7 writing insights from master storyteller Tom Clancy
The suspense and espionage writer, many of whose books were made into major motion pictures, died Wednesday. Here’s what he had to offer about the craft of writing.
Many in the literary world were rendered speechless today when news broke of the death of acclaimed spy and military writer Tom Clancy at age 66.
The author, whose works include “The Hunt for Red October,” “Clear and Present Danger,” and “Patriot Games,” is being remembered as a “favorite storyteller of the American military.”
CNN praised Clancy “for writing meticulous thrillers focusing on political intrigue and military tactics and technology.”
Through Clancy’s brilliant storytelling, the world got to know CIA agent Jack Ryan, the main character in most of the best-selling novels.
No other American novelist could take 20 pages to describe the intricacies of a wire within an explosive device.
The following quotes from Clancy shed light on his prolific career—and offer insights for writers of all sorts:
“Writing is hard, miserable, lonely work…You have to play to win.”
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