Writers' Rituals – Brandt Dodson
The Mysterious Writing Habits of Crime Writers From Around the World
Are writers obsessive-compulsive? Overly superstitious? Or do habits and rituals provide security for writers who never know where the next idea, or the words to write it, will come from?
Searching for clues to the secrets of writing, Suite 101 has an exclusive interview with Brandt Dodson. Brandt is known for his hard-boiled Private Eye series featuring Colton Parker, an ex-FBI agent. The series is set in Indianapolis. Brandt is also the author of free standing novels of crime and suspense.
How much research and plotting do you do before you're ready to write a book?
I do a fair amount. I was once employed by the Indianapolis office of the FBI and come from a multi-generational line of police officers so that helps to ease the research burden. But times change so I’ve had to update my knowledge of law enforcement – particularly when writing my novel White Soul. That novel has Ron Ortega as its protagonist, an undercover DEA agent who infiltrates a Miami-based crime family, and that is based on a real entity known as The Corporation. Part of the risk of serving undercover is the temptation to succumb to the lifestyle. Joe Pistone (aka Donnie Brasco) alludes to this in his book. It took some time to do enough research to “get the right feel” for the stresses of undercover life.
What hours do you devote to your writing and what time of day do you prefer to write?
I still work full-time at my day job so I have to write when time permits. Of course, I try to make sure that time permits everyday. I typically write in the evening, 9-11pm and on weekends. I use a word-count goal and not a time-at-the-desk goal.
Do you take breaks, and if so, what do you do during them?
The amount of breaks I take depends on where I’m at in the story. If I’m “in the flow”, that mystical place where the story becomes real and I can’t type as fast as I can think, then I won’t take a break. But if the story is lagging, I find myself going for walks – even if it’s on the treadmill – until I can put the pieces of the story back together again.
Where do you write?
I have a dedicated room in my house. It’s off the living room so that I’m not isolated from my family, yet far enough way that I can concentrate.
What do you write with?
I write on my computer. But, having said that, I also frequently use a legal pad and pen if I am in a waiting room or other location that is away from my computer.
...and why is that your preference?
The computer is a wonderful tool, but I prefer the long hand method. It forces me to take time to think and when I do that, I don’t have to do as much revising. Go figure.
Describe what you like to keep within arm's reach while you're writing.
I keep The Chicago Manual of Style, Webster’s Merriam Dictionary, and Strunk and White’s Elements of Style on my desk, within reach.
Describe the things you can see when you look up from your writing.
On the wall, over my desk, I have the framed covers of my previous novels. I’ve read that Dean Koontz has the same thing, and says he does this to bolster himself in moments of self-doubt. “Gee, someone is actually reading this stuff.”
What was the first thing you wrote which was published?
The very first thing was a letter to the editor that I wrote many years ago. But the thing which launched my commitment to write was an article for a Christian magazine.
What is your latest book?
My latest novel, Daniel’s Den, is a suspense novel that tells the story of two people and how their lives are affected by the combustible mix of political corruption and unchecked greed. They find themselves caught in a game of cat-and-mouse where they learn just how big the cat can be – and that it’s no game.
Find out more about Brandt Dodson and his books, here.
Read about Peter May, Jane Finnis, Ruth Dudley Edwards and many other Writers' Rituals
Brandt Dodson
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Daniel's Den by Brandt Dodson
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