Harlan Coben's 'Plot Twist': From Childhood to Bestsellers

Harlan Coben, known for his prolific crime thrillers and numerous television adaptations, has released a memoir titled "Plot Twist: Life, Craft, and the Messy First Draft." This Sept. 8 release from Grand Central diverges from his usual high-stakes narratives, instead delving into nostalgia and offering practical writing advice. Coben, who previously believed his fiction was entirely separate from his life, discovered that many elements in his books stem directly from his childhood and personal experiences. He shared that his parents' deaths significantly shaped him and influenced his writing, reflecting a teacher of tragedy. His upbringing in a suburban New Jersey town, despite its Rockwellian facade, contained undercurrents of danger, including family ties to organized crime. Coben suggests that his tendency to create stories was a way of processing these complexities, with most of his books set in his native New Jersey. Discussing writing advice, Coben challenges the conventional separation of character, plot, and setting, advocating for a holistic approach. He emphasizes that writing is a rigorous process, often filled with self-doubt, and encourages persistence by simply getting words on the page. The memoir has already received a deeply positive response from his children, who were moved by the insights into his life. Coben hopes "Plot Twist" will inspire others to create and incorporate more art into their lives, serving as a motivational guide.