A Conversation with Thriller Writer Vincent J. Sachar

with Vincent J. Sachar

We are delighted to welcome thriller writer Vincent J. Sachar to Omnimystery News today.

Vincent introduced Navy SEAL turned serial killer Kent Taylor in The Nowhere Man, and its sequel, Nowhere Out (Divont Publishers; September 2014 trade paperback and ebook formats), has just been published.

We recently had a chance to talk with Vincent a little more about his books.

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Omnimystery News: Introduce us to Kent Taylor. What is it about him that appeals to you as a writer?

Photo provided courtesy of
Vincent J. Sachar

Vincent J. Sachar: With his training and experience as one of the very best of his country's elite Special Forces, in a very real sense, Kent Taylor — also known as Ron Woodruff — was always a "dangerous" man. But until he was shockingly stripped of everything he loved and valued, Taylor never used his deadly skills and stealth except in the line of service to his country. Some fourteen years earlier, Taylor committed a series of revenge killings. His victims were individuals he believed were directly or indirectly responsible for the murders of his pregnant wife, his young son, and his wife's parents.

In Nowhere Out, we find Taylor existing as a recluse. It is quite clear that Taylor believes he has forfeited the right to any pursuit of happiness. From a very secluded home in upstate New York, to a lifestyle with virtually no contact with others, Taylor is living the life of a "nowhere man."

Taylor intrigues me because he is a former decorated Special Forces officer. He was a loving husband and father and a true patriot to his country who has seemingly lost his true self.

He has a new identity, a new and hidden lifestyle, but he is still Kent Taylor. Without ever justifying Taylor's actions, it is an ongoing challenge to present a former murderer and currently self-imposed solitary as a man who readers will actually like and respect.

It is also appealing to force Taylor to see beyond his identity as the once "Ghost Assassin," and, despite his reluctance to do so, acknowledge his true self.

In Nowhere Out, we also have an opportunity to bring this character to some degree of redemption and recovery.

OMN: Are there any other recurring or intriguing characters in the books?

VJS: There is one other key recurring character and several others who significantly appeal to me as a writer.

Bill Gladding (recurring) — When I first created Bill Gladding, this seasoned, decorated FBI Special Agent was hunting for the "Ghost Assassin," who turned out to be Kent Taylor. When Gladding began his pursuit, he anticipated the assassin to be a cold-blooded serial killer. Taylor was nothing close to what Gladding expected.

In Gladding, we find a "law and order," "black and white," lawman who is forced to re-examine his standards when he encounters Kent Taylor. Gladding had never before justified the actions of a criminal. Although he does not go that far with Taylor, Gladding does wonder whether he, under the same circumstances, might have done the same things as Taylor.

In Nowhere Out, after some fourteen years, Gladding has no idea whether Taylor is even alive. The skills of this current serial killer, dubbed "The Night Shadow Killer," evoke memories of the "Ghost Assassin." Gladding struggles with his concern that Taylor might be killing again.
It is appealing to me to take a renowned federal law enforcement officer and reveal that he is more than a "by-the-book" law enforcement officer unable to look deeper into situations and reappraise his thinking. It is also very appealing to create a unique dynamic between a federal agent and a man who committed revenge killings.

The Night Shadow Killer — The Shadow is a hired killer. His murders all relate to individuals somehow linked to a state commission investigating criminal activity by government officials.

In the Shadow, we find a killer whose stealth and skills rival those of Taylor fourteen years earlier — skills that just about every expert criminologist believed they would never see again.

Yet, the Shadow is significantly different from Taylor. Today's killer seems to revel in taking the lives of others. In addition, unlike Taylor, the Shadow evinces an ego that hovers somewhere up in the stratosphere of narcissistic personalities. He taunts the law enforcement officers pursuing him and the media. He does the job for which he is very well paid, but it is evident that absolutely no one controls him. He had turned a paid assignment into an opportunity to showcase his murderous talents.

I have never created anyone as intrinsically evil as this man. As a writer, I have first-hand, behind-the-scenes knowledge of this man, well before all other characters in my book.

Katie Dunham — What Katie and Kent Taylor share in common are the inner scars they bear from some of life's deepest hurts. Primarily, they both lost their spouses, whom they deeply loved.

What Katie and Kent do not have in common is the manner in which they responded to their grief.

Kent struck out and killed those he ascertained were responsible for the deaths of his loved ones. Now, he lives as one who believes he has forfeited any right to happiness. We find him withdrawn completely from society.

As the years have passed, Katie has never come close to sharing her heart again. Yet, she is a kind and giving person who is genuinely warm and friendly to others.

Like Kent Taylor, Katie's heart has been pierced. Life, in an apparent act of cruelty, in an example of "bad things happening to good people," has crushed her.

Even so, her warmth and kindness are not phony acts nor fakery. At the same time, the loneliness and wounds within her own heart are real also.
So once again, as with Taylor, I have created someone who bears seemingly opposite character traits and needs in her life. She asks for nothing, but deeply desires much. Katie Dunham is also very observant, very keen in her discernment. Because of this, Katie is able to see beyond the warning signs that emanate from Taylor and identify the true person hidden deeply within.

This story needed someone to help unlock Kent Taylor and Katie Dunham is able to do so.

OMN: You've now featured some recurring and key characters in two books. How do you see them developing in the future?

VJS: I am generally interested in developing characters, while at the same time retaining a certain uniqueness of their personality traits readily identifiable to readers familiar with them. Generally, in developing them, my goal is to have these characters face and overcome certain fears, inhibitions, and limitations. The challenge in doing so is to generate circumstances that are plausible and force a character to have to face and overcome personal barriers.

OMN: How much of your own personal or professional experience have you included in the books?

VJS: In my first novel, The Nowhere Man, there are several scenes that occur in Yonkers, N.Y. and Westchester County. I was born in that city and lived there until I left for college in New Orleans.

Nowhere Out contains references to Houma, LA and Terrebonne Parish, where my wife, Gwen, was born and lived until we married and moved to New York.

I did not base any characters directly upon people that I know.

OMN: Tell us a little more about your writing process.

VJS: Once I have established the general plot and ultimate goal of my novel, I let the story develop as I write. Of course, I am aware of goals and boundaries that I have, yet in many instances, certain subplots come to fruition once I begin the journey of writing the book.

Although I do not create a detailed biography for my characters, I do establish a mental image for the personality of each one. In my mind, whenever I am writing about a character or that character is speaking, I attempt to enter into that character and think, speak, act and react as that character would. My goal is to keep the characters consistent. This includes any speech patterns and personality quirks that I have created for them.

I "see" what I write. I actually visualize scenes, which also aids in my freedom to expand on a particular event and even add characters as needed.

OMN: Where do you usually find yourself writing?

VJS: I primarily write in my study (or, as my wife often calls it, my "man-cave"). I also upload my manuscripts into my iPad and carry that with me when I am away from home.

Lawrence Kasdan, the renowned American director, producer, and screenwriter, states that "Being a writer is like having homework every night for the rest of your life." Man, was he right about that.

At the time of publishing my first two novels, I have maintained full-time employment as a managing director of a global consulting company. As a result, I write early in the morning prior to going to the office, in the evenings, and on weekends and holidays. I also schedule my writing around activities and times with my wife, so as to never deprive us of the special times we share together.

Writing is a discipline, but I do not ever want it to become a chore. Most of the time, I sit and write creatively. At other times, I review my writings with a fresh view and make the changes or additions that come to mind.

OMN: What is the best advice — and harshest criticism — you've received as an author? And what might you say to aspiring writers?

VJS: Some solid advice is that an author should always put himself or herself in the shoes of a reader and ask, "Will readers understand this reference or remember this character?" Also, that my character needs to react to every important moment in my story.

I have not yet received any harsh criticism, which likely stems from the fact that I am still a relatively new writer with a growing audience. I may currently be my own harshest critic.

The advice I might share with aspiring authors is that writing is definitely a discipline. I can hardly even cite the number of people who, upon learning that I had published a novel, immediately tell me that they have always intended to write one also. With no intent to sound smug or critical, I think to myself that the odds are they never will. There is no alternative to sitting down, committing yourself to designated times, and writing.

Also, as much as anyone may love to write, there are definitely times when we are not particularly thrilled with the manner in which our words are flowing. That is when we need to write anyway. We can always edit and clean up afterwards.

Additionally, there may be times when a writer is a bit stifled. Sometimes I have had to jump a few scenes and write something that will occur later in my story. I know that I am very likely to use the gist of that event or occurrence, so rather than flounder a bit, I create a scene that I am confident I will use.

Finally, as to writing style, be true to yourself. Do not try to be so cutesy and creative that you are no longer yourself.

OMN: Complete this sentence for us: "I am a mystery author and thriller-suspense writer and thus I am also …".

VJS: I am a mystery author and thriller-suspense writer and thus I am also a story-teller, who of necessity must write about certain things that I, thankfully, have never actually done.

OMN: How do your book covers relate to the story being told? And how did Nowhere Out come to be titled?

VJS: With regard to the book cover design, I chose the cover design for The Nowhere Man to depict a man heading out into turbulent waters on a bridge that seemingly leads to nowhere.

For Nowhere Out I chose a design where a man is once again on a bridge over water, but the scene is much more colorful, the water very placid, and the silhouette of the man has his arms raised in a symbol of victory.

With regard to how this book became titled, I chose a title that is a sort of play on words. The lead protagonist, Kent Taylor, the "nowhere man" in the first book is placed into a set of circumstances where he is challenged to come out of hiding if he is to save the lives of others. In another sense, Taylor finds himself somewhat cornered with no genuinely noble way out of the situation he is in.

OMN: What kind of feedback have you received from readers?

VJS: Most of the feedback I have received relates to the fact that readers say the book is hard to put down and takes the reader on a journey filled with emotions.

Interestingly, I constantly receive feedback that a reader believes that my novels sound like something that should be made into a movie. I personally believe that is because, as I stated earlier, I see what I write. I visualize my characters and scenes.

In some way, this seems to create situations where a reader might also be able to "see" things as they would when watching a movie.

OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young?

VJS: I have always been an avid reader, dating back to my elementary school days. A classmate and I would trudge to the local library during our lunch breaks to check out books to read. I guess I am one of those guys who would feel a sense of sanctity whenever I would step into a library. I read classic books for kids and really did not read mystery, detective or suspense novels until later. I began reading Rex Stout mystery novels and was fascinated by the key characters, Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin that Stout created.

But night law school, after working a full day in Manhattan, put a damper on my ability to read something other than law school textbooks and related material that would impact upon my ability to acquire my Juris Doctor degree.

It did not take long afterwards, for my hunger to read for pleasure, my desire to read something not directly related to my career or business acumen led me back to reading for my own personal joy and fulfillment.

OMN: What do you read now for pleasure?

VJS: I am never without my latest read, which normally is in genres such as thrillers, suspense, mystery, and even some fantasy novels. And when I read, I am soon deeply immersed in the heart of that novel, walking its streets, encountering its characters, and taking the journey where the book is leading me. As to authors, I have read just about everything written by Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, James Lee Burke, David Baldacci and all of the early John Grisham novels. I recently read Blake Crouch's Wayward Pines trilogy.

I enjoy a good story and I enjoy character development.

OMN: What kinds of films do you enjoy watching? And might any of these influenced your books in any way?

VJS: I cannot say that I was directly thinking of any particular book or movie that inspired my books to date, but if I had to choose a book, the classic western Shane certainly had impact when you think of Taylor with a hidden past in Nowhere Out.

Movies such as The Fugitive and the "Bourne" movies are likely somewhere in my psyche when I create a character, such as Lt. Commander Kent Taylor.

OMN: Suppose this series were to be adapted for television or film. Who do you see playing the key roles?

VJS: That is a very intriguing question. I definitely have a mental image of key characters. Okay, someone I think could make an excellent Kent Taylor would be Alex O'Loughlin, who plays Steve McGarrett on the current Hawaii Five-0 television series.

Canadian actress Nicole de Boer could be an excellent choice for Katie Dunham.

Harry Connick, Jr. could play the role of Bill Gladding, as well as Kent Taylor, as could George Clooney.

OMN: What's next for you?

VJS: I have completed several chapters of a third "Nowhere" novel with some of the same Nowhere Out characters.

Among my other writings, I have also completed an initial manuscript and a sequel for two fantasy fiction novels. I am currently reviewing my manuscripts prior to publishing.

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Vincent Sachar is a native New Yorker who was born in Yonkers. He attended high school in the Bronx, then began his undergraduate studies at Loyola University in New Orleans. There, at seventeen years old, he met his wife, Gwen.

Sachar earned his Juris Doctor from St. John's Law School in New York. Throughout his career, he has functioned as a general counsel, corporate secretary of corporations and a managing director of a global consulting company.

In the course of their marriage, the Sachars have lived in New York, Illinois, Texas, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina and currently live in south Florida.

For more information about the author, please visit his website at VincentSachar.com and his author page on Goodreads.

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Nowhere Out
Vincent J. Sachar
A Kent Taylor Thriller

Former Navy SEAL Kent Taylor, under the false identity of Ronald Lane Woodruff, is hidden away with a reclusive lifestyle that he must have for reasons that touch upon the safety of others.

When a supremely skilled serial killer surfaces in the New York metropolitan area, Taylor is square in the crosshairs of FBI agents as the likely hit man. FBI Special Agent Bill Gladding shudders to think that the murders may be at the hands of the legendary "Ghost Assassin," as Taylor was once dubbed due to his stealth killings.

Suddenly, the walls that have protected the dark secrets of his past are crumbling. As the toll of victims from this killer continues to grow, it becomes increasingly apparent that Kent Taylor may well be the only one who can stop him.

Years ago, Taylor could not stop the murders of his own family members. Will he dare come out of hiding and use his legendary skills, training, and expertise to save the lives of others?

For the former decorated Navy SEAL, for the former "Ghost Assassin," that is the ultimate challenge!