322: Heroes, Villains, and Writing a Story That Matters — Interview with Ace Atkins

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hey there word nerds!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Ace Atkins.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ace Atkins is the author of twenty-six books, including ten Quinn Colson novels and eight New York Times–bestselling novels in the continuation of Robert B. Parker’s iconic Spenser series.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">HBO has optioned the Quinn Colson novels with a series currently in high development and Atkins’ second novel for Robert B. Parker estate,</span> <em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Wonderland</span></em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">, was just made into a film with Mark Wahlberg and Winston Duke.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A former newspaper reporter and SEC football player, Ace Atkins also writes essays and investigative pieces for several publications, including</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Garden & Gun</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, the</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wall Street Journal</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">and</span> <em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Outside</span></em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">. Today we’ll be talking about his latest Quinn Colson novel:</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Revelators</span></em></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this episode Ace and I discuss:</span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">How his books stand for social justice but are not necessarily political in nature.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why writers should be willing to voice their opinions and take a stand.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">What makes a character a hero or a villain.</span></li> </ul> <h4><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plus, his #1 tip for writers.</span></em></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For more info and show notes: