"ALL MY BOOKS ARE ME WORKING OUT SOMETHING FOR MYSELF.": AN INTERVIEW WITH THE MEDUSA PROTOCOL'S ROB HART

The Medusa Protocol is Rob Harts second book to feature former hired killer Mark and his Assassins Anonymous twelve step group. They all go into action when his girlfriend and fellow recovering hitter Astrid. I questioned Rob about this next step, this unique series, and writing in general.

SCOTT MONTGOMERY: After writing Assassin's Anonymous, what pushed you to continue Mark and Astrid's story?

ROB HART: The concept just felt like it supported a series. You've got a room full of killers, all with their own stories, and traumas, and rock bottoms. Plus I just really like hanging out with these folks. I feel like I could write a dozen of these. 

S.M.: In this book Astrid gets much of the spotlight. What did you enjoy about writing for her?

R.H.: I like that Astrid has a different voice than Mark--she's less of a goofball, but she's also a deeply smart and capable person. It was a bit of a challenge, making sure she and Mark sounded different, but I had a blast writing her. 

S.M.: If memory serves me, this is the first time you have a team adventure with Mark's twelve step group. How did you find writing for that dynamic?

R.H.: It was great--getting them out in the world, seeing how they react to things, it helps to open things up. 

S.M.:: How do you deal with the challenge of writing an action novel where the protagonists do everything possible not to kill someone?

R.H.: That's a tough one. It's so easy to just kill someone and end that conversation. So it's not just about finding creative ways for these folks to protect themselves and defend others, but also, how do they know the people they've left alive won't just turn around and come back after them? I also spent a ton of time researching non-lethal weapons, which is a lot of fun, and requires a lot of creativity on how to best deploy them. 

S.M.: I realized redemption is a recurring theme in your books. What attracts you to that?

R.H.: I'm in my 40s and I look around and realize that I've done some stuff I'm proud of, and some stuff I'm not so proud of. So I'm doing my best to grow and change and be a better person. The question I have to ask myself sometimes is: is that possible? All of my books are me working out something for myself. 

S.M.: If you couldn't write, what other artform would you pursue?

R.H.: I can't imagine not writing. What a miserable existence that would be. I'd probably just mine coal or something.