressure is off, meaning I can remove the desk shackle without guilt, I enjoy the freedom of time, place, and action. That's huge, as is not having a boss.
I'm glad you mentioned my Pinterest pages. Readers rarely comment on them, but I think they're pretty cool because they give you a behind the scenes tour of the novel and how it was written and they connect the fiction to fact.
Great questions, Andrea. You know you're one of my favorite fans.
Mod
Do you think you may bring these main characters back for another book.
Do you listen to music while writing?
Do you travel, where would you like to visit, where has been your favourite place..
Sorry how quite, and I am hoping when USA wakes up, more questions will come in...
Do you think you will keep to series books or also standalone ?
And which do you enjoy to read?
Andrea again:In Pushing Brilliance you mention the father's company he is retiring from - isn't that same company you are currently a CEO of?
So you sprinkle Easter Eggs into the book?
Big Question:
Lies of Spies: Does that Winter Palace on the Black Seas exist? And have you been there?
How did you find Dick Hill? Is he on retainer ? - He brings your books to life!
I follow your blog (not stalk) and saw that you just went free solo climbing - who likes it more - you or Achilles?
Thanks again Tim! Fascinated each time I (re)read your books or listen to Dick Hill's narration....
Sean wrote: "My question, I enjoyed very much Betrayal.Do you think you may bring these main characters back for another book.
I would love to bring Odi and Cassi back, as was my intention when writing it. They have a lot of juice left in them. But with the way publishing forces work, that will probably only happen if Betrayal becomes a movie. (I think it will, someday.)
Do you listen to music while writing?Do you travel, where would you like to visit, where has been your favourite place.
I often listen to music while writing, particularly in the afternoon as my energy fades. I usually play a single pop song on a loop, something with an uplifting rhythm and harmonies that aren't distracting.
I travel internationally as much as possible. Four times a year lately, most of it for research. I love experiencing different cultures and geographies. Bangkok was the most pleasant surprise, a fascinating mix of old and new, rich and poor. Singapore was eye opening. So much more modern than San Francisco / Silicon Valley where I live, which is ironic, given the proportion of modern technology that comes from here.
"Do you think you will keep to series books or also standalone ?And which do you enjoy to read?"
In general I only plan to write series book, but my 2018 novel will be a standalone because a big name wants to work with me to write a blockbuster.
I read (actually listen primarily) to bestselling thrillers and non-fiction. My audiobook library goes on for miles. I love books on psychology, like Gladwell and the Heath brothers. I'm very excited for Ken Follett's new release, A Column of Fire. As a writer always working to improve his craft, I listen repeatedly to the books that most drew me in: early Grisham and Child and Follett.
I suppose Odi's inventions are purely fictional or are they based on real-life-products?Too bad it's so unlikely there'll be another book about these two characters I really love them. I'm not finished yet and perhaps this question will be answered in the book but just in case?
The next question contains a spoiler if you're less than 40 of 50 percent into the story - sorry guys :-)
(view spoiler)
"In Pushing Brilliance you mention the father's company he is retiring from - isn't that same company you are currently a CEO of?I write full-time now. My last job was CEO of a pharmaceutical startup, and the product we sold was the basis for Brillyanc, the product at the center of Pushing Brilliance. Lots of overlap between fact and fiction, but plenty of literary license too.
In The Lies of Spies: Does that Winter Palace on the Black Sea exist? And have you been there?."It does exist and it did inspire the book. It's worth about a billion dollars, but alas Putin hasn't invited me to visit. http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/5...
How did you find Dick Hill? Is he on retainer ? - He brings your books to life!I was a huge fan of Dick Hill for decades. Knew his voice better than my wife's during the years I was learning what good writing sounds like. By the time I thought my novels were worth turning into audiobooks, they had enough good ratings to catch Dick's eye and we've since become friends. (A big deal for me.) He's semi-retired now, so he only does Jack Reacher and Kyle Achilles these days. I'm very honored by that.
I follow your blog (not stalk) and saw that you just went free solo climbing - who likes it more - you or Achilles?I used to be a paratrooper, so I'm not particularly scared of heights. But I really sweat that day on the rock. My first time climbing, and the instructor led me to this huge cliff that went virtually straight up, and said "go." So I literally walked up a cliff. Sounds impossible, but it's true. Climbers wear magic shoes. They just stick--if you angle your body right. Unbelievable. Of course you're ready to pee your pants, which would wet the rock and make it slippery so it's no cake walk.
I was preoperative on knee surgery that day, so I stopped after about 400 vertical feet on a cliff that went up 600. Was glad for the excuse as my stress hormones were on overload. Achilles would have whistled right by.
Did the events of 9/11 have an impact on your writting and if they did how?
I suppose Odi's inventions are purely fictional or are they based on real-life-products?They are fictional. All my books revolve around devious devices of my own invention. Most are near the edge of the envelope. Those in Betrayal and Flash are the furthest out, but not too far.
The idea for Betrayal's creamer came from reading that acid was often used to detonate bombs. I thought, "Wouldn't it be cool if that acid was stomach acid?"
As for the Armowrap, I'm pretty sure the physics don't work anywhere near well enough. But the idea is interesting. If foam can protect the head of a motorcyclist by absorbing the shock from a collision, couldn't you apply the same tactic to slow the shrapnel from a bomb?
Was there a reason you chose to make Cassie the one who was tasked with tracking Odi?The secret to making novels interesting is to keep the drama turning back in on itself. You want to minimize the number of characters and maximize the drama between them. When the characters are twins, as in the case of Odi and Cassi, it naturally heightens the drama and conflict even more. They get torn between loyalties. I think that tension has played a major role in Betrayal's success.
Agnieszka wrote: "Did the events of 9/11 have an impact on your writing and if they did how?"As a veteran and patriot, 9/11 made me very angry. (As much for our idiotic response as for the act itself.) I channel a lot of that emotion into my novels. 9/11 also opens up the door to speculation on what could be next, which is great for plotting. Betrayal and The Lies of Spies are two results of such speculation.
Andrea wrote: "Do you sprinkle Easter Eggs into your books?"I love planting Easter Eggs. My latest favorite is using the names of fans who have left reviews I particularly love. Achilles #3, coming out in November, is full of them. I picture those fans reading along and finding their name. What fun.
Since starting the Kyle Achilles series, I've also created a Pinterest board for every book where I've pinned links to my research. Usually places or devices or engineering articles. They help connect my fiction with fact. I use them for my own reference, but I think they're fun for fans too.
Will Katya ever climb with Achilles?In Lies of Spies Max and Kyle and the 2 beautiful Russian beauties became BFF out of necessity....will they continue working with one another or stay friends?
Andrea wrote: "Will Katya ever climb with Achilles?In Lies of Spies Max and Kyle and the 2 beautiful Russian beauties became BFF out of necessity....will they continue working with one another or stay friends?"
I doubt Katya will ever climb. It's just too rare a hobby and not a great fit with her personality, which though adventuresome is more grounded than Achilles'. But it's an interesting idea.
I do like the idea of making Max and Zoya recurring characters as I enjoyed their company, but only if it's the best fit for the plot. Since I don't have future novels plotted in advance, I can't answer more definitively than that.
I'm in the middle of Betrayal and enjoying it quite a bit. A couple of lines really struck me and I've been discussing them with my husband."Counterterrorism is not a military matter, it's politics."
"Fear is the the biggest industry in the world."
"War on terror is worth $3 billion dollars a week." Forgive me if I've messed up the quotes a bit, but those ideas really got me thinking and feeling.... grrr. It looks like you've already answered the question about 9/11 and the political response. The betrayal seems on a much greater scale.
But back to your book, how do you decide to whom you dedicate a book. For the first one do you use your most loved in case you don't write another? ;) How did you come up with the names for the twins? Who would you like to play them on the big screen? I think it would make a terrific film!
Perri wrote: "how do you decide to whom you dedicate a book. For the first one do you use your most loved in case you don't write another?" How did you come up with the names for the twins in Betrayal? Who would you like to play them on the big screen? I think it would make a terrific film!Twice in my life I've left business to pursue writing full-time. A huge gamble. Both times my wife Elena was right there by my side. She sacrificed. So Both firsts went to her.
My second book, Betrayal, I dedicated to my father because he's always been the #1 supporter of my work. He's a philosophy professor whose specialty was the Ancient Greeks. I grew up with the Greeks as paragons of virtue and glory. Odysseus is a classic tragic figure (as it my new series hero, Achilles) and Cassandra was famous for making correct prophesies that were never believed. Also, both shorten nicely to Odi and Cassi. They're all solid, familiar names, but not the names of people you know. So they're memorable. Or so my theory goes.
My latest novel I dedicated to Dick Hill, the golden voice who does my audiobooks, because I'm so grateful to be working with him. Was later shocked to hear that I was the first to do so, even though he's recorded over 1,000 audiobooks.
For the movie, I'd want someone with talent and draw. My dream scenario is what Andy Weir enjoyed with The Martian, which was so well done. (One of the VPs who made that movie at Fox did approach me about Betrayal, but nothing is happening yet.) I'm not up on my actors enough at the moment to know who that should be, but I'd appreciate your sending suggestions to Hollywood.
Perri wrote: "A couple of lines from Betrayal really struck me and I've been discussing them with my husband."Counterterrorism is not a military matter, it's politics."
"Fear is the the biggest industry in the world."
"War on terror is worth $3 billion dollars a week.""
That's exactly what I hope for: making people think. We're all constantly manipulated on a massive scale by the media, corporations, and politicians. They play to our emotions and instincts, not our minds, to serve their own interests, be they ratings, or purchases, or contracts, or votes. The statistics are sad and staggering. My advice as a guy who spent 20 years in marketing: consider the first axiom of detective work when digesting news: Ask yourself "Who benefits?"
The second quote you mention is at the core of my latest book, Kyle Achilles #3, Falling Stars. I hope you'll read it when it comes out in November.
hello Tim, I'm coming a bit late to the party (I blame time zones!) - so I hope I haven't missed you.
Here are some fun questions -
Did you always know you had an active imagination/creativity? Or was this a surprise to you when you started writing books?
Between Achilles and Odi Carr, which is your favourite character? And why?
Which character in your books did you find the most difficult to write? And why?
thanks and best :)
Ann wrote: "hello Tim, Did you always know you had an active imagination/creativity? Or was this a surprise to you when you started writing books?"
Interesting question, Ann. We all know what's easy or hard for us to do, but it's much harder to gauge relative talent until we first focus on developing it and then really begin to compete. Sure, I could dream things up, but can't everybody?
I believe the human mind is incredibly flexible, and will grow to accommodate whatever skill is asked of it, if that skill is asked often enough, like a muscle in the gym.
To get more specifically to your question, when I first fell in love with thrillers while reading Ludlum, I thought: "With practice, I could do that." And that feeling has never wavered. But here's the tricky part, which I only came to realize once I started selling books. I could imitate what I liked about Ludlum, but that wasn't necessarily what other people liked or what made him a bestseller. And now, having spent more time with the art of writing, I see how wrong I was. How many subtle things I didn't understand or appreciate because they were beneath my level of consciousness as an amateur.
Ann wrote: Between Achilles and Odi Carr, which is your favourite character? And why?Both Odi and Achilles act like me in my dreams, strong and handsome and determined. But Odi is like me the way I was 12 years ago when I invented him, and Achilles is like me today. Which is my favorite depends on how nostalgic I'm feeling.
I love all my characters like my children. And as someone with multiple biological children, I can say that you love them equally, with all your heart, even though you experience that love in different ways because the people and circumstances are different.
Ann wrote: Which character in your books did you find the most difficult to write? And why?Most of my characters have been similar to people I've known, so writing them has not been difficult. It's when I stray to people I don't already know well that I have difficulties, although perhaps the struggle makes them the best characters. In that regard my first difficult character was Wang in The Lies of Spies. He was Chinese and I haven't spent time in China, yet.
To expound on that theme, I write what I know, and I've been blessed with a rich background that's well suited for knowing the stuff of conspiracy/espionage thrillers.
Mod
I know quite a few readers are reading your book now..
Time creeps on us very quickly...
Absolutely my pleasure, Sean. Thank you so much for the kind invitation! And thanks to your members for the great questions. I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. Hope you'll have me back sometime.
Tim wrote: "Absolutely my pleasure, Sean. Thank you so much for the kind invitation! And thanks to your members for the great questions. I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. Hope you'll have me back sometime."Oh yes, please!
A Good Thriller
Books mentioned in this topic
Betrayal (other topics)Pushing Brilliance (other topics)
We now have a date for a Q and A's with Tim Tigner.
September 11th a Monday.
Tim will join us for one day, to answer any questions.
It's worth pointing out that Betrayal is currently an Amazon Prime selection, so all Amazon Prime members can read it for free.
Recommended reads
and also
and any other books you would like to read.