Robert Dugoni author of Her Deadly Game

On today's 126th episode of The Thriller Zone, I'm excited to welcome New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of over two dozen riveting thrillers!

Bob's been a talent I've dreamt of having on the show for a very long time; at least since I launched this podcast nearly two years ago. Finally, we have time to sit down and discuss his prolific body of work. It includes: The Tracy Crosswhite police series, the Charles Jenkins espionage series, the David Sloane legal thriller series, plus several stand-alone novels.

But the Big News of Today is the launch of his fourth series starring Keera Duggan, a former chess prodigy who's recently left her job as a Seattle prosecutor after a romantic relationship with a senior colleague ended badly. She returns to her family's failing criminal defense law firm, which is being driven into the ground by her alcoholic father, in hopes of restoring her family's reputation and her career.

I'll save the rest of the details for YOU to discover. Just let me say, you won't be able to put this legal thriller down; it's flat-out fantastic! In fact, once you read Bob's work, you, like I, will quickly discover a favorite new author for your bookshelves. The book dropped yesterday (3.28), and you might as well order a copy now.

Episode Summary:

We discuss our mutual appreciation for the craft of writing, studying the works of great authors like Stephen King, and how Bob's background in law has taught him the importance of discipline in his writing routine. We explore the art of editing and the importance of cutting unnecessary content, as well as the challenges of quieting the inner critic while writing. We also discuss the process of weaving a chess game throughout a novel, the importance of adaptability and intuition in both the game and the legal profession, and the humbling experience of receiving praise from fellow authors. Finally, we share personal stories and powerful lessons learned from our fathers, the importance of following our dreams, and valuable advice for aspiring writers. Don't miss this heartfelt and captivating conversation!

To learn more about Bob visit: RobertDugoniBooks.com and follow him on Twitter @robertdugoni.

As always, we welcome you to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube.com Channel @thethrillerzone, as well as FOLLOW up on both Twitter and Instagram @thethrillerzone, and of course visit our website: TheThrillerZone.com

BREAKDOWN:
Chapters:
(0:00:06) - Storytelling With Robert Dugoni
(0:05:28) - Exploring Family Dysfunction Through Storytelling
(0:17:40) - The Art of Editing
(0:28:15) - Benefits of Being Attorney
(0:37:10) - Following Your Dreams Writing

Chapter Summaries:
(0:00:06) - Storytelling With Robert Dugoni (5 Minutes)
Welcome to the Thriller Zone! In this episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Robert Dugoni about his latest Her Deadly game. Bob shares his work ethic, emphasizing the importance of working every day and how his background in law has taught him to be disciplined in his writing routine. We also delve into Bob's early love for storytelling, sparked by his experiences in seventh grade and his mother's influence in introducing him to literature at a young age.

(0:05:28) - Exploring Family Dysfunction Through Storytelling (12 Minutes)
In this captivating conversation, we delve into the origins of my passion for writing, starting with a speech on slavery in the seventh grade that left my classmates in stunned silence. We also discuss the various awards I've won, such as the Nancy Pearl Award for Fiction and the Friends of Mystery Spotted Owl Award, but highlight that my true gratification comes from receiving heartfelt emails from readers who've been touched by my stories.

(0:17:40) - The Art of Editing (11 Minutes)
Exploring the art of editing and the importance of cutting unnecessary content, we discuss how the process of writing organically and letting characters guide the story can lead to surprising results. We also touch on the challenges of quieting the inner critic while writing and learning from the structure and emotional moments in storytelling. Furthermore, we dive into the process of weaving a chess game throughout a novel, highlighting the importance of adaptability and intuition in both the game and the legal profession.

(0:28:15) - Benefits of Being Attorney (9 Minutes)
Diving into the relationship between being an attorney and a skilled novelist, we discuss the importance of storytelling in both professions. From courtroom dramas to compelling novels, the ability to captivate an audience and tell a story is crucial. However, not every lawyer is a good novelist, and the key to success lies in hard work, dedication, and the ability to take advice. 

(0:37:10) - Following Your Dreams Writing (9 Minutes)
We share personal stories and the powerful lessons learned from our fathers. We discuss how loyalty, following our dreams, and not waiting to pursue passions have shaped our lives and careers. As the discussion comes to a close, we share valuable advice for aspiring writers, emphasizing the importance of learning the craft of writing to save time, avoid pain, and create well-rounded characters.

The Thriller Zone with David Temple is sponsored in part by Blackstone Publishing.