13 Days of Terror
Page 29
I loved the emails from so many readers, those who loved the novel, those who wanted to kill me because of the ending, those who disagreed with the decision initially, but later jumped to my thinking. As I mentioned in the Afterword to Wolfman is Back, the ending was an emotional experience for me.
After a break from Brad for a few months to write Speargrass—Opioid, I returned to the Coulter thrillers and realized I’d painted myself into a corner with the way Wolfman is Back ended. I was also thoroughly exhausted from writing the final scenes with Maggie, Annie, Lobo, Brad, and Jeter Wolfe.
How could Brad recover? I struggled with that for quite a while. Then I realized he couldn’t recover—he could never be the same. But that didn’t mean the stuff at his core wasn’t there—he’d have to work hard to find it and get his mojo back.
Before he could come back to work, he needed clearance from a psychologist. The counseling wasn’t going well, so Brad crossed the line, and forged a back to work letter. In the real world, Brad might be fired or criminally charged for that.
I try to keep the plots realistic and I strongly encourage writers at writing conferences to write realistic scenes (genre dependent, of course). This was the first time in the Coulter thrillers I deviated. I hope you weren’t distracted by Brad’s transgression.
Back at work, they pair Brad with Homicide detective Don Griffin and Brad says the ‘Q’ word (‘quiet’), an unforgiveable sin in emergency services. As usual for Brad, the quiet doesn’t last long.
The idea for 13 Days of Terror is based on the Beltway Sniper case in and around Washington, DC, in 2002. I had researched that incident for months when I discovered a retired FBI profiler was speaking on that topic at the YouthLink Interpretive Calgary Police Centre. I was too late to get a ticket. But my wonderful editor, Taija Morgan, attended and took awesome notes. When it was time for Taija to edit the novel, she understood the original event, and suggested changes to my novel.
13 Days of Terror introduces new characters like Jill Cook, a paramedic, because, well, I needed to replace one. Sorry.
One more point: The Title. While Brad and the city weren’t directly affected for the full 13 days, Pittman and Hirsch started planning their killing spree on Day 1 (and one may argue Hirsch was terrorized the full 13 Days by Pittman). And, 13 Days of Terror sounds better than 8 Days of Terror.
You won’t have to wait long for Brad Coulter #5. Goddess of Justice will be launched in March 2021.
13 Days of Terror is my second novel released this year. Perhaps there will be three or four novel releases next year!
Credits:
I have an exceptional team ...
Valerie West
Valerie has supported my writing right from when we met. She’s always my first Beta Reader and provides just the right amount of critique and encouragement. When I hide out in my writing cave, she understands that I am in the zone. Or she thinks I am! I might not make it out of my office for hours and sometimes I will write late into the night. I’d be so lost without her love and support.
Jonas Saul
Jonas and I have been friends for 2 ½ years. We met at the Creative Ink Festival in Burnaby, B.C. Jonas is an outstanding thriller writer and New York Times bestselling author of the Sarah Roberts series. Jonas is a prolific writer and by Christmas will have written nine novels and published seven this year. I am no where near the production of Jonas, but he is continually pushing me to work harder and meet daily goals. I’m not as consistent as his 5,000 words a day, but I have had a few 6,000++ word days and can easily write 2500 to 3,000 words in a day. As I write this in October 2020, I am writing my seventh novel, with eight and nine in the early stages as well. Thank you, Jonas, for mentorship and friendship.
Taija Morgan
Taija is a huge part of my writing success. Her edits are so well thought out, suggestions are bang on, and she takes the opportunity to teach me. The fact I don’t always catch on. is on me! My goal is to have her say “I didn’t see that coming.” Or “Nice twist.” And especially, “I laughed out loud.”
At times, well, often, I think she knows the story better than I do. She is excellent at noting times where I have forgotten a detail from a previous novel. Thank you, Taija, for your awesome edits, but also for teaching me to be a better writer.
Travis Miles, ProbookCovers
Travis created all my book covers. Before anyone gets to my writing, they have seen Travis’ work and are impressed. His designs are outstanding and stand out form other novels. He has created a vision for both the Coulter and Speargrass series.
Bill Sturgeon
My good friend Bill Sturgeon was a classmate of mine at the police academy. For reasons neither of us understand, we became friends. Sergeant Bill Sturgeon of the Identification Bureau made his first appearance in OutlawMC. He assists Brad in Wolfman is Back. And while he isn’t getting his own series, he play a key role in the next two Coulter novels.
Sheila Clayden—Mom
My mom is my biggest fan. My fondest memories were of her reading to me, then teaching me to read. I’ve had a book or seven in line for reading since I discovered the Hardy Boys. I don’t know if it was natural progression, but she had prepared me for writing by sharing her love of reading. She has a copy of the first draft of Crisis Point. She hopes someday it will be worth a lot of money.
Jennifer Cockton, Online for Writers
Jennifer keeps the web page up to date, manages all things social media, and reminds me when the newsletter is due.
Mickey Mikkelsen of Creative Edge Client Group handles my publicity.
Beta Readers
I have a great group of Beta readers that give me early feedback on the plot and characters. Each provide their unique perspective, which collectively gives me the direction I need.
Bill and Susan Sturgeon—Bill, a retired Calgary Police Sergeant, and Susan, retired RCMP, provide feedback on policing. Susan, as well, provides advice on Brad’s love life and with each novel threatens me if I do something she doesn’t like. (There were many threats after Wolfman is Back!) Of course, I make sure to add those to the novel. Susan is my second biggest fan and shouts out to everyone she knows (and some she doesn’t) that they should buy my novels.
Craig Ilott, as always, pointed out plot errors and out-of-character character responses to situations. I’d be lying if I said his comments didn’t make me cry. He’d tell me suck it up and make the changes.
Bob Modray, has been a Coulter fan right from Crisis Point. He offered to read an early version of 13 Days of Terror and offered outstanding suggestions.
Rod Fradette, good friend and golfing buddy, allowed me to use his name as a rescuer coming to the aid of a gunshot victim.
A Final Note to My Readers
This summer I attended several Farmer’s Markets and Fairs. It was such a thrill to have readers who bought novels from me last year, track me down to either pick up the latest in the Brad Coulter series, or Speargrass—Opioid.
At one fair, a lady was a hard sell. I spent a lot of time trying to convince her she’d like the novels. We made a deal. She would buy Crisis Point, on the condition that if she liked it she could come back and get the deal I was offering that day, for all three novels. I agreed and as she left, I said, “See you in two weeks.” She smirked.
Two weeks later as the market opened, there she was, back for OutlawMC and Wolfman is Back.
A guy was flying past my booth, on a mission of some kind, then came to a screeching halt. He said, “I bought two books from you last year. Do you have new ones?”
I said, “I have two new ones.”
He said, “I’ll take them.” Then rushed off.
Experiences like that are so thrilling. I am overwhelmed and touched that you like my novels and how enthusiastic you are in your emails. I even like the pressure you put on me to get the next novel out. At times, I’m obsessed with writing.
On days when the words aren’t cooperating, an email from you remind
s me why I’m doing this, and I forge on.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are awesome!
About the Author
Dwayne Clayden combines his knowledge and experience as a police officer and paramedic to write realistic crime thrillers.
His first novel, Crisis Point, was a finalist for the 2015 Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis awards.
The Brad Coulter Thriller Series includes Crisis Point, OutlawMC , Wolfman is Back, and 13 Days of Terror.
In 2021,The Brad Coulter Thriller Series continues with Goddess of Justice and Bonded Labor.
Dwayne released the first novel in a new Modern Western Thriller Series, Speargrass-Opioid. If you like Longmire, you’ll love Speargrass-Opioid.
Dwayne’s short story, Hell Hath No Fury, was published in AB Negative, an anthology of short stories from Alberta Crime Writers.
His vast experience working with emergency services spans over 40 years and includes work as a police officer, paramedic, tactical paramedic, firefighter, emergency medical services (EMS) chief, educator, and academic chair.
Dwayne is a popular speaker at writing conferences and for writing groups, providing police and medical procedures advice and editing to authors and screenwriters. The co-author of four paramedic textbooks, he has spoken internationally at EMS conferences for the past three decades.
DwayneClayden.com
dwayneclayden@gmail.com