In this astounding eighty-first episode of The Gap Minders, we chatted with the intelligent author Matthew “Matt” Quirk!
Listen to “Episode 81 | Matthew "Matt" Quirk, Author” on Spreaker.In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by author Matt Quirk. Some recent highlights in Matt’s career include “The Night Agent,” which was adapted into a Netflix TV show, and “Inside Threat,” a thriller set in the White House during a crisis.
Hear Matthew discuss the intensity of writing and how it compares to a “real job.” Matthew expresses his passion for writing, despite the challenges it presents, and how it started with his background in reading and journalism. He highlights the influence of his parents, especially his mother, who was an English teacher.
Listen in as Matthew shares his research process for writing new books, and he emphasizes the fun but challenging aspect of balancing research and actual writing. He talks about the sources of inspiration for his books, which often come from real-life experiences in Washington, D.C. and San Diego, where he met people who inspired his characters and stories.
Matthew discusses the challenge of avoiding partisan politics in his books, ensuring they have a broader appeal and address universal themes instead. He also talks about his outlining process and the creative challenges he faces during the writing journey. They discuss his experiences at the San Diego Festival of Books and how he views his audience, which includes both men and women, despite the genre’s expectations.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Matt Quirk. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- Matthew Quirk’s writing journey, from his background in journalism to the inspiration behind his political thrillers.
- The balance between research and storytelling in his books, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining a captivating narrative.
- The unpredictability of a writing career and the excitement of navigating its highs and lows.
- An anecdote about a childhood letter to author Michael Crichton, highlighting Matthew’s early passion for storytelling.
- The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Matt, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
