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QUESTIONS FROM READERS

Steve Berry answers readers' questions about inspirations and influences, researching his suspense/thrillers and upcoming novels to be released within the next few years.

Dena from Bremerton, WA: Who or what was your inspiration to start writing? Who are your favorite authors? Do you ever read other genres?

Steve Berry: I’ve read suspense/thrillers all my life, especially those with an international flavor. I was a fan of Ludlum, Cussler, Forsyth and Follett. David Morrell is my favorite thriller writer simply because he’s the best --- superb stories and superb craft. I learned a lot from reading his novels. I started writing because of a little voice in my head that told me to do it. I’ve since learned that all writers have the voice, in one way or another. I’ve learned to listen to that voice. It’s what keeps me going. Though I love thrillers, I also love historical fiction. Sharon Kaye Penman is one of my favorites. She is like Morrell, a wonderful storyteller and artist.

Ray from Selden, NY: Your books all deal with historical mysteries. What historical mysteries do you plan on tackling in upcoming novels?

Steve Berry: Unfortunately, I can’t answer your question specifically. We like to keep those mysteries secret for a variety of reasons. I will say that I just completed the 2008 book and it deals with another wonderful mystery from the past. I’m plotting the 2009 story now. My goal is always to find something from the past that the reader (and myself) may not know a lot about, but which discovering will be an adventure for us all.

Suzanne from Hornell, NY: Are you a history buff? Do you do physical research (travel to the areas you write about), or do you use the Internet? Is writing work for you, and do you love what you do? We enjoy reading it...do you enjoy writing it? Do you use people to do research for you?

Steve Berry: I am a history buff, always have been. I read a lot of nonfiction material. I do travel to a lot of the locales. For THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL, I visited Venice and discovered all of those locations on site. In THE ALEXANDRIA LINK, I went to Portugal. For THE TEMPLAR LEGACY, France. I recently traveled to Germany for research on the 2008 story. I use the Internet some, more as an index or overview. You have to be careful of information from there, as it’s not always accurate. But it is a tool that can be helpful. I do all of my own research. No help. You have to --- it’s through the research that the story evolves.

Warren from West Hempstead, NY: What influenced you to focus on stories that have deep historical background rather than contemporary-based thrillers?

Steve Berry: My thrillers are contemporary. They are not historical fiction, which does take place in the past. There is an historical context to my stories and lots of things from the past are involved, but the story is very much in the present. The formula is simple: a little bit of history, conspiracy, secrets, action, adventure and international settings. That, to me, makes for a great tale.

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