Ben Rehder

A. Do you use the Gregorian calendar? I thought so, but it never hurts to check. The sixth book in the series, Holy Moly, will be published on May 13, 2008. It's about a televangelist, a backhoe operator, a game warden, and their twisted three-way love affair.  Sorry, I’m thinking of a different book.  I guess you’ll just have to read it.

A. Small wild mammals whisper them into my ears when I’m sleeping. Nyquil is usually involved. Plus, I read the newspaper every day. It’s amazing what happens in real life that makes fiction seem tame. Ultimately, though, the ideas seem to come from out of thin air. I don’t feel responsible for them. They come from above (meaning my attic).

A. Maybe ten months. The writing isn’t the hard part, the plotting is. You have to track the thinking of multiple characters, and make sure they are all reacting sensibly to story developments. I could probably write each novel more quickly, but I like to give the plot time to “age”—sort of like the body in my trunk.

A. I have a great network of people who provide input. I have a friend who is a wildlife biologist, and he is willing to put up with my incessant questions. Also, he introduced me to a game warden, who lets me ride with him once or twice a year. (It’s nice to ride along with a game warden without wearing handcuffs for a change.) Another good friend is a former lieutenant with the Travis County Sheriff’s Department, and I pester him to no end. I have a friend who is a doctor, a sister-in-law who is a nurse, and a father-in-law who knows everything about firearms. All of these people provide outstanding input. I screw it up all on my own.

A. From 10:00 a.m. to 10:05 a.m.—every single day. It’s a rigorous schedule, but you have to make that kind of commitment to succeed.

A. I’ve hunted since I was a teenager, mostly white-tailed deer. Some people don’t like hunting, and this certainly isn’t the place for a debate. So I’ll just say I’m a firm believer in utilizing the skills that lifted us to the top of the food chain. What skills am I referring to? Square dancing, of course.

A. Probably not. I use some bad words in my novels—words like “politician” and “Sansabelt.” Clearly, they are written for an adult audience.

A. My agents are working on it—but Hollywood moves very slowly. If you want to help, call your good friend Steven Spielberg and tell him about the books. (This only applies to people who actually know Mr. Spielberg. Imaginary relationships don’t apply.)

A. Remain calm. Lie on the ground and cover your head with your hands. Pretend to be dead. Oh, wait—that’s what you do if you’re approached by a bear. If you can’t find my books, just ask the bookstore manager. Mention that you need ten copies to give as gifts. Plus, you can always find them online.

A. I pick words randomly from the dictionary. That’s why my next novel might be called Cartilage Bunnies.

A. I'll answer this question at a later date.

A. Have your ever seen Raiders of the Lost Ark? Well, my last name is pronounced the same way. Say it with me: "Ark."

A. You might be surprised to learn that your name is already in each of my books. It's just that the letters aren't in a row.

A. A real-estate agent, maybe. As far as a literary agent, my best advice is to read and use Jeff Herman's book. I can't remember the exact title, but I bet you can figure it out if you visit Amazon. You're a clever boy and/or girl.