I've loved thrillers and spy stories since I was a kid. It's probably not a bad rule of thumb to write the kinds of stories you love to read. Barry Eisler badhavekid Change image and share on social
I can understand the allure of a venerable Big Six imprint, of a shot at the New York Times list, of a publisher-sponsored book tour, of seeing your hardbacks in bookstores and your paperbacks in supermarkets. Barry Eisler allurebigbook share on social
Overall, one of the things that excites me most about self-publishing is that the highest-value use of my time in promoting the books will be found in writing more of them. Barry Eisler bookexcitefind Change image and share on social
The National Surveillance State doesn't want anyone to be able to communicate without the authorities being able to monitor that communication. Barry Eisler authoritycommunicatecommunication Change image and share on social
The strangest thing about the low quality of Internet argument is that effective argument isn't really so difficult. Sure, not everyone can be Clarence Darrow, but anyone who wants to be at least competent at argument can do it. Barry Eisler argumentclarencecompetent share on social
The fundamental difficulty that most novelists face when they are trying to adapt their own book into a screenplay is realizing that a screenplay is a completely different way of storytelling, and it has limitations. Barry Eisler adaptbookcompletely share on social
I'm not sure why I'm so drawn to heroes who do bad things and to villains who think they're the good guys, but I do find that moral ambiguity and conflict makes for great characters. Barry Eisler ambiguitybadcharacter Change image and share on social
Stephen King has inspired me with his humor and honesty, and his admonition that the author's job is to tell the truth. Barry Eisler admonitionauthorhonesty Change image and share on social
Action fiction is driven more by what than by who. Put that ticking nuclear suitcase under Manhattan, and it's relatively easy to create suspense. Literary fiction is driven more by who than by what. Barry Eisler actioncreatedrive Change image and share on social
Publishing, legacy or indie, is a vehicle, and you can't opine about whether someone has chosen the right vehicle if you don't know where she intends to drive it. Barry Eisler choosedriveindie Change image and share on social
