Ontelly

The Verb - James Patterson and Gillian Clarke

Logo for The Verb - James Patterson and Gillian Clarke

Ian McMillan talks to bestselling novelist James Patterson about thriller writing, discussing subjects including what makes the perfect thriller, how many twists and cliffhangers are needed to keep readers' interest and how to create the perfect hero and the perfect villain. Plus Wales's National poet Gillian Clarke reading from her latest collection, Zimbabwean novelist Brian Chikwava, author of Harare North, with a new short story written specially for the programme and music in Gaelic from Alyth.