Ted Strahan - How to write a spy novel

Have you ever wondered how authors come up with information for their novels?  Novelist, Ted Strahan share some excellent insight into how he gathers data and creativity in writing his intriguing spy novels.  First Ted shared some tips from the IRS.  One benefit of working at the IRS in the division he is in is that he sees some very interesting names come across his desk and often utilizes parts of them to create great names for his books. 

 

Some interesting factoids from Ted:

* Central America generates a lot of fake passports

* North Korea only has 300 miles of paved highway - oh and they are crazy

*Putin will always take care of Russia (and himself) first - and so will the US

* Clinton went to Russia as a Rhodes Scholar - the very best 'spy' opportunity

* There are 200,000 FSB (Russian Spies) in Russia

* SVR is the Russian Spy agency out of country

* Russia trusts no one

* Putin was trained by the KGB, he even has his own web page that creates his persona.  Recently he received a doctorate of economics without attending a university.

* The Russians are wonderful bad guys

* The Cubans recruit spies from Ivy League schools

* Most US spies are capitalists - in it for the money

* There is always a little truth in every good spy novel to make it interesting. 

* 20 years ago, Ted wrote about  the middle east and recruiting US home-grown terrorists - who knew it was going to become reality.

* Technology will not keep you safe

* Ted subscribes to Stratfor (Austin based intelligence gathering organization) to gather information about world events and threats.

 

You can get Ted's books:

The Borisov Dilemma - can be purchased a variety of sources

The Terrorist Mind - can only be purchased on-line

 

Visit Ted's blog: