What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
As shown by the Succession series, the quest for leadership has plenty of fodder for storytelling. As an inhabitant of several organizations and as a societal observer, I've been entranced by leadership transitions and power struggles. Pointedly, I've found the machinations behind the election of popes and several high-profile CEO succession battles quite gripping.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
Given Jon’s love of opera, I’d go with "Nessun Dorma" by Puccini. Paxton immersed himself in tracks from decades ago. Hence, for him, I’d go with the upbeat "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire. For the combative Quinn, I’ll go with Hans Zimmer’s "The Battle."
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
Thriller espionage and biographies of business titans.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
On fiction books: The Telecom Takeover by Beverly Winter; Whisper Network by Chandler Baker; and Restless by William Boyd. On nonfiction: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson; How Spies Think by David Omand; The Secret Life of Bletchley Park by Sinclair Mackay; and How to Think Like a Spy by Julian Fisher.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Many close calls! It's a choice between the antagonist Quinn's visit to a church, Paxton reeling after learning about the resignation of his friend and CEO, and the protagonist Jon's response in the final boardroom showdown. That said, I'll have to go with the protagonist's coup de grâce. It was cathartic, and it involved multi-character interaction within a scene. I found it positively challenging to write the latter aspect.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
My best writing occurs anytime between 2:00 and 8:00 a.m. I listen to music from Sade and John Barry (The Living Daylights and On Her Majesty's Secret Service tracks) when writing.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
Martin Luther King's exhortation: "Move. Fly, if you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl. At all costs, keep moving."
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Attaining durable success is never a solo endeavor. Forging the right alliances and who you have in your corner makes a difference.
Thomas Vincent Papa is the author of the new book Black and White Smoke
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