Steve:  I have reviewed both of John Betcher’s novels, The Missing Element and The 19^th Element, for Book Pleasures (see my blog category “Book Reviews”).  John is a lawyer/writer living in Red Wing, Minnesota (great name for a town).  I thought that the readers of this blog would enjoy hearing opinions from him about his novels and writing in general.  He offers a different perspective and background than yours truly.  You’ll find his answers interesting.

(Note:  This is the first interview to appear in this blog.  I’ll probably limit these to authors, agents, editors and publishers, but not necessarily.  Hey, it’s my blog!)

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Steve:  Your book The 19^th Element is a thriller; The Missing Element is a mystery.  Which genre is easiest to write in?  Are there any special quirks of either genre?

John:  I don’t consider one genre or the other easier to write in.  They are significantly different, though.  In a typical mystery, you’re not sure who the bad guys (or maybe even the good guys) are until the climax.  In a typical thriller, the reader follows the bad guys and the good guys on separate courses toward the same destination – an intended calamity.  I like writing both.

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