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The First Story I Ever Wrote
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Thu, September 08, 2011
When I turned 15, I had a lot going on. Least, I thought so. Girls, academics, sports, hormones—and I had no idea what to do with any of that and I certainly didn’t know how to talk about it. I heard people say,’Express yourself.’ I’d scratch my head and think, ‘Now, just how do you do that?’ For some reason—and to this day—I’m not really sure the reason—I sat down one night and wrote a story. On the surface, that story had nothing to do with what I was dealing with. I can’t point to any part of the story and say,’Yep, that was it. That’s the thing that was bugging me.’ Maybe someday, somebody will psychoanalyze me and suggest an answer. I’m dubious. Anyway, that night started a process in me. Something I did most nights. That story, called ‘The Sandbox,’ became the first of several short stories of a collection I’ve long since called ‘River Road.’ (Stories from my childhood written between the ages of 15 and 25.) I thought maybe you’d like to see it. It follows this. One note: I first wrote this twenty-six years ago. My tendency now is to edit and rewrite to make it sound like me today. For the record, I’ve not done that. I made a few changes in my early twenties but, for the most part, you’re getting me as a teenager.
Songs About Books and Other Stories
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Fri, September 02, 2011
Remember that song I told you about that I’d asked a friend of mine to record??? Watch the video for a short cut of the song and a brief update on book stuff—not to mention, a look at one of my favorite t-shirts.
Rules For Writers
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Wed, August 24, 2011
Readers often ask me my thoughts on writing. Here lately, more than a couple. With that in mind, I’ve included some random thoughts. Lessons learned. Proceed at your own risk…
To All My Guy Readers
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Tue, August 23, 2011
A couple times a month, I get an email from a husband who’s not too pleased with me. Most say the same thing. They tell me that their wives have paid them no attention and when they get in bed, they find she’s curled up with one of my books. “Go away.” Seriously, I had a man write me after his honeymoon and rip me a new one because I’d ruined his week on the beach with his new bride. (This has happened more than once.) I’ve always taken that with a grain of salt and chalked it up to the problem having more to do with his lack of romance and less to do with my writing. I mean, there’s got to be a reason his wife is bored. Right? See, that’s what I thought.
Until now.
Not five minutes ago, my wife walked up to me with an empty glass, handed it to me and said, “All I want right now is a glass of wine, my pajamas, and Mitch.” As in, Mitch Rapp. As in, Vince Flynn. As in, this is not the first time this week.
Thanks, Vince.
I’d like to apologize to all my male readers whose wives have snuffed them in lieu of my books. So sorry. I would lie to you and tell you that it won’t happen again, but that’d be lying. I hope it does. Many times over. But, look at it this way. You only have to contend with me. Every time Vince Flynn puts out a new book, I’ve got to contend with Mitch Rapp. And he can leap tall buildings…
Vince, if you read this, I need a blurb for my next book. It’s called, “Thunder and Rain” and I think you’ll like it. Mitch would. I think it’s the least you can do. Seriously. I’m just saying…
On Cowboys
Posted in Book Research The Kitchen Sink on Tue, August 16, 2011
About year and a half ago, I poked my dad in the shoulder. “Dad, I need to go on a—“ I held my fingers in the air—invisible quotation marks. “‘Research’ trip to Texas.” He stood up and ran his fingers along the inside of his belt. “When’re we leaving?”
My dad grew up the son of a Texas barber. To find and keep steady work following the Depression, my dad’s parents stayed close to military bases in and around west Texas. That meant that my dad grew up working the oil fields and playing football on dusty stretches of pasture. Which meant I grew up listening to stories about Texas.
Next Book Update ;-)
Posted in Ask Charles on Wed, August 10, 2011
Good news. My editor moved UP my release date, which means “Thunder and Rain” will release April 1st, rather than May—and no, this is not some sick April Fools’ joke.
Movie Update (8/9/11)
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Tue, August 09, 2011
For those of you who don’t know, “The Mountain Between Us” was optioned by 20th Century Fox about a year ago. I have no idea if they’ll actually make it a movie BUT I have seen the screenplay. A very good screenplay. It appeared in my inbox one night. I started reading at 11pm and finished around 1am. As I read, I found myself wishing I’d thought of some of the stuff created by the screenwriter. And—and even better sign—I found myself turning pages at a pretty fast clip and I know what happens in the story. ;-)
So, let’s dream for a minute and assume they actually make a movie—who do you like in what roll? (Comments welcome.)
The Paperback Release of The Mountain Between Us.
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Mon, June 27, 2011
Two new editions (trade paper and mass market) of “The Mountain Between Us” go on sale, June 28th. Woohoo! (Fist pump followed by short dance routine which is sure to embarrass my wife and kids)
Continue reading "The Paperback Release of The Mountain Between Us."
Of Heroes and Songwriters…
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Mon, June 27, 2011
Reflections on writing Where the River Ends ends and how it led to a phone call I made a few weeks ago to a songwriter friend of mine.
A Conversation with My Kids…About Sex
Posted in Interviews Reader Mail The Kitchen Sink on Tue, May 31, 2011
(And a few other random thoughts.)
Folks have been asking me, ‘What’s life like around the Martin household, where do your ideas come from, are you always serious...?”
Here’s a pretty good window into one of the more humorous mornings at our breakfast table.