NK Chats To…Michael Wendroff

Hello Michael. Thank you for joining me today and for inviting Novel Kicks onto your blog tour. Can you tell us about What Goes Around and what inspired it?

What Goes Around is my debut thriller. It is about mysterious shootings in a small town, and two detectives, one male and one female, are assigned to the case. They hate each other, and have to find the killer before they kill each other. On the pursuit they encounter secret groups-Incels, Boogaloo Boys, supremacists. Torn in the middle is a naive boy. The ending twist is out of this world.

I was inspired by what my mother said to me the second I was born. Or so I’m told. I was put on her chest, she looked me deeply in the eyes, and said, “Oh! How nice to see you, again!” It was that “again” that always intrigued me, and I always wanted to write something about it, but life and working in business got in the way.

It was actually the Covid pandemic that got me to write my novel–there was that period when you couldn’t do anything, couldn’t go to movies, restaurants, couldn’t even go to the beach! So, I had no more excuses. Had to write it, and thankfully, got very lucky, and What Goes Around was born.

I was also “inspired” by events I didn’t understand–like the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia a few years ago. I needed to research that, to understand what was behind some of the crazy thinking, so that’s how I got into the secret world of Incels and Supremacists. Scary stuff!

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals and a favourite place to write?
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I usually write in the mornings, when I’m freshest. Water really inspires me, and I’m very fortunate that I have two places near water. In the winter months I’m in Florida, so I can sit at a beach and think up plots and scenes, and I also get to sit on my lanai and look out on a pond behind my house. Though I do sometimes get distracted by the alligators running around.

Michael’s Writing Space – Lake Garda.

In the summer months when Florida just gets too hot and humid, I head to Italy. I love Northern Italy, and get to write from a terrace overlooking Lake Garda (when I’m not eating the amazing Italian food).

I love writing, and my process is plot, research, write, and edit.

My daily ritual is to sit at my pc to get the words out, just get the story going. I don’t worry about things like grammar or even the specific words used, I just want to get the writing flowing. The next morning I will reread what I’d written, and try to make it real writing. Make sure every word is the right word and fits with the others in the sentence, make sure each sentence fits with the others in the paragraph. Add the analogies and metaphors. After that’s done, I’ll start scribbling out the next part of the story on my pc, which will be rewritten the next day. That process of write then rewrite continues everyday, until I can write my favorite two words: The End

But before I actually start the writing itself, comes the plotting. There are actually two types of writers-plotters and pantsers. Pantsers simply sit in front of their computers and write by the seat of their pants. They have no idea where the story is going. That’s not me. I have to know everything upfront, so after ideating I write a detailed plot outline. I need to know not only what the ending will be, but where I’ll plant the red herrings, and where I’ll put the twists and turns.

And it’s not like things won’t change. Once I became really attached to one of my characters, and the plot called for the character to die, but I couldn’t do it. I had to change the plot. Another time I did kill off a character I loved, but my wife yelled at me because I was walking around for a week in depression. She said “They’re not real!!” But to an author, they are real!

If you were putting together a playlist for What Goes Around, which songs would you pick?

Great question!

OK, to set the suspenseful and ominous atmosphere, “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins, as well as “Bad Moon Rising” by Credence Clearwater Revival.

For the rising tension and investigation, “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell, and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” by Green Day.

For some of the dark turns, let’s go with the Rolling Stones, “Paint it Black” and “Sympathy for the Devil.”

For the romantic element, “Unchained Melody,” by The Righteous Brothers.

Finally, for the climax, “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin, and “Lose Yourself” by Eminem.

Oh, and somewhere I need something from the score of the movie The Sixth Sense. That’s because I absolutely love the amazing twist at the end. My concluding twist was to a degree patterned after that.

What are the challenges with writing a thriller/crime novel?

I think the biggest challenge is planting red herrings. You want to be sure you are fair to the reader, and seeding plausible clues and misdirects. Readers like being surprised, but your twists and turns have to be logical in the end, and can’t come out of the blue.

There’s also a debate on whether it’s good if the reader is stumped or not. I personally like being able to figure things out, but at the same time you’ll hear readers complain about some books that it was too easy to figure out whodunit.

I did end up taking the route in What Goes Around of having such a major twist in the end that I don’t think anyone can predict it. Go ahead, readers, prove me wrong!

What was your route to publication?

It’s so tough to get published! Great novels every day never see the light of day.
I knew Robert Ludlum, a bestseller back in the day. You may know his books from the Bourne movies with Matt Damon. Well, his first novel was rejected by 14 publishers. The 15th decided to take a shot, and his book became a bestseller.

To get published, you need to craft a good “query letter” and get it out to literary agents that represent books in your genre (a tip: take a look at novels in your genre in a bookstore, and flip to the acknowledgements page. There you will most likely see the name of the author’s agent). A publisher will not look at an unagented manuscript, so plan on sending query letters to many agents. The first one will not accept you. Perhaps the 50th will. But you can get lucky with the 100th agent contacted. It’s a tough process, but I think it’s tougher to get an agent than it is for your agent to find a publisher for your work.

Agents know just the right publishers, and within the publisher, the right editor for your work. So I was lucky that my agent sent it to a publisher he thought was right for it, and I got a deal. I was very lucky.

Then I learned that the work was just beginning. On the route to publication there are many editorial steps! I was surprised at how many different editorial rounds (actually, I just subconsciously typed “wounds” instead of “rounds,” which is probably more accurate!) there are in traditional editing.

And I should have known better. Back in the day, my mother was actually an editor at NYC publishing firms. I distinctly remember her sitting cross-legged on her bed on weekends, manuscript pages strewn about, red pen in hand, marking up many changes. So I should’ve been prepared for my editorial feedback!

I learned the first editor you deal with, the one who bought your book, is what I would call a strategic editor. They deal with structural or conceptual issues in your story. Then there’s the line editor, who does indeed check every line in your book to make sure it’s as good as can be. Then there’s the copy editor who checks facts and makes sure, for example, you didn’t say she has green eyes in chapter 2 and blue eyes in chapter 14. Then there’s a proofreader who double checks everything. I thought I was finally done, as I had to read my entire novel on each of those rounds. But then my publisher told me the typeface for the hardcover was set, and I need to read it again to make sure nothing dropped out!
I can’t tell you how many times I read my book.
Good thing I like it!

What’s your favourite word?

Clearly, The End! (whoops, that’s two). Also, “Loved it!” (damn, two again). OK, word.

What are you currently working on?

I’m actually working on a prequel to What Goes Around. It features the two main characters from it, but here they are cops on the beat. They get involved with a serial kidnapper, and all hell breaks loose. The working title is “You Reap What…” Of course, same style of writing-short chapters, cliffhangars, and twists.

Which scenes did you find the hardest to write?

The hardest scenes for me to write dealt with white supremacists. I had to do a lot of research, and I had to convey things in a genuine way. I had to make the scenes seem realistic, and put words down that they have said. While it sickened me, I had to make sure the scenes came off as authentic.

Which fictional character would you like to meet and why?

Certainly, Hannibal Lecter. Love to share a bottle of nice Chianti, and see what makes him tick.

Any other advice for aspiring writers?

-Believe in yourself and never give up.

-Write every day, even if it’s only 10 minutes.

-Learn your craft–there are so many opportunities! Online courses (I took courses on BBC Maestro from Lee Child and Harlan Coben). Conventions-Thrillerfest in NYC puts on great craft seminars. Of course,there are writing groups too. Read in your genre (check out What Goes Around!) and never stop learning.

Would you rather :

Have the ability to see into the future or be able to visit the past?

Definitely visit the past and correct all my mistakes, as well as start writing earlier. We do learn a lot of lessons in life, and it’s good to be able to make yourself a better person (one of the themes in my book).

Have the ability to move things with your mind or read minds?

Clearly, read minds. That would save so much time, prevent so many errors. You would have to face up to some uncomfortable truths, but at least you’d always know the truth! (I know you’re thinking I chose the wrong answer).

Sing or dance to your favourite song for the rest of your life?

You don’t want to hear me sing, or see me dance. But given the choice, it would be singing. I do enjoy all sorts of music, and I’d pick a bright and optimistic song to keep me going.

Have money or power?
Money. Please buy my book!

Have an endless summer or winter?

OMG, summer for sure! I recently went to Scandinavia and I don’t understand how they can stand those cold dark winters. I’m definitely into sunny days. In fact, on the bottom of my license plate in Florida it actually says “Endless Summer.” I’m a fair- weather sailor, and everything in life seems sunnier in the summer.

Drink tea or coffee?

Coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

See the movie or read the book first?

Definitely read the book first. That way I get the full picture (no pun intended), and can build the movie in my own mind. Then when the film comes out it’s interesting to compare and contrast it to what I imagined, as well as see the choices made on what gets cut out and what stays.

Read a Paperback or eBook?

That depends. If I’m home, I’ll often prefer a hardcover or paperback-there’s something about holding the physical book, turning the pages, seeing the cover, that just feels right. However, while travelling, especially for vacation, it’s much easier to go with eBooks.Thankfully, What Goes Around is available in both formats, as well as in audiobook.

Would you rather have magical powers here on earth or live in a magical place without powers.

Sounds like a question for the Wizard of Oz!

About Michael Wendroff – 

Michael Wendroff is the author of What Goes Around, a debut thriller published by Bloomsbury, which bestselling author Eric Rickstad calls a “brilliant debut,” and bestselling author Lisa Black says, “starts off at a breakneck pace and doesn’t let up until it reaches its unexpected conclusion.” Plus, #1 bestselling author J.D. Black says, “Relentless and gritty, Wendroff expertly weaves a narrative that begs, ‘just one more page…’”

The book was inspired by what his mother said to him the second he was born: “Oh! How nice to see you–Again!”

Michael has an MBA in marketing from NYU, and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. He is a global marketing consultant. He shares his time between New York City, Sarasota, Florida, and Lake Garda, Italy. He is married and has three wonderful children.

His mother was an editor (watching his mother scribbling in red ink on manuscript pages at home on weekends prepared him for his own editor’s comments!). She remarried a literary agent, so Michael was friendly with many authors, and even spent a vacation with Robert Ludlum. Watching Ludlum hand-write his 450 page novels on yellow legal pads didn’t dissuade Michael from trying to write a novel (though he’s thankful for his PC).

What Goes Around was launched in the USA, UK, and Australia, and foreign language rights have been sold in Italian, Japanese, and Hungarian. The hardcover went through 3 printings, and now the trade paperback is available (along with audio book and e-book).

Fun fact: Michael’s great-grandfather was brought over by Thomas Edison from the University of Copenhagen to work with him. He holds a number of patents, including for plastic buttons. Michael proudly wears button- down shirts whenever he can.

Say hello to Michael via his website, Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. 

About What Goes Around – 

Chilling murders terrorise a town in the USA, and bring together two detectives to face the hardest tasks of their lives.  Jack, a brawny enforcer, and Jill, a brainy beauty, can’t stand each other, but must find the killer before they kill each other.

Their journey takes them into the secret world of Incels, Boogaloo Boys, and supremacists. The novel is full of twists, and the shocking finale challenges the boundaries of life and death.

Click to buy on Amazon, Waterstones and Barnes & Noble. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.