By Karna Bodman
On book tours, a question that I, and many other authors, get is, “Where do you find your ideas?” My answer when it comes to my new – 6th – thriller, Protecting Jess, which will be released on March 11, is it was inspired by two completely different situations. When I served in the (Reagan) White House and the President went to his ranch in California during the month of August, that was the one time some of the staff could take a vacation since things usually quieted down a bit. One summer the State Department asked if I would go overseas to give some speeches to business and student groups about Reagan’s policies, and I was pleased when they sent me to Manila, Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo.
The following summer, they said, “Well, that Far East trip went pretty well, where would you like to go next summer?” I was happy to take another trip and told them I had never been to South America. They sent me to Argentina and Brazil. I spent most of the time in Brazil – the capital, Brasilia, Rio, Sao Paulo, Salvador, and Recife, so I decided to use those exotic settings in this new thriller.
Then, on a lighter note, we had a good friend, Bill Black, who served as the Assistant Chief of Protocol for President George H. W. Bush. Bill used to regale us with stories of demands made by visiting foreign delegations. Some demanded “pretty female companions” – a demand we never fulfilled. Others demanded twenty rooms for their staffs, but the US offers every delegation five rooms in Blair House across from the White House. Bill had to inform them that he would be happy to make reservations at nearby hotels, but their governments would have to pay for them. Among other ridiculous issues Bill had to deal with were the unpaid parking tickets in DC and New York near the UN. The worst offender was (and still is) the Russians!
Putting it all together, I created a hero and named him Bill Black. In my story Bill is an undercover CIA agent whose “cover” is being the Assistant Chief of Protocol. His handler tells Bill his new assignment is to travel to Brazil and work with our Station Chief and the Brazilian President’s security team because there have been a number of threats on his life, especially when he will give a speech at the upcoming OAS Conference (Organization of American States). This meeting will give Bill a “reason” to be there – to ostensibly deal with protocol issues at that meeting. Bill had been to Brazil the previous year dealing with drug dealers, and he speaks the language.
Then his handler gets word that a high level woman, Jessica Tanner, head of the White House Office of Homeland Security will also be traveling to that conference to give a talk, and with all the street crime in Brazil, Bill is tasked with keeping an eye on her as well. He says, “Wait a minute. I’m supposed to help protect a head of state, deal with silly protocol issues, and also protect some woman named Jess?” The answer is, “You got it.” So, as they say, “That’s my story.” Now, I certainly hope you like it.
If you’re a writer, what was the inspiration for your latest novel? And if you’re a reader, what inspired you to pick up one of the Rogue Writer’s books if you did?
Karna Small Bodman is the author of five international thrillers that have hit #1 in Thrillers on Amazon and won several awards, as well as a series of children’s picture books. Her books were inspired by the six years she served in the Reagan White House, first as Deputy Press Secretary, later as Senior Director of the National Security Council where she was the highest-ranking woman on the White House staff. On book tours she has given over 400 speeches and interviews nation-wide. When not writing or traveling, she is serving on several boards and swimming laps at their homes in Naples, FL, and Washington, DC.
What an intriguing premise and origin!!! Can’t wait to read PROTECTING JESS.
I’ve heard someone–I think it was Steven King–say “People always ask writers where they get their ideas, and we hate it, because we don’t know.”
Karma, that’s an amazing background story and absolutely whets my appetite for Saving Jess. Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks for your comment, J.C. (and I just got your note saying you miss spelled my name – no problem.) Also, I always look forward to your great novels too.