Then came my book launch and months of spending every hour away from air traffic control doing book signings or events of one kind or another—marketing, promotions, seeking reviews, blah, blah, blah. The list goes on. What wasn’t getting done was the next book. No outline. No nothing. Oh, I tried sitting down many times with the best of intentions, but nothing came to me—nothing worth while anyway.

Then came New York City and ThrillerFest. One of the headline authors and one of my favorites, known for his many twists in story plots, was Harlan Coben. Debi and I listened to, talked to Harlan while we were there and he said something that got me to thinking. He said he doesn’t outline. He knows the beginning of his story, basically where he wants to go with the story, and he knows the big twist at the end. Everything else just happens as it happens.

At first I thought he was nuts. I meticulously outlined The Savannah Project because I did have a lot of twist and I was afraid I’d lose my way if I didn’t outline. I’ve talked to so many other authors who outline extensively, so I just assumed I must also. After I got back home from NYC with renewed enthusiasm, I sat down again to outline. NOTHING. By now, Debi-my much better half, is no longer encouraging me to write, she’s demanding it. “You’ll lose readers and fans.” She said. “People won’t wait, they just forget about you.”

I knew she was right. My response was simple. “Fine. I’ll try the Harlan Coben method. I know my beginning and my main twist at the end. I know where my story will go, so I’m just going to start writing with no outline.” WOW! I was so afraid I couldn’t write the story without knowing ahead of time where every little part of the story must go. I was wrong again. Eventually I did sit down one day and sketch out a rough storyline—what happens, to whom, and when—and I have, kind of, remained close to that sketch. But it’s loose, very loose.

I have found that not using an outline is very liberating. When I sit down to write, I have no idea where I’m going, just the general direction. I don’t know what’s going to happen next. I have no preconceived notion of the destiny of any character, including my main characters. And it’s great. I reread some of what I’ve written and wonder where the hell I came up with that stuff. I’ve allowed a creative, non-structured side of me to take over when I write. Every writing session is an adventure, not only for my characters but for me as well. A spontaneous journey. I know where I’ll eventually end up–I have no clue how I’ll get there.

This journey is fun. I’m glad I’m along for the ride. That may sound a little weird, but it’s like jumping in the car for a spontaneous road trip. Just drive. At the end of the day, you are where you are. Eventually you’ll reach your destination. Imagine all the sights you’ll see along the way.

As I wind this to a conclusion let me just say this. I don’t know if I’m having more fun writing or reading what I’ve written. I know I like this story a lot. I’m certain my readers will enjoy it too.

Thank you Harlan Coben.

http://chuckbarrett.org

Chuck Barrett

ISBN: 9781936214075

Switchback Publishing

Reviewed By Renee Washburn
After what appears to be a routine aircraft accident during a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, NTSB investigator Jake Pendelton is called to Savannah to explore the matter further. What he finds, though, arouses his deepest suspicions and soon sets off a deadly chain of events – the ultimate effects of which could topple governments…so, suddenly thrust into a race against time, it’s up to Jake to uncover the true cause of the crash before the killer strikes again – but only if he can avoid falling prey to a stealthy assassin tracking his every move…

The Savannah Project is a bona fide suspense thriller. Rife with abundant mystery and intrigue, author Chuck Barrett’s standout tale takes the reader on a tortuous path of all-engrossing action and adventure. In superlative fashion, Barrett masterfully unfolds the plot at breakneck pace while keeping the reader fully engaged in the story, ensuring that he/she doesn’t miss a thing all the way up to the riveting climax. Such a feat is not an easy one to pull off – even for the most seasoned scribe – but Barrett shows his considerable literary skill in crafting a compelling tale guaranteed to hold you at rapt attention until the very end. A highly recommended instant classic.

http://chuckbarrett.org

ThrillerFest–the annual coming together of  many thriller writers in NYC, one of the many things that the International Thriller Writers organization does for its members.

I attended this year and had a blast. I met some awesome writers, reviewers, agents and readers. I call them readers, they prefer to call themselves ‘consumers.’

ThrillerFest started with a day and a half of sessions designed to help a writer better their craft of writing–thus the title CraftFest. This was followed by half a day of speed-dating with agents. You guessed it-AgentFest. The next two days was ThrillerFest itself. More sessions about writing with Q & A for panel members to comment on, drawing from their own experiences. Also spotlight interviews with some pretty impressive names…Gayle Lynds, Harlan Coben, Ken Follett, David Morrell, Sandra Brown, Clive Cussler, Mark Bowden—what a list!

Panel members for the sessions were made up of a huge cast of authors–so many everyone has heard of many…Steve Berry, Joseph Finder, R. L. Stine,  and so many more I can’t begin to list them all. It was encouraging to hear the stories from so many authors about the beginning struggles of their careers as writers.

The Debut Authors breakfast was definitely a highlight as Brad Parks serenaded Brad Meltzer. If you haven’t seen that video, FIND IT. If you can’t find it on the ITW site, try You Tube. It’s worth a watch.

As with any successful endeavor, there are so many that worked behind the scenes to make it all possible. Kathleen Antrim, Vice President of ThrillerFest and Shane Gericke, ThrillerFest Chair did an outstanding job of pulling it all together.

I noted several times throughout my time at ThrillerFest one particular person darting from room to room, event to event to ensure that everything ran smoothly. Liz Berry, ThrillerFest Executive Director, did an outstanding job and made this year’s ThrillerFest a class act.

I, for one, am looking forward to ThrillerFest VI.

http://chuckbarrett.org

What are people saying about Chuck Barrett and The Savannah Project?

Author Reviews–

“The Savannah Project signals the arrival of a new member to the thriller genre. Chuck Barrett.  The tale contains all of the danger, treachery, and action a reader could wish for. The intrigue comes from all directions, slicing and stitching with precision.  A worthy debut from an exciting talent.”
-Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author

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“From the tree-lined streets of Savannah to the mossy stones of an ancient Irish castle, The Savannah Project weaves a fast moving tale of murder, mystery, and suspense. Chuck Barrett has written a winner here. A must-read novel for thriller lovers.”

-William Rawlings, best-selling author of The Mile High Club

Media Reviews–

Book Set In Savannah  By Mike Manhatton, WTOC-TV

Friday, March 26, 2010 at 9:54pm

Remember St. Patrick’s Day, BEFORE my painful meeting with the little car with sudden acceleration problems and no brakes? During our pre-parade show I interviewed author Chuck Barrett who’s just published a book with Savannah and St. Patrick’s Day as the backdrop. I promised to post his info here, and decided rather than lose it in the shuffle, I’d wait a bit. I’ve just finished the book, and it’s a good read. I’ve written a mini-review in my “Notes” section, and you can read it there, and learn more about Chuck and how to get “The Savannah Project.”

I “met” Chuck through a mass email he sent to the media a few weeks before St. Patrick’s Day, he was coming to town to sell & sign copies of his new book, “The Savannah Project.” Billed as a thriller, with Savannah and St. Patrick’s Day as a backdrop, I was interested, whether we covered the signing or not. Due to problems with the bookstore, they had to cancel the signing I went to, and I sent Chuck an email. He very graciously replied, and we struck up a conversation. I thought he was a natural for a brief live interview St. Patrick’s Day morning in the pre-parade show we do every year, and he joined us.

He did a great job, thinking on his feet, telling his story in 100 words or less, and made me more interested in the book. Not to spoil anything, but the book is set in Savannah, the story at the start wraps around a small plane crash that the FAA is investigating. There are international connections to the crash, political, and otherwise because of who’s on the plane, heading for St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah. But it gets very much more complicated than that as the story moves along. And it does move along. There are a few places where you might have to pause and put together a mental roster of characters so you understand who’s doing what, but trust me, every character has a role, there are no throwaways. His key characters are an air traffic controller and an FAA crash investigator. They don’t know each other before the crash brings them together, but how things develop fuels the story and provides characters you’ll care about. The investigation turns to action (no spoiler here) during the parade, when a key character winds up prey, his dangerous hunter pursuing him literally within the parade and the throngs of parade goers. Where the story turns from there, you’ll have to read on your own.

I’m certainly no literary critic, but I do enjoy reading. Among my favorite authors, Randy Wayne White of Doc Ford fame, he makes Florida’s Gulf Coast and points south come alive. James W. Hall, who with Thorn brings a dark side to the Sunshine State, the northern Keys in particular. And of course Golden Isles favorite, Steve Berry and Cotton Malone’s international adventures. Chuck Barrett’s first effort, “The Savannah Project” is a great start in that tradition, and I’ll be looking forward to a continuation if he decides to make it a franchise. The way “Project” ends, I certainly hope he does!

Reader Reviews–

I met Chuck at Thrillerfest 2010 along with many of my favorite old and new thriller writers from Clive Cusser and David Morrell and Doug Preston to Ted Dekker and Harlen Coben. I mention this because 1) I like a great thriller (and avoid those authors who don’t deliver on their promises of keeping me on the edge of my seat), and 2) to give you a flavor of the stories I like.

Chuck’s book, Savannah Project, is a GREAT read! Think Nelson DeMille meets Stephen Coonts – action-packed suspense with CSI-like insight into airline crash investigations on an international scale.

Pick up a copy of this book. You won’t be able to put it down!

Terry

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I loved the book! I like thrillers and this was awesome! I really love trying to guess all the twists before the author reveals them. This one had several surprises that had me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat trying to read fast enough to find out if I was right! It started out a little too gory to my liking, but the story pulled me in and held me. I can’t wait until his next one! Great job, Chuck!–tkakes66

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I thought this book was wonderful! There was a wonderful twists and turns to both the plot and the characters that will keep you intrigued. It had a great set of villains, all with a multitude of personal issues that would alternatively impede and push forward their evil agenda. The international plot swung from Savannah, Georgia to Ireland in dealing with the IRA, who I think is one of the oldest (If not the oldest) terriorist groups in existance. The Heros were at times impeded by the protocols and procedures of the agencies where they worked. Anybody who has ever worked for a government agency (And I do!) knows what that’s like. I thought it was a great read and I hope Mr. Barrett is working on a sequel. –Robyn

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Chuck-------Just finished your book----great read---had my
attention the whole time!
Hurry up with your next one.
Hope to be back to the First Coast soon.
--Charlie

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Wow! I just finished your book.  I bought it at the 1st Fri fest in
Panama City. I loved it!  I only have one question.
 When is the next one coming out? 
I am letting friends and family read it now.  I couldn't put it down.
Just amazing!
  --Kami

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Chuck, I just finished your book.  Wow!!!  I loved it.
I cannot wait for your next one to be released.
I have read many thrillers and this one takes them all.
The twist and turns kept me on the edge the entire time.
Thank you for such an awesome adventure.
 --Angela

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Chuck----great first book,the ending,it's not over???
Bought after seeing you being interviewed at this year's
St.Patrick's Day parade in Savannah..Can't wait for your next project....
--Frank

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The book was awesome! It kept twisting and turning with every chapter. I look forward to your next adventure and hopefully someday seeing one of your plots in a movie. Sign me up for an advanced copy of your next book! Keep up the great work.  -Doug

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I read the prologue of this book thinking I would read that before bed and get up to read the book the next morning. I never went to bed. The prologue caught my attention and the page turning action kept it. Did not expect the ending or the numerous twists and turns. A great book from start to finish!  -Cay

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Chuck Barrett`s new book, The Savannah Project, is indeed a thriller! I was glued to the book to the very end! Both, lads and lassies will enjoy it for different reasons. The guys especially will like the weapon descriptions and all the bloody, gruesome details. The intellectual humor and insertions of Savannah, Georgia and Irish history are a fantastic bonus!
Can’t wait for the sequel!!!  -Nancee

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If you like romance, thrills, suspense, then The Savannah Project is just the book you want to read! It has all of this and more! Once you start reading this book, you will not be able to put it down. There are twists-and-turns over every page and surprises that you won’t see coming. Chuck Barrett is an up-and-coming writer who definitely delivers in his first novel. This book is a must-read and you will not be disappointed! Great book and highly recommended!  -Melissa

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With the Savannah Project, Mr. Barrett captivates the reader from the first paragraph. The story is a whirlwind of action and intrigue from beginning to end. I can only hope Mr. Barrett is working on a sequel.  -Jackie

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The Savannah Project can keep you reading into the night, despite your better intentions to put it down. You take it with you wherever you go. The bathroom, breakfast, to work. Hard to put down. You get so enthralled by the adventure that you hardly notice the world. A genius storyteller, Chuck Barrett weaves this fascinating. action-packed tale of betrayal! Riveting till the very end, The Savannah Project delivers. A great read and highly recommended.   -Laurie

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With every twist and turn, the tension is ratcheted up another notch…jam-packed with clever plots, strong characters and amazing wit…a true page-turner!   -George

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An airplane crash investigation goes terrifyingly wrong – leading to murders, a chase through the colorful streets of Savannah, one of the most fascinating and memorable cities I know, and an international hunt for the secrets of a former IRA official and the assassin trailing him. This thriller has everything you could want — great characters, nonstop action, wonderful settings and a complex plot that builds to a smashing finale. Jake and Gregg make a well-matched pair of comrades, and I hope they’ll appear in many more Barrett books.   -Emily

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I read an advanced reading copy of The Savannah Project and loved it! Be prepared for the unexpected!  -Jennifer

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Excellent book capturing the reader from the first page! Great first book and I look forward to the next one from this amazing new author!!    -Marlena

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The Savannah Project is a fast paced thriller that takes you on an adventure through the historical streets of Savannah. Be prepared for unexpected twists and turns along the way!   -Karen

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Great book Chuck. Can hardly wait for next one.   -Patty

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WOW! Thanks. I enjoyed the read!! I saw an opening for a continuation. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!   -Phil

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I attended the book signing in Orange Park. We talked a bit and you told me I would enjoy this more than a James Patterson that I was intending to buy and I must say you we’re correct it was very entertaining and I can’t wait until you write another you are now one of my favorite authors. Job well done. I would never think this was your first book if you hadn’t mentioned it to me. I truly loved every page….. Great book I really can’t express enough how much I enjoyed it….Your Loyal reader now   -Zebby

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Chuck, literally just put your book down! All I can say is WOW! I thoroughly enjoyed the book. What a wild ride!  -Robin

And that is exactly what I found it to be. When I started this, my virgin experience to the book tour, I had no idea what to expect. The first day, the book launch, came and went and was a rush–as in surging emotion and thrill. It was an awesome day. I had a great turnout and sold a lot of books. That was Day One.

Day Two wasn’t quite so great. My wife came down with  the stomach flu and was too ill to accompany me to Savannah. So I packed the car, feeling bad that I had to leave her home alone–sick. I drove on up to Savannah and had a great signing at Barnes and Noble–sold out of books. They were happy, so was I. Another rush-surging emotion and thrill. I checked into my hotel and called Deb. She sounded horrible and I volunteered to just come on home but she insisted, for a couple of reasons, that I stay in Savannah.

I’ll keep the rest relatively brief so this doesn’t turn into a novella.

Day 3–battled internet issues with the hotel, updated website, uploaded photos and worked on promotion. Started communication with a newscaster from WTOC-TV11 in Savannah. Deb is a little better.

Day 4–took video of chase scene route. (haven’t uploaded it yet) Communicated more with newscaster and had interview potential for St Patty’s Day. Deb a little better still.

Day 5–St Patrick’s Day–It’s COLD and windy, yet I check out of the hotel and walk a mile and a half to the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist for a shot at an interview with Mike Manhatton, WTOC-TV11. 9:50-WTOC is shooting live from the street in front of the cathedral waiting for the parade to start. Mike Manhatton calmly talks to me as he nonchalantly pulls me to the middle of the street. He says something about Jody Chapin and the crowd then all of the sudden the cameraman turns towards us, Mike pulls up the microphone and starts talking and my throat just turned into the Sahara Desert. I struggled through the interview which seemed to last ten minutes, especially the parts where I stumbled on my words—actual time elapsed, about 45 seconds or so. I thanked Mike, hoofed the mile and a half back to the hotel, got in my car and drove home. Rush:move, act or progress with speed. Deb is a lot better when I get home.

Day 6–laundry, load car, drive to Panama City. Can’t stay up and chat, early morning interview the next day.

Day 7–Live interview with Paris Janos of WJHG-TV7 in PC.  That interview was great. Paris made it a snap. Rush:surging emotion and thrill.

DAy 8–Rush:act with speed. Two signings. Sold out the first, left a few books at the second.

Day 9–Same rush, pack car, hoof it to Tallahassee for a signing. Did pretty well then jumped in car and hustled back home.

Okay, I almost through. Needless to say I was pooped…AND just in time to go back to work. So now I’ve worked all week and I’m about to have another RUSH weekend. Please don’t think I’m complaining, I’m not. It’s is fun. It is exciting. And mostly, it’s something I wanted to do.

So, the RUSH is a RUSH. It’s also been an eye opening experience and most of all, a learning experience.

Til next time….Chuck

Click here to play…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3OlqI1prJ0

Now that I’ve outlined the program, let may say a little about the presentation. AWESOME. To be honest, I’ve heard some of Steve’s presentations before at other events but nevertheless, I learned something new and he made the presentations interesting, entertaining, and certainly worthwhile.

I had never heard Liz Berry speak before today, actually I’ve only talked to her once before. Her presentation on the business of writing was full of useful information that every author should know concerning publicity, marketing and building professional relationships within the industry and amongst fans.

They make a dynamic speaking couple and every author should make an attempt to see this presentation. I know I walked away a winner.

Chuck

http://chuckbarrett.org

Since I won’t have a book out for another month, I attended this year’s festival as I had in the past, with the intent on learning something new to help me in the future. And I did. The first workshop for me was listening to Vic DiGenti’s discussion on effective beginnings, middles and endings. I have listened to Vic on several occasions, however this was the first time I’d heard this presentation. It was an interactive group session with a pop quiz at the beginning–I failed miserably. Thank goodness nobody knew. Oops.

The second session of the morning was with William Rawlings. Yes, I mentioned him last week. An I’m going to mention him again. William’s presentation was on cost-effective marketing techniques. I took three pages of notes. Once again, William presented helpful and timely information that will be useful in my endeavors to market my book. William always has some ‘good to know’ information and I enjoy attending his presentations.

Now for my ‘it’s a small world’ moment. I chose “Publicity and Publishing on the Literary Landscape” as my after lunch session. The presenter was Kathie Bennett of Magic Time Literary Agency. Never heard of her before but the topic was of interest to me so off I went. Right before class she was just carrying on casual conversations with those who were already in the room and mentioned she was moving back home to Panama City. Ding, Ding, Ding. Bells are going off in my head–I grew up in Panama City and this woman is roughly my age. Not to bore you too much with the details, as it turns out her maiden name is Clemons and guess what, I used to live 4 or 5 houses down from a girl named Kathie Clemons. Same person. Now, she is a publicist for Cassandra King and Janis Owens, who were both headline authors at this year’s festival.

Kathie is a busy person and I would have liked to have been able to spend a little more time catching up, but that’ll just have to wait for another time…hopefully a month from now when I’m in Panama City with my book for sale.

Saturday’s weather is much better, cold but clearing rapidly. The rest of the festival will be great as well.

Chuck

http://chuckbarrett.org