On today’s 162nd episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple is pleased to spend some time with Tod Goldberg, as he joins us to discuss his latest novel Gangsters Don't Die.
As you’ll quickly see, Tod—part of the Lee & Tod Goldberg Hall of Fame—is one of a dream guest because not only does he deliver the laughs, but he’s one of the most natural storytellers you’ll ever meet.
They delve into Todd's prolific writing career, covering 15 best-selling novels, many of which revolve around the world of gangsters.
The conversation covers various topics, including Todd's fascination with organized crime and the allure of gangster stories. They discuss the appeal of getting away with it and the American dream of pushing the boundaries of the law. Todd shares his personal connection to the world of gangsters, growing up around individuals with ties to organized crime.
They also touch on the moral ambiguity of the characters in Todd's books, particularly the protagonist Sal Cupertine, who is both detestable and lovable at the same time. Todd explains his approach to writing complex characters and the challenge of making readers root for a hitman.
David praises Todd's latest book, "Gangsters Don't Die," calling it one of his favorite books of the year. He highlights the powerful prologue and the moral ambiguity that runs throughout the story. Todd shares the personal story behind the creation of the character Christie Levine, based on a close friend who battled cancer.
The conversation then shifts to Todd's role as a professor and director of a low-residency MFA program at UC Riverside. Todd discusses his philosophy of teaching and his goal of positioning his students for success in the writing business. He emphasizes the importance of treating art as commerce and not settling for struggling as an artist.
Towards the end of the episode, David asks Todd about his podcast, Literary Disco. Todd mentions that the podcast is currently on hiatus but has had a successful 12-year run. He hints at a new deal and network for the podcast, which will be announced soon.
The episode concludes with David asking Todd for his best piece of writing advice. Todd shares a valuable lesson he learned from author Donald Westlake, which is to end a story when the reader cannot predict the next page. He emphasizes the importance of constantly surprising the reader and keeping them engaged.
To learn more about Tod visit his website: TodGoldberg.com and purchase his book on Amazon here. Who knows, maybe Tod will give you a bonus prize when you mention you heard about his book while listening to The Thriller Zone Podcast.
Listen: TheThrillerZone.com and ALL Podcast Channels. Watch: YouTube.com/thethrillerzone
- - - - - -
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Small Talk
00:51 Excitement to Have the Guest on the Show
01:23 Discussing the Guest's Prolific Work
02:01 The Guest's Talent and Success
03:20 Pride of the Guest's Parents
04:09 Scheduling the Guest's Appearance on the Show
04:57 Arranging the Guest's Appearance for Maximum Impact
05:25 Humorous Discussion about the Guest's Brother
06:17 The Guest's Love for Gangster Stories
06:46 The Popularity of Gangster Stories
07:24 The Guest's Connection to Gangster Stories
09:55 The Guest's Personal Experience with Gangsters
11:47 The Guest's Writing Process
12:30 The Guest's Approach to Writing Characters
13:10 The Guest's Favorite Book of the Year
14:42 The Prologue of the Guest's Book
15:11 The Guest's Wife's Reaction to the Book
15:51 The Guest's Ability to Create Complex Characters
18:43 The Guest's Teaching Career
19:30 The Guest's Experience in the MFA Program
21:08 The Guest's Writing Advice
21:57 The Guest's Thoughts on Endings
22:19 The Guest's Desire for Ambiguous Endings
24:15 Discussion about the Guest's Book Series
25:18 The Guest's Plans for the Book Series
26:17 The Guest's Love for Happy Endings
26:35 The Guest's Thoughts on Right and Wrong
27:15 The Guest's Desire for Reader Interpretation
27:53 The Guest's Thoughts on Open-Ended Stories
28:58 The Guest's Personal Background and Writing Preferences
29:28 The Guest's Thoughts on Human Nature
29:32 The Guest's Upbringing and Interest in Dark Stories
31:12 The Guest's Thoughts on Morality
31:57 The Guest's Research on Gangsters
33:02 The Guest's Experience with Real Gangsters
33:13 The Guest's Thoughts on Real Gangsters
34:01 The Guest's Appreciation for Heart and Moral Ambiguity in Stories
34:30 The Guest's Thoughts on Detestable and Likable Characters
35:59 The Guest's Career in Teaching
37:18 The Guest's Experience in the MFA Program
37:30 The Guest's Approach to Teaching Writing
38:16 The Guest's Thoughts on the Value of an MFA
38:43 The Guest's Experience in the MFA Program
39:13 The Guest's Thoughts on the Value of an MFA
41:09 Discussion about the Guest's Podcast
41:37 The Guest's Podcast and Future Plans
45:26 The Guest's Book Adaptation Progress
46:19 The Guest's Best Writing Advice
48:27 Closing Remarks and Farewell
