Author JON LAND Discusses Brown University’s Thriller Archive and His New Book, PANDORA’S TEMPLE

From left: Jon Land, Steve Berry, R.L. Stine, Nelson DeMille, Lisa Gardner, David Baldacci

Last week, Brown University Library hosted a panel discussion that featured several of America’s most successful and renowned thriller writers.  Moderated by author Jon Land, the discussion between David Baldacci, Steve Berry, Nelson DeMille, Lisa Gardner, and R.L. Stine covered a gamut of topics including their personal definition of the genre, favorite books and the current state of the publishing industry.

Land, who is also the driving force behind Brown’s new Thriller archive, the first of it’s kind in the world, spoke to FOG! on the eve of the release of his thirty-second novel, Pandora’s Temple, which hits stores today.

You’re responsible for initiating a Thriller archive at Brown University.  What was the genesis of the project and why do you feel that such an archive is important?

My writer’s organization, International Thriller Writers, was founded in large part to forge a distinct identify for the Thriller genre apart from mysteries.  For much too long the two were mixed together, even though there are distinct differences in structure, theme, character and approach.  So the great thing about establishing the first ever dedicated Thriller Collection at Brown University’s esteemed John Hay Library is that it will help build respect for the genre and further establish its credibility and relevance in literature as well as pop culture.

The thriller genre often crosses over to mystery and horror.  How would you define a thriller?

Wow, that’s a great question! Generally, I’d define a thriller as any book you can’t book down.  But more specifically I’d define a thriller as a quest story where a hero is racing to stop something big and terrible from happening at the risk of his or her own life.  And you’re 100% correct in raising the issue of crossover.  Stephen King’s brilliant Firestarter may be shelved in the horror section, but at its heart is the perfect thriller.  Lee Child was president of Mystery Writers of America and now serves as president of ITW.  Venturing into film I call classic action films like Predator, Aliens, and Robocop “sci-fi thrillers.”  And by that I’m referring to pace and structure more than anything else.

You are Vice-President of Marketing for the International Thriller Writers.  How is the organization connected to the archive and what does it currently house?

We’re just getting started, so right now it houses my manuscripts, along with those of John Buchan, author of The 39 Steps which many feel is actually the first thriller.  But Steve Berry will be donating his papers and Sandra Brown will be donating a hefty portion of hers as well.  Additionally, International Thriller Writers will be contributing its founding documents, correspondence and collected papers encompassing the organization’s history.  ITW will also be helping with the selection and recruitment of additional authors to contribute to the Archive.

What writers currently inspire you?

Stephen King for his longevity and ability to suck you into the story better than anyone else I’ve ever read.  James Lee Burke for his dark, deconstructed world and lyrical brilliance as a writer.  Lee Child for creating the greatest post-modern series hero in Jack Reacher.  Michael Connolly for his pacing.  Don Winslow because of his risk-taking and blistering originality.  Steve Berry and James Rollins for their plotting.  I could go on forever, but that gives you an idea!

When writing a thriller, what generally is your focus; plot, character or narrative twists?

Not to cop out, but all of the above!  They’re very interconnected in the thriller form and you can’t have one without all—well, I guess you could, but it wouldn’t make for a really good book.  I echo the great John D. McDonald who said that story is stuff happening to people you care about.  If you don’t have a vested interest in the characters, if you don’t root for the hero, than all that happens is meaningless.  By the same token, though, you need a great plot that does those characters justice.  As for narrative twists, since I don’t outline lots of times they come as much of a surprise to me as they do to the reader.  Hey, after all, if I don’t know what’s going to happen next, how can anybody else?

Tomorrow, your thirty second book, Pandora’s Temple, is being released.  What’s it about?

To begin with, it brings back my original series hero Blaine McCracken after a 15-year absence from the page and poses the question, What if Pandora’s box was real?  That’s the dilemma facing McCracken as he races to stop two divergent evil forces from getting their hands on dark matter, the ultimate force in the universe that also has the potential to destroy the Earth.  The book’s origins actually lie with me “trying out” to become one of Clive Cussler’s co-authors.  I wrote an extended sample for Clive to make my case and when the fit just wasn’t right, I was left with a story that, with only minor modifications, was perfect for Blaine McCracken.  Of course, I hadn’t written him in fifteen years, which posed its own challenges I was able to swiftly overcome.  And the result is probably his biggest adventure ever.  Writing this book was like reconnecting with an old friend you haven’t seen in much too long.  But rest assured that McCracken’s next appearance will follow with a much shorter lag time!