Harlan Coben Talks Books at the Love Our Libraries Luncheon

With Harlan Coben

Author Harlan Coben kicked off his appearance at the Love Our Libraries Luncheon by sharing that he became a reader at a young age. Not a huge surprise. But how that came about was a bit surprising. Coben's parents used their local library as a babysitter. I can just imagine them cheerily saying, "Honey, we're off to dinner. The library's open until 9 so we'll pick you up then." 

Luckily (for him and his readers), Coben enjoyed exploring the library's offerings. That early love of reading led to Coben becoming a Writer (capital "W" intended). As of last count, more than 90 million copies of his 35+ books have been published globally. His work has been translated into 46 languages. He's the first author to win the trifecta of Edgar, Shamus and Anthony awards. And there are a dozen adaptations of Coben's novels on Netflix, with more in the works. Color me impressed.

Coben with Emily Walsh from The Observer

Given how prolific Coben is, it wasn't surprising to learn that he writes a book a year. He said that, like childbirth, it takes about nine months start to finish. He also said that like childbirth (so he's heard), some days he feels like he's glowing and other days he feels like a load from a dump truck has landed on him. He's always glad when he finishes up his latest book. He noted that some writers say, "I miss the characters from [insert name of last novel here]." To that, Coben retorts, "Shut up!" By the time he's done writing and editing his latest work, he's more than ready to move on from the lives of the fictitious people with whom he's become intimately acquainted.

As you hopefully are gathering, Coben is an animated speaker, and he often used funny stories to illustrate his point. Take, for instance, an old text chain between his wife and daughter he used as an example of how you might employ dialogue as a means of creating character. 

Mom: "Why are you home?"
Daughter: "Stomach not feeling well."
Mom:  "Mine too. Diarrhea?"
Daughter: "Bye." 

That exchange gives you a pretty good sense of their dynamic, doesn't it? It also made me think about the hazards of living with a writer. I for one am glad I don't share space with someone who might use the random things that come out of my mouth as inspiration or dialogue. But I digress.

For the aspiring authors at the event, Coben noted that he teaches on online class about writing a thriller. He went on to share his three keys to writing a book -- inspiration, perspiration and desperation. For Coben, inspiration isn't only kicking around an idea. It's feeling a need to communicate that idea to other people. He finds it annoying when people say they write for themselves. Isn't that comparable to being satisfied talking to yourself? 

Perspiration is of course actually writing. Not writing an outline, not hanging out at Starbucks contemplating the plot, and definitively not whining about the project. Okay then. As for desperation, it's the feeling that he's not fit to do anything other than write. Surely he has other marketable skills? Nope (at least not in his mind). He said he'd be a duvet cover if he wasn't a writer. Hard to visualize, but I got the point.  

As the conversation neared its end, Coben threw out an offer to include the name of someone in the audience in his next novel in exchange for a $10,000 donation to the Library Foundation. He warned that there were no assurances as to what the context would be. He or she could be a minor character or a bad guy or the person who ends up dead. In other words, buyer beware. Nothwithstanding the warning, it took less than a minute before a hand went up. I wish I'd gotten the woman's name to look for in his next book. 

Thanks to the Library Foundation for bringing another terrific author to its annual luncheon. It was great fun for a great cause. Support your local library!