I had a chance to ask Kyle Mills, NYTs Bestselling author, a few questions about writing, and leaving the Vince Flynn series.
1. Code Red's premise sounds fascinating. Could you share how the initial idea for the novel came to you, and how it evolved throughout the writing process?
I’m really interested in asymmetrical warfare. In the current context, traditional wars are necessarily losing propositions. This was recently demonstrated in Afghanistan and it’s currently playing out in Ukraine. If China decides to invade Taiwan, I imagine that it will be another example. They’ll end up with staggering casualties, civil unrest, and an economy in freefall. Stupidity and megalomania are the only motivations for this kind of adventurism in 2023.
Asymmetrical warfare is different. It can be waged cheaply, stealthily and without serious repercussions. It can also be extremely effective. I wanted to explore that.
2. Every writer has their own rituals or habits while working on a book. What are some quirky or unusual writing rituals you follow to get into the creative zone?
I’m the exception! Half a bagel, a Coke, and I get to work. That’s it. No lucky rabbit’s foot, sentimental typewriter, or elaborate office. Just a keyboard and a reasonably comfortable place to sit.
3. Writing can be an emotional journey for authors. Were there any moments during the creation of Code Red that surprised you emotionally (especially with it being your last novel in the series), or moments that had a profound impact on your writing?
My journeys tend to be especially emotional. Despite having written a lot of books, I still find the process terrifying. Every time I start a new one, I stare at the blank screen and think the same thing—that writing a 400 page novel is impossible. Then I talk myself down and remind myself to never think about it as a whole. That I need to focus on nothing but the next word or idea.
4. The characters in your novels often feel so vivid and real. How do you develop your characters to make them come alive on the page? Is there any specific technique you employ?
I tend to use a bit of applied schizophrenia. I become the character whose point of view I’m writing from. That way I don’t really have to calculate what they say and do, it just flows naturally. Sometimes it’s hard to get into that state though—particularly if the character is very different than I am.
5. How do you maintain tension throughout the story without exhausting the reader?
Personally, I like to do it with humor. It’s not the only way, though. The Rapp books, for instance, didn’t include a lot of humor. Having said that, sometimes you were exhausted after reading one. But in a good way!
6. Writing a novel can be a challenging endeavor. Have you ever experienced writer's block while working, and if so, how did you overcome it?
I’m lucky in that I’ve never experienced writer’s block per se. Sometimes it takes me some time to come up with a concept that I find inspiring. And it often takes me a while to figure out complicated scenarios. Today, for instance, I was trying to plan an assassination. I imagine I do it just like a professional killer. I gather everything I know about the would-be victim and devise a plan that allows me to do away with them and escape. If they have a lot of security (which was the case with the scenario I’m currently working with) that can be tricky.
7. How have you felt about passing the reins over to Don Bentley for the Vince Flynn novels?
It’s been bittersweet for sure. Mitch is one of my favorite literary characters and the fans have been great. These ten years have definitely been a highlight of my writing career.
But it was time to do something different.
8. What projects/stories can we expect from you in the future, and when? I’m bringing back a character I created many years ago named Fade—a former SEAL who went on a bit of a suicidal rampage in the eponymous novel. He’s been lying in a coma at the back of my mind ever since and now’s the moment to resurrect him. As a character, he’s a little nuts, extremely deadly, and occasionally hilarious. The perfect person to try to save the weird and dangerous world we find ourselves in. Assuming he can tear himself away from his pitcher of margaritas and Go Go’s records.
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