Brad Meltzer answers your questions

How do you get inspired to write?

Brad Meltzer Just look around. Ideas are everywhere.

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What are you currently working on?

Brad Meltzer New thriller. :)

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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Brad Meltzer Never ever ever ever let anyone tell you No. Keep going.

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Could you describe your collaboration with Tod Goldberg on The House Of Secrets? Did one of you write more of the plot and the other more character? And....of course...I can't wait to read it!

Brad Meltzer We each wrote an entire book. From the start, I always had the plot of the book. So Tod flew to Florida and we locked ourselves in my kitchen for a long weekend. From there, we talked it through, and of course, changed much of it. Then Tod wrote a first draft, giving us this book with an incredible, fully realized character. And then I took that draft and rewrote the plot. I’d cut chapters, add cliffhangers, twist the mystery, and, well, there we were. When Tod finished, I said about his characters, “I don’t know how you do what you do.” And when I was done with the plot, he said to me, “I don’t know how you do what you do.” I think we were both in a bit of shock it actually worked. Or at least that we didn’t kill each other.

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Are you planning any more books in the Beecher White series? I love that character. I am planning to read "The Book of Fate" next. Not really sure I want to read about Nico. He was a bit strange as was his daughter but I liked her. Didn't like Nico very much.

Brad Meltzer Beecher will be back. :)

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Will you be doing any book signing or showing up to any events, like comicon?

Brad Meltzer No Comicon. But new tour for I am George Washington and I am Jane Goodall will be announced here:
http://bradmeltzer.com/appearances/

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What make you decided to write the The President's Shadow? I thought it was a great book .

Brad Meltzer Usually I can pinpoint the moment where an idea comes from. For this one, I just woke up and it was there: One morning in the White House Rose Garden, the First Lady uncovers a severed arm buried in the dirt. How did the hand get there? How’d they get past security? And most important, what’s the secret puzzle that’s hidden in the hand? That was the mystery I wanted to solve. So from there, I gave the plot to experts in the Secret Service and other places, and I asked them: What would you do first? The answers will surprise you.

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Brad Meltzer If I told you, I'd have to...
Well, y'know.

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Brad Meltzer Steve and David are both dear friends. And yes, hoping for more Hazel real soon. :) I need strong female heroes for my daughter.

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What’s the best thing about being a writer?

Brad Meltzer The teachers who tell me they and their students are reading my books. Teachers changed my life. Also, all the fame. Wait. Sorry. That's Brad Pitt's life. Not mine.

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

Brad Meltzer We each wrote an entire book. From the start, I always had the plot of the book. So Tod flew to Florida and we locked ourselves in my kitchen for a long weekend. From there, we talked it through, and of course, changed much of it. Then Tod wrote a first draft, giving us this book with an incredible, fully realized character. And then I took that draft and rewrote the plot. I’d cut chapters, add cliffhangers, twist the mystery, and, well, there we were. When Tod finished, I said about his characters, “I don’t know how you do what you do.” And when I was done with the plot, he said to me, “I don’t know how you do what you do.” I think we were both in a bit of shock it actually worked. Or at least that we didn’t kill each other.

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