David Baldacci is the eleven-times New York Times bestselling author of Absolute Power, Total Control, The Winner, The Simple Truth, Saving Faith, Wish You Well, Last Man Standing, The Christmas Train, Split Second, Hour Game and The Camel Club. He lives in his native state of Virginia.

Question: How did you become a writer?

David Baldacci: I started writing very early, in high school. I continued through college and while I pursued a law degree at the University of Virginia. During my years as an active attorney, I wrote in the late evening and anytime I had a spare moment. It was my private passion.

Q: Where do you get your book ideas and themes?

DB: I am always thinking about and seeking story ideas. As a writer, you can never 'turn off' your passion for the written word and love of a great story. So I watch life, listen intently, and basically drive everyone around me a bit crazy as I absorb every environment in which I find myself. And believe me, being naturally curious uncovers many possible storylines. Writers have to see the world exactly as it is, and then go a step further and realize the potential of what could be there.

Q: Do you conduct your own research?

DB: For me, doing my own research is essential to the writing process. Until I am in the midst of a chapter, paragraph, or even dialogue between characters, I never know what my research can bring to the story. Bottom line - if I cut corners on being less than thorough with the research, the story will suffer.

Q: Which of your books is your favorite?

DB: Choosing one of my books as a favorite is like deciding on which of your children you love the most -- impossible. I enjoyed writing each of my novels for different reasons.

Q: How many books do you have in print?

DB: I have over 50 million copies of my books in print worldwide, translated into more than 40 languages and sold in more than 80 countries.

Q: Do you accept story ideas from others?

DB: I have so many stories I want to tell and explore that I am not able to accept story ideas from others. With my current and projected work schedule, honestly, I would not be able to give outside ideas the thought and writing time that they would need.

Q: What authors or books do you enjoy and admire?

DB: I admire many of the traditional southern scribes: Flannery O'Connor, Lee Smith, Eudora Welty, Harper Lee, Walker Percy, and Truman Capote. Since college I have been reading and re-reading works by Anne Tyler, and John Irving. I've also been reading Graham Greene and Patricia Highsmith. And I am never far from a well-read copy of Mark Twain.

Q: What television and/or movie projects are you working on currently?

DB: I have several film projects being considered and I continue to work with producers in Los Angeles on getting my books to the 'big screen'. Keep checking the web site for updates.

Q: What's next?

DB: I am finishing up Stone Cold, out in Autumn 2007, another adventure for The Camel Club, and researching the next book in which I'm bringing back Sean King and Michelle Maxwell.