J. H. Bográn, born and raised in Honduras, is the son of a journalist. He ironically prefers to write fiction rather than fact. José’s genre of choice is thrillers, but he likes to throw in a twist of romance into the mix. His works include novels and short stories in both English and Spanish. He’s a member of the International Thriller Writers where he also serves as the Thriller Roundtable Coordinator.
SN: The Assassin's
Mistress cleverly leaves out
bits here and there that the reader is easily able to fill in on her own. How
do you decide what to cut for a short story? Or did you even write those bits
to begin with?
JHB: It’s a balancing act.
Some of the missing bits were never put to paper, but I knew them in my mind
and heart. I made a choice to trust the reader to understand and feel for my
characters with the slices I was providing. On the other hand, the fun part of
a surprise ending is planting bits and clues that, on a second pass, the reader
is surprised to have missed the first time.
SN: Your mother is a
journalist. Did you ever have the desire to follow in her footsteps?
JHB: I did follow her
footsteps, for a while. For ten years, I helped her run a tourism magazine in
Honduras, my home country. From her I learned some of the basics: working
against a deadline and, most importantly, the ethics of the trade. A journalist
must always tell the truth. I like to write lies—okay, I call them fiction—so I
understood I had to walk a different path from her.
SN: What writers have
influenced you the most?
JHB: The three accomplished
masters that made me think I could write are: Ken Follett, Clive Cussler and
Tom Clancy. Recently, I had the opportunity to participate with other thriller
writers and discuss our reasons for writing thrillers: our answers were so
varied and consistent at the same time. Here is the link to the ITW
Thriller Roundtable.
Many of the things there are invaluable: pics of my wife and kids for inspiration; a Darth Vader mug; a wood cross, a paper vase and a lamp made by kids in school; my desk is not a desk but a drawing board inherited from my father in law; dictionaries, papers and a New Orleans map for my current WIP.
SN: What are you working on now?
JHB: I have two very
special projects: one is a thriller novel Highland Creek that was just signed
with Rebel E-Publishers, so I’m running a final draft before the heavy editing
begins. My next book is a mystery about a serial killer prowling around New
Orleans.
SN: What question should I
have asked that I didn't?
JHB: Interesting question.
Perhaps asking about why I decided to release The Assassin’s Mistress as a kindle
title. I figured that, being a short story, it had a better chance of finding
an audience if I took advantage of this new service to author. It’s a bit of an
experiment, but one I’m pleased so far. During the last week of April, the
story peaked at #3 in the Action and Adventure genre.
A random encounter leads to deception, love and murder. While
vacationing at a ski resort, professional hitman Robert Prescott meets a
strange and beautiful woman.
They discover passion and embark into a dangerous game hiding their
relationship from her powerful husband. Then a further twist of fate makes
Robert’s occupation collide with his new found love.
Links:
Buy link:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007BOC0OW
Website: www.jhbogran.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jhbogran
Twitter: @JHBogran
Thanks, José, for stopping by Suspense Novelist. I really enjoyed The Assassin's Mistress. I wish you continued success.
It's all better with friends.
Thanks, José, for stopping by Suspense Novelist. I really enjoyed The Assassin's Mistress. I wish you continued success.
It's all better with friends.
