A FEW MOMENTS WITH . . . KEITH SPENCE
Q. Your new novel THE BLOOD OF SAINTS is a political thriller with some thinly-disguised characters that readers are sure to recognize as well as some real ones to whom you refer by name. Were you trying to make some type of political statement with this book?
A. Absolutely not. Primarily, I wanted to write a suspenseful and thrilling mystery that revolves around Washington politics. The plot is loosely based on some real-life events, and while it's true that one political party fares a little better than the other in THE BLOOD OF SAINTS, that's mostly a reflection of the realistic situations presented in the novel.
Q. Bestselling suspense novelist Jordan Dane, author of No One Heard Her Scream and Evil Without A Face, called THE BLOOD OF SAINTS a "page turning novel of espionage, murder, and betrayal." How does it feel when a successful peer acknowledges your work in such a positive manner?
A. It feels great, of course. Jordan agreed to take time out of her own busy schedule to read an early draft of THE BLOOD OF SAINTS, and for that I'm very grateful. I haven't sold nearly as many books as Jordan has, but with her help I can always dream, can't I? I would encourage everyone to read her novels. She's great!
Q. Speaking of great reviews, your first novel DEVIL'S BREW was compared to the work of legendary international suspense master Alistair MacLean by Alexander Honeywell, a noted expert on International Relations and the Middle East in particular. He also raved about the novel's authenticity. How does this type of encouragement help a new author?
A. It helps in ways that are too numerous too mention. To begin with, I grew up reading and idolizing Alistair MacLean; his suspense novels made me want to become a writer. To then have my first novel compared to him was like a little bit of Heaven on earth. It's a review that I will always treasure, and you can bet that it's a review I will continue to use in my promotional material thoughout my writing career."
Q. You've mentioned that Alistair MacLean was your inspiration in becoming a novelist. How do you balance writing with your day job and still keep you sanity?
A. It's tough. My writing career is still in its infancy and I haven't earned enough of an income to pursue it full-time. Not that I would anyway. See my DAY JOB page. But to answer the question, a writer simply has to make time to write. Whether it's early morning, late at night, or sometime in between, a writer must follow his dream. Sometimes it's easier said than done, but I'll say it again: a writer has to write.
Q. Any advice to unpublished writers?
A. Yes. Don't give up, don't get discouraged, and don't let anything or anyone stand in your way. Make time to write, seek advice from others on how to make it better, and keep plugging away. You're never too old to dream!