How do you get inspired to write?
I think all writers get inspired by asking themselves some variation of the same question: "Wouldn't it be cool if?" More often than not, the idea dies on the vine not long after that initial question, because whatever comes after that "if" doesn't always translate into a full story. Or maybe another writer already asked themselves that same question and answered it for the world to see, and you can't think of anything new to add. But sometimes, if you're really lucky, whatever comes after your "if" is a springboard into other cool things happening, done by cool people, and before you know it, you're writing down everything you see them doing in your head because it's just so damn cool you want to share it with everyone.
How do you deal with writer's block?
I write. It's that simple. The act of writing is very easy. Technically, writing "The" and calling it a day still counts as "writing." Writer's block isn't the inability to write, it's the fear that whatever you write won't be good and you'll have to chuck it all, which no writer wants to do. Sometimes, though, you have to sift through a lot of mud to find that little nugget of gold. So grab a mining pan and get dirty.
What mystery in your life could be the plot of a book?
The mystery of why my wife said "yes" when I asked her to marry me, and then spent the next twenty-three-plus years not taking it back.
What are you currently working on?
A few different things, but I'm highly superstitious, so I don't want to say too much about any of them and risk the Universe deciding it would be fun to mess with me. I will say the one thing that I hope gets a chance to see the light of day is the next book in the Rick Carter series. It's called THE CANDIDATE, and I personally think it's better than the first. My publisher, Blackstone, has had it in their hands since before THE RECRUITER even came out. I've been told that everyone there likes it but, as Rob Hart often says, publishing is a business, and there are boxes on a spreadsheet somewhere in the Blackstone Accounting Department that THE RECRUITER needs to check off before they spend money putting out the next one. So, if you're one of the many readers who have asked me "Where's the sequel?", the best way to get Book 2 into your hands is to tell 1,000 of your closest friends and relatives to go out and buy Book 1.
Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?
I've been a professional recruiter for nearly twenty years, and it struck me that there were very few books or movies that dealt with my profession. I didn't just want to be the John Grisham of recruiters, however. (Although I would happily accept John Grisham royalty checks. I'm not an idiot). I didn't want to write a book about a normal recruiter who gets caught up in some nefarious plot. Cue that classic inspirational question: Wouldn't it be cool if there was a recruiter for criminals? Someone who a mob boss would hire if he needed to find an assassin, let's say. A quick Google search showed that nobody had asked--or at least answered--that particular question, and it was off to the races.
What kind of research did you do for this novel?
The kind where I make a lot of shit up. I certainly did some research, especially for the first half of the book, which is set in Europe, a continent to which I have never been. I wanted to ground it in reality at least a little bit, but the fun part of being a fiction author is that not everything I write has to be true. As someone who has never enjoyed doing research, I very much leaned into that.
What emotions do you wish to elicit in your writing?
The overwhelming urge to tell everyone you know, "You've gotta read this!" It's not only the best compliment you can pay to an author, it's hands-down the best form of marketing, too.
Best advice on writing you've ever received?
Quentin Tarantino once said (not to me, I'm not that cool): "I make the movies that I want to see. The audience is just along for the ride." That's the attitude I have every time I write. When I type "The End," at least I know that there now exists in the world a book that I really love. If other people love it, too? Hey, all the better.
What is the weirdest/wildest topic or fact that you’ve had to research or uncovered in your research?
Years ago, I came across an article that listed "learning how to play the didgeridoo" as a legitimate cure for snoring. For those thinking I might have just mashed my hand on my keyboard to form that word, a didgeridoo is a traditional Australian wind instrument that is essentially just a long wooden tube. You play it by putting your mouth on one end and vibrating your lips together. I truly believe that the only reason this is not a more widely accepted method for alleviating snoring is that the C-Pap machine manufacturers and the Breathe Right Strips people have better lobbyists than the Didgeridoo Association.
Can you tell us a two-sentence horror story?
"What if, instead of exploring new ideas, we just remade all of our classic animated movies as live action?" said one Disney exec. "I like where your head's at," said another.
What else would you want readers to know about you? Where can readers find you online?
I own over 1,400 CDs and counting. I once started a food fight at a college football game that was briefly televised on ESPN2. I honestly do not know which I hate more, volleyball or bowling. I actually really like candy corn. As far as where to find me, my website--greggpodolski.com--is your best bet. I'm on Facebook and Instagram, too. More than my kids probably like, but less than my publicist wants me to be. If you look me up on YouTube, you'll find some interviews I did with really fun, cool podcasters. Check out their stuff with me, then subscribe and enjoy everything else on their channels.
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