A few words from a fan

[Ami]

Hello Steven,

What a treat to have you here! Since I have been a history buff for all my reading life, I am an avid fan of your work. Like everyone else, I was dazzled by “Gates of Fire,” but I found equal merit in “Virtues of War,” “Last of the Amazons,”and “Tides of War.”

I especially enjoyed the first person narrative in “Virtues of War” which imparts that extra immediacy to the story; it was interesting getting into the great Alexander’s head. I also found the unusual treatment in “Last of the Amazons” entertaining and thought-provoking.

As I have read your work I have often wondered…do you tend to work with a distinct “road map,” or does your story unfold for you as you go along?

What I love most about your writing is the way the scenes jump off the page, the fine characterization, the tightly-woven plots and the exquisite eye for detail and historical nuance that make your work a cut above ordinary historical fiction. Those are the qualities that have excited my wholehearted admiration. As a reader, I am enthralled by your novels and as a writer, I learn something of value with each book. I have ordered “Killing Rommel” and the “War of Art” and I cannot wait to read them.


Sincere regards,
Ami

[Steven]

Ami, thanks for the very generous words. To answer your question, I always try to know where a book is going -- meaning I know the ending and I know a few big beats along the way. I know I SHOULD block it out more thoroughly than I do (I'm constantly updating my outline) but I confess I let a lot of stuff happen on its own along the way, then I bend the story to fit it!

If you don't like "Rommel" and "War of Art," I'll give you your money back ...

[Ami]

Thanks for your input Steven, I had a feeling you would say that...I do the same thing with my books and often feel like I am constantly updating the outline, which is actually a pain when you are writing a series, because one major change in a later book sometimes has to be foreshadowed in the first and so on...which is why even though I have completed my first two books, I am waiting until the end of the series to launch them!

(I too enjoy when the story takes on a life of its own. That is the really exciting part of writing.
One of my characters who was imprisoned decided to break out of the impotent persona I had cast her in and got into so much trouble, she ended up being a main character, and I was as flabbergasted as I was delighted:)

BTW, It is extremely unlikely that you will have to give me my money back...

Ami