Writing isn't about the process. It is about creating. The joy comes not from the process but from the creation. Harlan Coben createcreationjoy Change image and share on social
The state of New Jersey is really two places - terrible cities and wonderful suburbs. I live in the suburbs, the final battleground of the American dream, where people get married and have kids and try to scratch out a happy life for themselves. It's very romantic in that way, but a bit naive. I like to play with that in my work. Harlan Coben americanbattlegroundbite share on social
I don't necessarily love the sports per se, I love the stories behind them. Also in a kind of perverse way I like to study what it does to us, why we care so much. It's caring about something that's utterly meaningless. Harlan Coben carekindlove share on social
No characters in 'Stay Close,' including the leads, are black and white. I want them to be grey. I think that makes for a much more interesting reading experience, something that will stay with you a little bit longer. Harlan Coben biteblackcharacter share on social
A novel is like a sausage. You might like the final taste but you don't want to see how it was made. Harlan Coben finalmakesausage Change image and share on social
Outlining is not writing. Coming up with ideas is not writing. Researching is not writing. Creating characters is not writing. Only writing is writing. Harlan Coben charactercomecreate Change image and share on social
Life may not always fall into neat chapters, and you may not always get the satisfying ending you're looking for, but sometimes a good explanation is all the rewrite you need. Harlan Coben chapterendexplanation Change image and share on social
The actual writing time is a lot shorter than the thinking time. I don't do too many notes. I keep it mostly in my head. I usually start writing a new book around January, and it's due October 1. Harlan Coben actualbookdue Change image and share on social
I like to see the difference between good and evil as kind of like the foul line at a baseball game. It's very thin, it's made of something very flimsy like lime, and if you cross it, it really starts to blur where fair becomes foul and foul becomes fair. Harlan Coben baseballblurcross share on social
I am very lucky that I get to tell stories for a living. I love being able to grab people's attention, to keep them turning the pages, to make them stay awake all night. I want to stir the pulse, yes, but also to stir the heart. I hope 'The Woods' does that. Harlan Coben attentionawakegrab share on social