Just thought I would drop in and say hi :o)

I see you were talking about Silence of the Lambs! That is I have to say one of my all time favorite movie!!! I have every movie in the series on DVD. Is it wrong that I feel a little bit in love with Dr. Lector? I cried at the end of Hannibal because I was really touched by how much he loved Clarice and cut off his own hand instead. Yeah my family thinks I’m nuts too LOL.

Andrea I haven’t read any of your books yet but they sound really good and I’ll have to look into them.

Another author that writes really good stories about Quantico is Alex Kava. Her books in her Maggie O’Dell series are awesome. Not romance but the killers she creates are amazing and there is some major sexual tension between some of her characters.

Hope everyone had a great Easter Weekend!

"Portia, does that mean that if you watch enough WWII documentaries, himself will have a go at the Hotel Chocolat with you?"

LOL! I think the negotiation skills would be needed to encourage him *not* to go at the HC and leave a bit more for me!

I think generally the give and take thing leads to him spending more time listening attentively and making useful suggestions when I burble on about writing and the craziness of the publishing industry... oh, and also him sitting through episodes of L&O Criminal Intent and Numb3rs. :)

P.S. When we're all blogging at the same time, our entries sometimes overlap. So I missed the last few comments. Thank you, ricasella, for your kind words about TWISTED-- I'm so glad you felt you knew the characters up-close-and-personal, and that the plot kept you riveted right up to the last page! And, Rhianna, I, too, would love to hear more about your SANE training. So e-mail and tell me all about it; it sounds truly fascinating.

It was very interesting. We learned a lot about rapists and madmen, escalating violence was a big part of her lecture. Then we attended a mock trial the next day with a prosecutor doing cross exam, made me sweat. Overall it was a great experience.

But I would love to go to quantico. That sounds like a once in a lifetime experience for a writer of suspense. I envy that experience.

Rhianna

Like I said, I work 24/7! So here I am again, dropping in for my nighttime visit, after which I get a half hour for dinner, then back to work.

I agree that ultimate trust is the basis for any bond that matters-- whether it's a long-term emotional commitment or a lifesaving teamwork effort. So, yes, those are the ties that make us human and keep us secure. But doing that as a crisis negotiator is such a selfless, tireless, and perilous job that to do it with all you've got, and with nothing personal to gain other than the satisfaction of what you've done for others, is about as awesome as it gets.

Sorry, I can't give any of you good advice on how to be subtle and keep your temper under wraps. I failed that course. "What's on your lung is on your tongue"-- that's what my college roommate used to say about me. Definitely not a plus in negotiations. When I sat in on those long talks between the lead hostage negotiators and the simulated hostage-takers, it took all my self-control not to grab their phones and order the bad guy to send out those hostages, unharmed, right now, or SWAT would burst in and do it for him. Trust me, that would NOT have gone over well. The self-control these special agents exert is staggering.

It's funny you should mention Hannibal Lechter. Several reviewers have compared my villain in TWISTED to him in his serial killer depravity (no flesh-eating, don't worry). And in real life, I'm such a softie. I STILL don't understand why that wonderful spider had to die at the end of "Charlotte's Web." And I still cry at Disney movies. So I have no idea how I write my terrifying scenes. It just happens. And, believe it or not, some of those scenes I have trouble re-reading!

Yes, I've seen some pretty gory stuff. The ongoing cases are never discussed; it's the closed ones that the Bureau will share elements of with me.

It's funny, Michelle. I'm as impatient as you are (I'm Type A+), but that quality manifests itself in just the opposite way where it comes to reading. I'm fixated on the thriller facets of the book, and I love the thrill of the chase as I fly through the book, trying to solve the mystery. I'm more frustrated by things like misunderstandings, lack of awareness of one's own feelings, and longstanding (un-culminated) sexual tension. I think that's because I'm all about communication. I'm much more into creating 3D characters who evolve rapidly throughout the book, and a relationship that's recognized by the couple involved sooner rather than later. Then, they can battle their individual demons, their relationship demons, and, at the same time, take on the common enemy together. There's plenty of room in a good thriller for sizzle and for baggage. In TWISTED, lots of that baggage stems from the steamy love affair between Sloane and Derek that ended under the most painful of circumstances a year ago. But, believe me, that fire is still smoldering away, and it explodes wide open, just like the mystery!

Balancing a complicated thriller and an equally complicated romantic relationship is a tough, tough job. But I must be a glutton for punishment, because I love the challenge of doing it!

I hope you all feel I was successful when you read TWISTED. Please let me know-- e-mail me at: writetome@andrekane.com.

Again, it's been a real pleasure chatting with all of you. Thank you, Michelle, for having me. The Bellas are every bit as great as you said they'd be!

hi, ricasella! Thanks for dropping in! Those are great words of praise for Andrea and her book.

Wow, rhianna, that sounds as if it was an intense, but really impactful experience.

Hi there! I just read Twisted and was amazed at the depth of information in it. What a fantastic read. I kept me enthralled the whole time. It was a great book. I would recommend it to anyone. The characters have personalities and you actually feel for them. I absolutely loved this book. Kudo's Andera.
Rlcasella

Hi Andrea. Sounds like your FBI visit was amazing!

I took SANE training, which is Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner training and at the course I took was a female FBI profiler. She was fascinating and we were shown some very graphic pictures of crime scenes, where information on wounds and other things were noted. While you were there did they allow you to see this type of detail?

Rhianna

amy: you're a very scary woman. that's all's I'm sayin.

Portia, does that mean that if you watch enough WWII documentaries, himself will have a go at the Hotel Chocolat with you?

oh, stace: welcome to my world. The letting emotions get the best part, not the flesh-eating, Silence of the Lambs serial-killer part.

I constantly have to haul myself back from the brink of going off about something or other, and, in hindsight, always am glad I waited. Because there are so many other ways for me to make a fool of myself, why just bother all the time with hot-headed reactionary-ism-ness? (it's a damn word if I say it is).

Andrea, everyone knows I'm not a particularly adept "mystery " or "thriller" reader, because I get impatient for the "whodunnit," or frustrated because I can't figure out clues and stuff. But not all romantic thrillers or suspense novels seem to remember there's supposed to be a love story involved. Sometimes it's like men's thriller fiction with a kiss tossed in, but the girl doesn't end up dead (which Bob Mayer says is requisite in guy thriller books). :)

How do you make sure the love story doesn't play second fiddle to the action?

Hi Andrea, welcome to our world. I read "Scent of Danger" and "Run for your Life" and enjoyed them very much. I haven't read as much romantic suspense, but I'm slowly circling around the sub-genres, trying new stories all the time, and I am fascinated by your research.

When I think of Quantico, I can't help but think of "Silence of the Lambs", and not just the movie but the book. I'm sure seeing it in person and watching the workings that go on there really make it so real. That must be rather scary, even as it's also exhilerating.

Keeping a level head, now that's an area I could use some work in. I tend to let my emotions get the best of me and tend to go on the defensive, which can really turn a tense situation into a danger zone. Not that I'm a shrieking banshee (much) but I tend to mouth off first before thinking clearly about what I want to say to make the negotiations go more smoothly.

Andrea, isn't that all what we want--for people to 'get' who we are? So, for a law inforcement agent to be able to have the skills to do that in a chaotic, stressful, life threatening situation is awe-inspiring.

And, see, I knew Quantico was cool.

Hi, Bellas. Forgive me, I had to run out for a little while, and it seems that while I was gone, the blog was hopping! I'm hoping that lots of you, like me, spend evening hours on line and will read this after-hours (not for writers-- we work 24/7!) post.

When people ask me what kind of thrillers I write, I always say "psychological thrillers." Because nothing is more fascinating to me than the human mind. Getting inside the head of a "villain" is just as exciting as getting inside the head of a "hero/heroine." That's why I was so drawn to the CNU and the BAU (That's Crisis Negotiation Unit and Behavioral Analysis Unit; the latter is what you're watching, Hollywood style, when you watch "Criminal Minds", for those of you who tune in to that show.)

All of you are right. Everything in life is a negotiation. It involves compromise, understanding, smarts AND psychology (as in amyskf's comment about when NOT to try negotiating with a man-- and I loved the part about carrying a gun, too!). The CNU teaches "Active Listening Skills" to their trainees, and most of those are about making the person who's holding the hostages feel that you get who they are, what they need, where they're coming from. It sounds like common sense, but it's awesome to watch. Especially when they keep their cool and their patience, and negotiate for hours and hours on end.

Let's talk Quantico. It's every bit as awesome as Oz, only without the emerald color. I've been there extensively for my research and I'm going again in a few weeks, and I STILL feel that sense of "Wow, it's Quantico". I could write for hours about my experiences there. And some of it I can't talk about, because it really is either need-to-know or classified (so much of the "classified" info even I, as a non-Bureau employee, am not privy to). But Quantico is bigger than life, and watching the simulated negotiation sessions (plus learning how to shoot a Glock 22), talking to the real BAU about how they profile killers, etc.-- it all comprised an experience I'll never forget (and can't wait to repeat!).

The unity and the notion of having each other's backs you were asking about, Michelle, is something I witnessed firsthand throughout the FBI: at Headquarters, at every Field Office I visited, at Quantico, at the training sessions. The FBI is a tight, unified team, and they are fiercely committed to protecting each other. It's one of the common traits I most admired about them.

I think I've rambled on enough. But I'll check back later tonight to see if anyone has other questions or other comments you'd like me to touch on. You've been a pleasure to chat with, Bellas!

I also just have to say, I feel as if my whole life is a negotiation of some sort or another and it's always good to have tips and a partner.

And maybe a gun.

I'm jealous too Portia, I have no idea why Quantico is like Oz in my head--it just seems so "strictly on a need to know basis" so that makes it an appealing place to me. And welcome Andrea!

I can't even imagine how a person goes about getting permission for something like that--who do you ask first?

And, I love the negotiation tips. I also never negotiate when too much is going on--Negotiate in a vacuum (?)ie: never bring up why flying to Paris would be a good thing while he's watching football, his team is down by 2 and there's only a minute 47 seconds left on the clock.

I'd like to hear more about the partnerships as well.

Andrea, can you talk more about the "reading your mind" part of "having someone's back?" Is that something they talk about in terms of partnership at Quantico?

Buona sera, Bellas! thanks for stoppin in, Andrea!

Great advice, danielle. :) I like that you point out how you found out you enjoy something he does by being generous and doing it with him.

cy, what is it about a hostage negotiator hero that makes him so attractive? I mean what are those qualities, do you think? Because I enjoy them, too, but I've never tried to dissect the reasons.

Indeed, Andrea. :) I was thinking about this today as I was going about some appts. And I think I really want to add sex to the list with hungry/tired, because men attach so much emotion to the act when they're in love and in a relationship, that I think it becomes vital to them. So if that part of the relationship is attended to -- as in a couple communicating needs and how they agree on expressing them, how often -- I think many small problems that continually need negotiating tend to disappear. Cause men don't really want to get to the center of the "i feel like you're rejecting me because we don't have sex more often" discussion.

Now, I'm not saying to have sex to end an argument (unless you find that works in your relationship and ends up being fun and healthy), or not feel one's got the right to say no. I've just been thinkin on this, is all...

Wow, Andrea, I am so envious of you! I adore FBI dramas, and a visit to Quantico would be just an awesome thrill. I must read 'Twisted'!

Yeah, I always find that the fine art of compromise stands me in good stead... If I spend some time taking a genuine interest in some of himself's favourite topics, I reap benefits in terms of time he'll spend chatting about the things that interest me. :)

Good afternoon, Bellas!! Welcome, welcome, Andrea!!!

I find your story facinating. I just read a book about a negotiator who did time at Quantico. I have to say it's whetted my appetite for more of those kinds of books; one about brains over brawn. Don't get me wrong, I love a good brawny fella but smarts is a serious bonus. ;o)

I think all women should take a course in negotiating. I do my best with compromise but not always successfully.