Known for his prolific writing, J. Robert Kennedy has authored over eighty international bestsellers, captivating readers with his thrilling James Acton series and beyond.
With The Betrayal set to hit (digital) shelves on July 29th, J. Robert Kennedy takes us into his mind, exploring his quirkiest habits, favorite characters, and the wisdom he has to offer aspiring writers. From his unique dictation process to his cherished comfort foods, discover what makes J. Robert Kennedy a remarkable and relatable figure in the realm of action-adventure literature.
Are you ready to leave James Bond in the dust?
1. Your best virtue as an author.
I’m prolific. I usually publish a book every two months, which has resulted in over eighty novels in the past fifteen years.
2. Your most quirky author habit.
I dictate my novels, usually from behind the wheel. There’s just something about driving and dictating that works for me. With the other nutbars on the road, however, I often have to apologize to the transcribers for my saucy language.
3. Your favorite quality in a protagonist.
Intelligence. I like my heroes to use brains, not just brawn.
4. Your favorite quality in an antagonist.
Indifference. A villain who doesn’t care who he or she hurts to accomplish their goal is compelling to me.
5. If you could ask any other author, past or present, a question who would it be and what would you ask?
Charles Dickens. I’d ask him how it feels, quite possibly, to be the world’s first self-published author.
6. When you aren’t writing, you are:
Driving with my music blaring, or parked in front of my TV, working my way through the to-do list.
7. Your easiest book to write.
My first Kriminal Inspektor Wolfgang Vogel Mystery. It takes place during World War II in Nazi Germany. I love WWII history, and this one just wrote itself.
8. Your hardest book to write.
The first. I lost count of how many rewrites it went through. Each book gets easier with experience.
9. Your ideal writing place.
Behind the wheel of my Mercedes with the top down, on a freshly paved road where everyone else has stayed home.
10. Your favorite childhood book.
I started reading Hardy Boys at age five, and loved them. I still have my complete set on the shelf, and occasionally pull one down.
11. The book you’ve reread the most.
“Remains of the Day” by Kazuo Ishiguro. Wonderfully written, and the movie was great too!
12. Your favorite hero from literature.
Hercule Poirot. Brains not brawn. Not to mention wonderfully quirky.
13. Your favorite villain from literature.
Professor Moriarty. Again, brains not brawn, though there was a bit of the physical. Two brilliant men pitted against each other in a battle of wits, ultimately settled physically when all else failed. Sorry for the spoiler, but it has been over a century…
14. The name of your autobiography.
Still Standing, Despite My Best Efforts
15. Your favorite comfort food.
My late mom’s lasagna. Alas…
16. First thing you do when you finish writing a novel.
I order some decadent food while I peruse my far too long to-do list.
17. A secret talent you have.
My first career was in IT. I can still code up a storm when needed.
18. Where have you always wanted to travel?
I’d love to see China, though they’d probably arrest me the moment I stepped off the plane.
19. One tip for aspiring authors?
If you’re fighting writer’s block, just write nonsense. Eventually, the nonsense will coalesce around an idea you can then start to work with. Go back and cut out the nonsense once you’ve reestablished the flow.
20. Puppies or kittens?
I’m allergic to both, but I’d suffer through it for puppies. Fine, kittens too. Baby anything is cute.
About J. Robert Kennedy:
With millions of books sold, award winning and USA Today bestselling author J. Robert Kennedy has been ranked by Amazon as the #1 Bestselling Action Adventure novelist based upon combined sales. He is a full-time writer and the author of over eighty international bestsellers including the smash hit James Acton Thrillers.
Connect with J. Robert Kennedy:
- Website: JRobertKennedy.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jrobertkennedy
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