This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Paul G. Wright will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
To the average person, writing a book might seem straightforward. The author gets an idea, jots down some notes, locks themselves in a room for a few weeks, and emerges with a manuscript. Then they call in an Editor—basically a “Superwriter”—who marks it up with a red pen, and after a few corrections, the book is ready to send to a publisher.
Simple, right?
Well… not exactly.
The media loves the romanticized image of the inspired author burning the midnight oil and mailing their dream story to a publisher who immediately turns it into a bestseller. It’s a great fairy tale, but the reality of writing is a bit more complex. It’s not magic—it’s work.
Take my latest book, Line of Sight, for example. It started with a cool idea. A spy trying to retrieve an invisibility formula from a master criminal. But the idea was just the beginning. To build a believable world, I needed research. Lots of research. I don’t work for the CIA, so I called friends with relevant experience. A police officer, and a Marine Corps veteran for starters. Their expertise helped me understand law enforcement, military protocols, and the nuances that make a spy story credible.
Next, I tackled the invisibility formula. What would it be? How would it work? I consulted a science-fiction-loving colleague, along with a family friend who’s a scientist and inventor. Through these conversations, I crafted a plausible mechanism for the formula and a world where it could exist.
Then came the characters. The heart of any story. Writers like to talk about “character creation,” but here’s the truth: we draw inspiration from real life. Characters aren’t carbon copies of people we know, but they are influenced by personalities, quirks, and moments we’ve observed. Just as a musician draws inspiration from existing melodies, writers shape their fictional characters from the experiences they’ve had with real people.
But how do you actually write the thing? The answer is, little by little. Writing a book is like tackling a big work project. You research, assemble a team (your characters), and set a schedule. Most writers outline their story, break it into manageable pieces, and commit to showing up every day.
Some days, the words flow effortlessly. Other days, you want to delete everything and escape to a bar. But, just like any big project, you keep going. You pour a fresh cup of coffee, sit down, and keep typing until the manuscript is done.
Yes, there’s imagination involved, and moments where the words seem to come from nowhere. But at its core, writing a book is a project. You take an idea, flesh it out with help from others, populate it with characters inspired by real life, and then you write. Day by day, page by page, until you’ve climbed to the top of the mountain.
And submitting the manuscript? Well, that’s another blog!
It is 1995, and intelligence operative Lora Chandler, a.k.a. Agent Vogel, is tasked with investigating the claim that Professor Simon Blackmarr has cracked the invisibility problem. A mission that leads her back to the half-forgotten beach town of Lancaster, Florida. Home to estranged love interest, and newspaper reporter Richard Davis. Her feelings for him have never really died, and matters become even more complicated when Vogel learns that Blackmarr’s breakthrough is legitimate. A scientific discovery that —in the wrong hands — could alter the balance of global power. The stakes become even higher when the professor is abducted from the university, forcing Vogel back into the shadowy realm of espionage to find out who and why. It will take all the skill and cunning Lora Chandler possesses to stop a threat that could have devastating consequences for her personal life — and the world at large.
Enjoy an Excerpt
The file lay in easy reach, on the conference table. The letters LMAR printed across the front. In another moment she would have it. She reached out.
“I think not.”
Mason. He was like a cat, with more lives.
“You think wrong,” said Vogel.
Mason’s hand slammed down on the folder, inches from hers. Their eyes met—his with that same arrogant smirk she’d seen a hundred times before, his dark hair perfectly in place. As always, he was impeccably dressed, his wine-red tie in a flawless knot. Vogel couldn’t deny it—under different circumstances, she might . . . But no, he was an international criminal and a murderer. And he kissed like a college freshman. The lines were drawn.
Mason looked at her through steely eyes. “Vogel,” he said coolly, “why do we always seem to have this same discussion?”
Vogel smirked. “Because, Mason, you’re terrible at losing.”
Mason nodded. “A character flaw, I’m afraid, that is permanent.”
She snatched the file away as Mason lunged for her. Instinctively, her hand went for her gun, and she pointed the sleek black barrel directly at his head. He froze, a smile playing across his face.
“Now let’s be practical,” Mason said. “There’s no way out.”
“You always say that.”
A door opened and men in dark fatigues entered, holding assault rifles. Mason’s henchmen. She should have known. They stood on either side of him, with their weapons trained on her like spiders. Vogel counted six in all.
Mason eyed her. “Really, Vogel. I mean, what are your options? Why don’t you just hand that over and we can all sit down?”
A bead of sweat ran down her back. Her shoes were tight, and she hadn’t showered since Wednesday. She felt gross. This was taking longer than expected. They were on the thirtieth floor, standing in front of a series of plate glass windows. Mason was right. There was no way out.
It was then she heard the roar of the helicopter.
About the Author: Paul G. Wright is a native of Atlanta, GA. He has worked as a newspaper journalist, freelance writer, and screenwriter. He studied acting at the Warehouse Actors Theater and earned his degree in filmmaking from Columbia College Hollywood, in Tarzana, CA. He currently resides in the Atlanta area with his wife and their cat Dusty.
Buy the book at Amazon.
Thank you for featuring LINE OF SIGHT today.
Thanks so much for having me here today!
Are there any characters in the book that you relate to on a personal level?
That is a great question, Tracie! I would have to say that I relate personally to Vogel. While I am not an intelligence agent, facing danger at every turn, we both share the same doubts and insecurities about ourselves, our relationships, and our futures. This is one of the things I like about her as a character. She may have an exciting job, but she is still human. She still has feelings, she still worries about things, still falls in love, and occasionally, still makes mistakes. : )
This sounds like a good read. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for being here today! Enjoy the read!
Intriguing cover
Thanks very much, I think my publisher did a wonderful job as well!
This looks like a spectacular read. Thanks for hosting
Thanks so much, Michael. I hope you enjoy Vogel’s exciting adventure! Please feel free to leave a great review as well! : )