Hey there everyone, so good to see you all again.

We’re kicking the Author Interview series off this year with a massive bang, so join me now as we chat to author K.J Howe and delve into her world of Kidnap & Ransom thrillers, led by a strong independent heroine too.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the ride.

 

Hi there Kimberley, thank you for taking the time to be with us today to give us more insight into you and your gripping writing.

Let’s start with your debut novel “The Freedom Broker”. This novel excites me, especially the fact that you have an alpha female heroine to root for — Thea Paris, an elite negotiator dealing with kidnap and ransom. Please tell us more about the background behind your thriller, the nature of the plot itself, and the challenges your protagonist is pitted up against.

Thanks, David. I appreciate your enthusiasm and interest. Thea Paris is an elite kidnap negotiator who travels undercover to the globe’s hotspots with one mission in mind—bringing hostages home. The work is personal for her because of a childhood traumatic experience. While growing up, her family lived in Africa because of her father’s oil business. Her brother was kidnapped in her place when he was twelve and Thea was eight, and although her brother came home after nine months of captivity, he was never the same. In fact, the experience left a deep wound on everyone in the family. In THE FREEDOM BROKER, the story comes full circle when Thea’s father is kidnapped—the past and present merge, and secrets are unveiled that could destroy the Paris family.

For the last several years, I’ve been researching kidnap and ransom extensively, interviewing elite kidnap negotiators, former hostages, K&R insurance executives, and the Special Forces soldiers who deliver ransoms and execute rescues. It has been a fascinating and eye-opening experience. There are over 40,000 kidnappings a year — and those are just the reported cases. Kidnapping has become an international crisis as well as a booming criminal enterprise.

I really enjoyed writing about Thea and her family, and the backdrop of the world of kidnapping is a fascinating one. The book explores betrayal and secrets, the cornerstone of most dysfunctional families. And Thea also has to deal with the challenge of having type 1 diabetes while living a demanding and active lifestyle.

You are also the Executive Director of ThrillerFest, the International Thriller Writers annual conference held in NYC every July. Can you describe the experience for us and why this is such a fantastic event for fans of the thriller genre, along with aspiring and established thriller writers?

I’m quite honoured to be part of the International Thriller Writers. A not-for-profit organization, our mandate is to support thriller authors of all levels. We have specialized craft classes taught by the best in the business, a speed-dating event called PitchFest where aspiring authors can pitch to over 60 top agents, cocktail parties where attendees can mingle with bestselling authors, educational sessions about marketing books, an awards ceremony to honour the best books of the year, and so much more. If anyone has questions, I encourage them to write me at kimberleyhowe@thrillerwriters.org. If you’re a thriller enthusiast, and I mean this in the broadest of terms, then we’d love to have you join us at www.thrillerfest.com.

If your book was to be made into a film (or even a TV series), who would you cast in the lead roles?

That would be a dream come true. For Thea, I’d choose Halle Berry or Selma Hayek, as they are both talented actresses who also have type 1 diabetes. For Thea’s brother, Nikos, Joaquim Phoenix would be perfect!!! As for tactical expert Rif Asker — I’d either choose Jim Caviezel from PERSON OF INTEREST or Philip Winchester from STRIKE BACK. Rif is the strong, silent type, but when he speaks it’s usually worth listening.

What do you find the most difficult thing about writing? And what do you find the easiest?

Great question. For me, editing is the most demanding and intensive work when it comes to writing. As you read your prose for the fiftieth time (truly, not kidding!), it can feel laborious, but you can’t compromise. Readers deserve seamless writing, and prose that looks easy, usually isn’t. It takes unrelenting commitment to have that discipline, and I have plenty of work ahead before I can come close to mastering that skill.

The easiest part of writing is coming up with ideas for stories. Thea Paris is an elite kidnap negotiator, and I keep thinking of different countries and unique adventures for her and her team of operatives. If only I had more free time to write all these fun tales.

Who are some of the authors and historical figures that inspire you?

When I read THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE ROSE by David Morrell, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I was caught up in the fascinating world of spies he created. And I’ve been lucky to have David as a mentor. He has encouraged me, pushed me to dig deeper, and been there to nudge me in the right direction as I embark on this extraordinary journey. Lisa Gardner’s THE PERFECT HUSBAND was another novel that really excited me, inspiring me to try my hand at writing. Lisa is a fantastic writer and a lovely person. Steve Berry has also been a huge inspiration, his knowledge in both the craft and business sides of writing is truly unsurpassed.

I would strongly encourage anyone who wants to write thrillers to join ITW via www.thrillerwriters.org. You’ll find many kindred souls, people who really get you.

What sort of research did you do to write your book?

Intensive research into the dark world of K&R over several years. I have interviewed countless people in the kidnapping industry, including real life kidnap negotiator, Dr. Francis Grimm. I have also had the privilege to become friends with former hostage Peter Moore, who was the longest held captive in Iraq. I have also taken combat courses and participated in a host of other thrilleresque activities to familiarize myself with the tools of the trade. I also try to travel to as many locations as I can — it helps to bring verisimilitude to the setting, and it’s inspiring for story ideas.

Why do you write? What inspired you to become a writer?

I had an eclectic upbringing, living in different countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Travel and adventure were a wonderful part of my life. Always the new kid, I lost myself in books, an escape into a magical existence when I needed one. Fast forward into the future where I wanted to create my own fictional world, a place where others could decompress from the pressures of their lives for a few enjoyable hours. Writing fiction also provides catharsis for me, a way of expressing emotions, working through issues. Something extraordinary happens when characters come alive on the page, and I couldn’t imagine a better life than being an author. Now I get to meet fascinating people and call it research. I am able to travel to unique locales and soak in the surroundings. I can enjoy adrenaline-inducing adventures and integrate them into the writing. It’s a dream job.

What keeps you motivated during creative slumps? How do you deal with Writers Block?

Research is key to me. If I’m struggling with a scene, I’ll do some research, and I’ll be inspired—and the book will be better for it. Sometimes we all write ourselves into a corner, but there’s always a way out. Neuroplasticity is key to quality writing—when we write books, we create new pathways in our brains. Keep creating those paths, and you’ll find the right route to answer your dilemma.

You have access to a time machine. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Believe in yourself. And I’d give that same advice to any aspiring author. Everyone takes a different route to being published, but you need to have that powerful, internal belief that you can do this, no matter what it takes.

How do you spend your free time when you are not writing?

Adventure. Travel. Sports. And if all three can be combined, so much the better. I’ve enjoyed ziplining in Costa Rica, diving with Great Whites in South Africa, racing camels in Jordan, and interacting with elephants in Botswana. I also love learning, researching, and connecting with new people.

Tell us more about your upcoming projects. Are you working on anything specific or have plans in the pipeline?

I was fortunate to secure a two-book deal for the Thea Paris series in the US, U.K., and Canada, so I’m hard at work on book two now. Thea Paris is taking two African former child soldiers to their new home in London when the jet they are on is hijacked—and the fun begins from there. SKYJACK will be out February 2018.

Finally, are there any nuggets of wisdom that you can impart to other aspiring writers?

Ask people you respect for advice. Embrace constructive criticism even though it might sting. Visualize the moment that call will come in, telling you that your book has sold—and live, breathe, and believe, until it actually happens. Persevere, and it will.

And that’s a wrap! Thank you for spending time with us today and we can’t wait to get stuck into your thrilling book 🙂

Thank you for hosting me and for asking such interesting questions. It has been an honour to be interviewed by such an insightful and talented author. Wishing you continued success with your career.

Bio:-

K.J. Howe is the executive director of ThrillerFest, the annual conference of International Thriller Writers. A three-time Daphne du Maurier Award winner, she completed her MA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University. She is an avid traveler who has raced camels in Jordan, surfed in Hawaii, and dove with the great whites in South Africa. She became fascinated by the kidnap and ransom (K&R) world after meeting Peter Moore, a British computer consultant who became the longest-held hostage in Iraq and the only person to survive of the five men who were taken that day.

You can connect with K.J on the following Social Media channels:-

Facebook:- Author K.J. Howe (FB)
Goodreads:- K.J. Howe (Goodreads Author)
LinkedIn:- Author K.J. Howe (LinkedIn)
Twitter:- @KJHoweAuthor (Twitter)
Website:- K.J. Howe, Author of Thrillers

You can buy her book here:-

Buy K.J. Howe’s books in Canada

Buy K.J. Howe’s books in the UK/Europe

Buy K.J. Howe’s books in the US/Rest of the World

If you too would like to be interviewed on my blog at TooFullToWrite and you have a book or a series of books that you would like us to chat about then fill out the Contact Me form here with your details and we can arrange a future interview slot.

Still want more? Well K.J. Howe’s book has her protagonist Thea Paris dealing with Kidnap and Ransom negotiation. For more articles on the theme of ‘Gone’ then check out the links below:-

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2. Chronicals of The Black Files: The Apocalypse – The Harlem Experiment
3. Gone – Purple Mystique
4. LONGLEAF STORIES – Evanescence of Dreams
5. Gone – Nomadic Adventurer
6. Day 3 – Gone
7. It’s Over… – Seeds of Greatness
8. Mainline_Matter – Gone Fishin’
9. The Write Edge Writing Workshop by Ekta R. Garg – Writing prompts for Monday, January 9, 2017
10. My Mixed Blog – Hope Gone On Day One
11. The Showers of Blessing – Gratitude Moments #5
12. Dear Mom and Dad – A Place for my thoughts
13. Why I Couldn’t Get the Thigh Part Chicken for Lunch – Alyssa Paula
14. Land of the Living – Where Maple Trees Dance Burlesque
15. Success Inspirers World – Precious Moments
16. Precious Moments – atrangizindagieksafar
17. In Waiting – Youniverse
18. Anil’s Blog – Gone are the days…
19. To miss or not to miss, that is the question – Train Of Thoughts
20. A Travel To Gold Coast in Gone 2016 – Welcome To Life Memoirs Blog
21. A Day Late – Books & Coffee
22. BodynSoil – Easy Email Cleanup with Unroll.me
23. 26 Letters Poetry Blog – Last Wish
24. Steps Times Two – In the Name of Faith
25. The View From My Window – Dandelion Thougts and Days Gone By…
26. Your space between storms – Your Guided Journal
27. Finding My Own Way – Gone
28. words for ghosts – The Vulture
29. Home Coming – alfaazmeredilse
30. 100 word story – Forgiven – a nomad in cyberspace
31. Gone Is The Day – Live Free & Love On Purpose
32. Gone…9th October – kashiarebecca
33. It’s All in Finding the Right Words – Gone Fishin’
34. Everyday Gyaan – Help and Hope While You’re Healing
35. Finding Miracles At Our Breaking Point – Lance Price Blog 2017
36. Just A Pizza My Mind – Missed Opportunities
37. andsoitisborn – Gone
38. aLightningbug – Oh Look, 2017!
39. Has Humanity Gone Too Far in Digital and Robotic Enhancements? – WeDiscover USA Geeks
40. Longing for Crayons – Debbie Gravett
41. Blast From the Past – The Chaos Within
42. Gone… Just Like That – One Stone Away…
43. Break-up anniversary – Alphe’s corner
44. Bittersweet Sensations – I’m Done
45. Gone – Melinda J. Irvine
46. A Better Way to Resolve to Have a Better Year – Fast and Fit with Mark and Jacie
47. There Are More Poets than Stars in the Firmament – extinction cruise
48. Building the bridge … – Lucy’s Journal
49. Frost At Midnite – Ban Galore
50. New Year #BarWoWe – Sanch Writes
51. Chocolate Dazed – Going, going, gone
52. tuckedintoacorner – the apparition (400)
53. Gone …. or have they? – The Reflections
54. logicaldreams – Drabble: Morning Routine
55. Life Less Ordinary – My name is shame
56. When the river shuts its mouth – Your Creative Journal
57. mylocalweb – Gone in 15 minutes
58. Joyously Hopeful – The garden of my heart
59. tinyfawns – Sad Happy Meal
60. Rollercoaster – @Peter’s Blog
61. Personal Geographic – OLDER
62. Who’s your daddy? – Melolontha by the River
63. A Momma’s View – A Retrospective
64. So Done… – Sana Thoughts..
65. Crime I need not to pay – #28poet
66. zombrian – Grief and those who are gone
67. Time – caffeinetoyourdecaf
68. Isabel Caves – Gone
69. Gone are the days – thinkinkadia
70. Mournful – So I Feel
71. Beautiful Broken Things – day 3, gone.
72. mind it ! – Gone case
73. Gone – Window To My Thoughts
74. Noner Says… – All Gone
75. the15thday – shared stranger toe jam
76. Margret’s Life Journey! – Gone
77. Gone – How Time Slips Away – Cross Eyed Christianity
78. Gone – tryingtogetthroughblog
79. A.M. Llovit – The permanence of change
80. STELLA CAROUSEL – Gone-Love
81. Gone – My Eternal Partner
82. My bed is a fantasy island – Serendipitous Web Life
83. Matching Tracksuits – Gone
84. Flowers and Breezes – Gone
85. Gone – Kim Orlowski
86. Gone, Gone, Gone – Sascha Darlington’s Microcosm Explored
87. After a Winter Rain – Heaven’s Sunshine
88. Gone is gone – Kitty Luv
89. Venice Elegance – Evelina
90. Ryker’s Pad – Gone
91. Everyday Essentialism – Gone
92. Gone-by Walking – More Than Just Me
93. ardysez – gone, with a whinge…
94. Where o’ Where…. – Beyond Words
95. Christie & Adam P11: Christie’s world crashes down – Rexine Rawhead
96. Gone – Inner Whispers
97. Gone – Animalistic Writing
98. Battling the Winter Blues – Unfolding From the Fog
99. Goodbye, Child – PalHachi
100. Gone – The Bag Lady
101. Lost Property Repository – Dwight Yoakam you have a lot to answer for!
102. Life happens!! – Gone!
103. manvsloneliness – Day 179: The Man and the Departure; ‘Gone’
104. Silence – Leigha Robbins
105. Oh, Noisy Mind – Seconds
106. the woof of darkness thick – Scattered Showers in a Clear Sky
107. Le Drake Noir – Party is over
108. Angelic Hands – Gone, but still with me.
109. Gone – disue
110. Gone – thehouseofbailey
111. 83 Unsung Heroes – Reclaiming Time
112. Cage Dunn: Writer and Author – Unnamed
113. My Housemate’s a Mermaid – Gone are the Days
114. Covert Novelist – Gone
115. Daily Post One Word Prompt – Gone -January-3-2017 – A Writer’s Life
116. CoverGirl Outlast finishing powder, concealer + lip color review – A Day with Alex
117. Those Days are Gone… – shivamt25
118. Love, all gone? – Random Thoughts and Musings
119. Gone: 362 Days Left to Make the Most of… – Shelby’s Starlit Crossing
120. Gone – Bright Blue Marble
121. New Ideas And Inspirations – Gone
122. BodynSoil – Easy Email Cleanup with Unroll.me
123. A Journey Through Life – Go Away!
124. Gone – Image & Word
125. Gone – livergoodmakes
126. Finding Hope Ness – ‘Heat wave’ at the North Pole waves a red flag
127. My Own Little Wars – Gone
128. Gone – The Writer’s Block
129. Success Inspirers World – She’s gone
130. Thought#3 – Life at 17
131. The Gad About Town – ‘Take One Last Look’
132. Autism in Our Nest – “Your Eye is Open.”
133. Two Goddesses – ARMY OF THE FALLEN BIKERS
134. Not Here – enrayn
135. Business ethics and morality gone awry – Your Nibbled News (c) 2017 YNN
136. Faith Unlocked – Bygones, Begone
137. I am a Bigger Tigger – My Loud Bipolar Whispers
138. I’ve misplaced my spectacles! – Making Sense of Complications
139. Gone – My organic adventure
140. Veils – a moment teller’s
141. When My Heart Stops – Zone of Non-being
142. Singular Fiction – The Courage to Delete – #amediting
143. Perceptive Pot Clueless Kettle – Farewell To The Holidays
144. A Potentially Loaded Question. – They Once Called Her Pumpkin…
145. The Lebanese way – My Beirut
146. Gone – All About Writing and more
147. Frank Prem – fetching the firewood
148. I Will Fight Site – Blackness
149. Gone are etiquette and common sense – Yowza, Here We Go!
150. The One That Got Away… – christinademerisvlog
151. Willow’s Corner – Bits and Bobs
152. The Reaper – Spectres & Stardust
153. Ups, Downs & Deviations – Leaving
154. Gone – The Inkwell
155. Gone without a Trace – A Place to learn and grow together
156. Lindsey and Alex online dating part 3 – Elaine’s Inner Sanctuary
157. Common Ground – Running away
158. Insach – 2017 – 3/365
159. Lofty Goals – If Moms Could Write
160. A Tribute To My Grandmother – The peepal
161. fading memories – The Rucksack
162. Christine’s Collection – Character Study
163. Jibber Jabber with Sue – Darkness No More, I Can Feel It
164. To Snowdrops Flowering Early – Susan Rushton
165. Musings of a Menopausal Maven – Going, Going,….
166. Far Gone – Cmoas
167. The Sleeping Reading Beauty – Gone With The Time
168. Grammy Writes – When the Artwork is Gone
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170. My Art & Me – Gone Moments…
171. Laughter Brothers – 6 Principles of Persuasion
172. Musings of a Random Mind – In Memoriam
173. Unsought – The Medici Files
174. Beyond Struggle .. – Gone are those days i hated hostel
175. Poems and Petals – Color My Dreams
176. tylershepard1991 – word of the day – gone
177. ehealthwellness – Healthy outlook 2017
178. Blank sheet. – Vickie’s Corner
179. kStan(ly) kSays – just as much
180. Thumbs up cooking – 10 things that are GONE!!!!
181. Gone – LAW OF THE LETTER
182. Nothing to Say. – Mimi A. Hanson
183. La La Land-Film Review – HorseAddict
184. Creating Kings – Personal Log; Time is a River……
185. the stolen hearts – Love it Now
186. It’s the Beginning of the New and the Time is Noted – findingenvirons
187. Ido – apserranoblog
188. Close by heart. – suzhalgal
189. THINGS DO GO WRONG – Rainbow
190. Travel Much? – The Cursed Forest
191. Impossible to Please You – Zone of Non-being
192. schreibreise – Auf alten Wegen unterwegs
193. Travel Much? – The Doc’s in!
194. Bringer Of Old Traditions? – emotionsoflife2016
195. Gone – PEANUT
196. The Cat Chronicles – Daily Feline Prompt: Gone Feline
197. kStan(ly) kSays – what arnold failed to say
198. kStan(ly) kSays – no party girl no more
199. Fractured history lessons ⋆ Obsolete Childhood
200. kStan(ly) kSays – them sheep
201. Codgeress – I’m a Writer, Yes, I Am!
202. Splendippity – Obsessed with Jackson Hole
203. Caged Raven – Gone
204. The Orange Wall – The Alchemist of the Woods
205. Turn That Radio Up – Gone
206. B_ up to date – I had to …
207. juantetcts – Gone
208. Cheers – aYoKa
209. Gone – Wings Of Poetry
210. Be Still, Dear Heart – Sunken Thought
211. Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss – Where has it gone?
212. Gratitude Note: Ice Cream=Love – Cozy Light
213. THE ICONOPHILE – I do solemnly declare…
214. Gone Goodies – rupalislale
215. Turn Around – Quill & Parchment
216. Sure Scribbles – Love at First sight
217. Just Empty Shoes – Gone
218. A Proposition – thepathtocreativity
219. What are you waiting for? – Yuhu
220. The Mind of Nox – Gone
221. Cahla’s Tawkin’ – Gone
222. Baby Gates Down – Encore for Dad – How Do I Get to Alone?
223. Gone – Full-Time
224. The [Password] is “Password” – Vuelto
225. Let it be beautiful – Gone
226. sonja benskin mesher – . one stroke .
227. Boat cruise Dubai marina – 5 Luxury Things to Do in Dubai – Yacht in Dubai
228. Amazing Grace…She’s Gone – Authentic Woman—Rena Brooks
229. Wanton – Sinner’s Prayer ~ Fallen Saint
230. Tiny Steps – The Soulance Blog
231. The sharp intrusion of reality – trailingthoughtsblog
232. thelonerose – GONE
233. MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO – Gone
234. Martha L Shaw – ETERNITY
235. Relax – Day 3
236. lifelessons – a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown – Ode to Father Time
237. Betcha Didn’t Know! – Women are people! Not dolls!
238. SMOK XPro M65 Variable Wattage APV Box Mod – Vape Style Blog
239. KO Rural Mad As Hell Blog – Your health care dollar
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241. Electrified – The Girl with the Butterfly Tattoo
242. Jensen Am And Fm Alarm Clock Shower Radio With Fog Resistant Mirror – Zogi Deals Blog
243. December 2016 Miles – Sneakers on Pavement
244. tell me – writemebad
245. {fiction} Gone – Mademoiselle Louise
246. Jane’s had an idea! – Elaine’s Inner Sanctuary
247. Gone: 2 Versions – True_George
248. Gone #2 – Mrs Reckless Writes
249. To new beginnings! – Afterlife Love Story
250. Zombie Flamingos – It’s cold here
251. It starts with me – Strengths of an addict’s child
252. 2016: The Year That Claimed Legends… Especially Those That Changed Our Lives *update* – Sup, Nerds!
253. Madeline Scribes – Sleeping in the Airport
254. The Write Project – It flies
255. Whip up this spinach, tofu and rice recipe in no time – art of being fabulous
256. Lords of Waterdeep is a Masterpiece Tabletop Board Game in Beauty and Deceit – WeDiscover USA Geeks
257. Let it be beautiful – Gone
258. Kiss to send it off – Magpie in the City
259. Gone – Daily Prompt – Ladyleemanila
260. Devil Doll Musings – Gone
261. Kate Murray – Gone
262. Hot White Snow – Gone But Forgotten
263. Go Gone Gone – In my world
264. Gone… – Emotions that matter.
265. Southern By Design – Gone But Not
266. Whisky evening – Don’t hold your breath
267. And then there was one – Are you really gone?
268. Inspiration – S. Thomas Summers
269. Bring organization to your post-holiday chaos – MidLife Inspirations
270. 80. Together – Brindology
271. 10 Best Gifts for Your Girlfriend – Unique Lovely Gifts
272. Life’s punches – A dream that has gone…
273. Look What I Found – Pete Gardner Psalms
274. Designer Sophisticate – Migraines are no fun.
275. Glen Campbell – Just Writing!
276. Ups, Downs & Deviations – Resurgence
277. Hot Dogs and Marmalade
278. The Wandering Poet – Waiting for snow to be gone
279. Hot Dogs and Marmalade – Christmas Flowers
280. confessions of an indian curry-eater – Maveli, City Centre, Sheffield (61%)
281. ….on pets and prisoners….. – daily prompt: gone
282. The Temptation of More – Patches of Light, Pieces of Grace
283. Lost Property Repository – Nothing
284. I wrote a book. Now what? – Redundantly Redundant Redundancies
285. Lantern Words – It Is Gone