What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Picasso Job?
I wanted to write a HEAT-type heist thriller where the bad guys were good and the good guys were bad, but once I started to outline the story, I realized that there would be more conflict if two of the thieves were trying to kill the hero thief, who does have a heart of gold. The good “guy,” a female FBI agent, has flaws but turned out not to be rotten as I’d initially envisioned. It’s fun to see how a story comes to life as I outline and begin to write the chapters.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Picasso Job, what would they be?
Funny you should ask. Band on the Run by McCartney and Wings would be an apt theme song. Check out the Spotify playlist my publicist and I put together: Spotify Playlist
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I love all kinds of action thrillers. Yes, that’s the genre I work in.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
American Assassin (Flynn), The List (Berry), Damascus Station (McCloskey), and Secret of Secrets (Brown).
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The climax of the story. I know if it moves me, readers will also feel the emotional punch.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I love to outline while I’m hiking.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
The one most relevant to this novel is to “Let it go.” This motto is repeated by one of the side characters and mirrors the book’s theme of forgiveness.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Hate will eat you up from the inside.
Avanti Centrae is the author of the new book The Picasso Job
Connect with Avanti Centrae
Author Site
Sign up for our email and we’ll send you the best new books in your favorite genres weekly.