Let me back up a little and tell you why I prefer writing to real life: You can rewrite. A novel, for example, can be cleaned up, altered, trimmed, improved. Life, on the other hand, is one big messy rough draft. Harlan Coben alterbackbig share on social
Writing is one of the few activities where quantity will inevitably make quality. The more you write, the better you're going to get at it. Harlan Coben activityinevitablymake Change image and 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
I would never write a memoir, because it would be too boring. Harlan Coben borememoirwrite Change image and share on social
I love to make even villains people you can relate to. When you find out who did it, I think you almost like the person, which is not easy to do. Harlan Coben easyfindlove 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
This is the price you pay for having a great father. You get the wonder, the joy, the tender moments - and you get the tears at the end, too. Harlan Coben endfathergreat Change image and share on social
I once worked as a tour guide in the Costa del Sol of Spain. Harlan Coben costadelguide Change image and share on social
That's what a good crime novelist - any good novelist - should do with you: play with your perceptions while showing you everything in plain sight. Harlan Coben crimegoodnovelist Change image and share on social
When I was seventeen, I worked as a counsellor at a co-ed sleep-away camp for eight weeks. I loved it but it could be harrowing - it was far too much responsibility for someone my age. Harlan Coben agecampcounsellor Change image and share on social