Interview John
Suggested Intro
Joining us now is journalist, novelist, and writing coach John DeDakis [deh-DAY-kiss]. John is a former editor on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer."
During John's 45-year career in journalism, he was a White House correspondent during Ronald Reagan's presidency. John is the author of six award-winning mystery-suspense-thriller novels, plus he's a manuscript editor and motivational speaker.
John's most recent book is Plot Twists: A Memoir on Writing and Living.
John's specialty is helping wannabe writers become published authors. He also inspires people struggling with grief to use writing as a way to find healing.
Possible topics
Writing as a Way to Heal
Journalism: What Ever Happened to Objectivity?
From Novice to Novelist: How Do You Do it?
What to Expect When Working with an Editor
Writing the Political Thriller
Possible Questions
You were a journalist for 45 years, including a stint as a White House correspondent, and for seven years you were one of Wolf Blitzer's editors at CNN. How has journalism evolved over the years, and are you at all concerned? What was Wolf like to work with?
How did you get into journalism, and was it difficult to go from being a journalist to being a novelist?
In your opinion, is social media a blessing, or a curse? What about Artificial Intelligence?
Your most recent novel, Enemies Domestic, has won eight literary awards. It deals with abortion in the post Roe v. Wade era when a dictator becomes president. Is the story meant to be an anti Trump or anti abortion polemic?
In addition to Enemies Domestic, you've written five other novels in the Lark Chadwick mystery-suspense-thriller series -- Fast Track, Bluff, Troubled Water, Bullet in the Chamber, and Fake. Tell us about those. Does a person have to read the books in order?
Your first novel, Fast Track, was influenced by two tragedies--a fatal car/train collision you witnessed as a child, and your sister's suicide. What role did the subconscious play in transforming those experiences into fiction?
You write as a woman. Why? Is it hard?
Now that you have honed your writing from a female perspective, what have you learned about the mistakes men make in forging meaningful relationships with women?
Your fourth novel, Bullet in the Chamber, deals with your 22-year-old son’s heroin overdose death. Why would you want to tackle such a personal and painful topic?
Tell us about your memoir Plot Twists. What do you hope a person will take away from reading your story?
What would you say to the person listening right now who feels he or she has an interesting story to tell, but who feels confused or overwhelmed about how to get started?
As a manuscript editor, what is the most common mistake writers make?
What are you working on now?
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