I’ll be at Lit Fest Altadena with Gary Phillips, Diana. Wagman, Naomi Hirahara and David Ulin, talking villains.

“A novel needs conflict. A protagonist needs an antagonist. As novelists—whether we write mystery, crime, or cozy literary fiction—we need to create unpleasant, possibly even abhorrent characters. At the same time, like writing any good, multi-faceted and believable character, we need to dig deep into their psyche, the why of who they are. We need to understand them, possibly even cheer them on. How do we go there? Do we need to explore our own darkness to write an unlikable, even offensive character?”

Altadena emerging from the ashes! Join us!