Brad Meltzer on The Viper, Witness Protection, and Starting Over

Overview

Brad Meltzer discusses his latest thriller, The Viper, and the meticulous research behind it, including insights into America's most secretive funeral home and the witness protection program. The conversation explores themes of reinvention, the value of rough drafts in life and art, and the moral complexities of his storytelling. Meltzer also reflects on his versatility as a writer across genres and his commitment to inspiring readers through stories of resilience and heroism.

Notable Quotes

- In life as in art, the rough draft is littered with regrets and flaws, but you can't make a masterpiece without them. – Brad Meltzer, on the concept of pentimento and personal growth.

- If you are cheering while books are being pulled off the shelf, you will eventually be revealed as the bad guy in the story. – Brad Meltzer, on the banning of his children's books.

- Tell me your favorite conspiracy, and I'll show you who you are. – Brad Meltzer, on how conspiracies reflect personal fears.

🎨 The Meaning of Pentimento

- Meltzer explains pentimento, a painting term where old layers of paint become visible, revealing the artist's original draft. He uses this as a metaphor for life, emphasizing that mistakes and regrets are essential to creating a masterpiece.

- The concept is central to The Viper and Meltzer’s personal journey, as he reflects on embracing imperfections to build something meaningful.

- The book’s most pivotal line—In life as in art, the rough draft is littered with regrets and flaws, but you can't make a masterpiece without them—was inspired by a conversation with his daughter.

⚰️ Inside America’s Most Secretive Funeral Home

- Meltzer shares his research on Dover Air Force Base, where fallen soldiers, astronauts, and spies are prepared for burial. He describes the morticians’ extraordinary dedication, such as reconstructing bodies so families can say goodbye.

- The character Zig in The Viper is based on a real mortician Meltzer met at Dover. Details like using an orange to texture clay for facial reconstruction highlight the authenticity of his storytelling.

- Meltzer finds hope in Dover’s mission to provide closure to grieving families, calling it a place of humility and inspiration.

🕵️‍♂️ The Realities of Witness Protection

- Meltzer explores the evolution of the witness protection program, from protecting mob informants to hiding terrorists and even accountants.

- He reveals the program’s biggest challenge: participants often break the rules by reconnecting with their past, leading to failures.

- On disappearing in today’s digital age, Meltzer advises: Fake your death, stay off phones, and lead a simple life.

📚 Banned Books and the Fight for Representation

- Meltzer discusses the banning of his children’s books, including I Am Rosa Parks and I Am Martin Luther King Jr., often due to political or cultural backlash.

- He recounts how students in Pennsylvania fought to overturn a ban, demonstrating the power of young voices.

- Meltzer emphasizes the importance of representation in literature, stating that heroes inspire change by helping others, whether through direct action or by serving as role models.

🖋️ Writing Across Genres and the Power of Storytelling

- Meltzer attributes his success across thrillers, children’s books, and nonfiction to his belief that a good story is a good story.

- He shares how rejection fuels his determination, citing how his first children’s book was initially turned down but later became a bestseller.

- For Meltzer, the best stories are those he feels compelled to tell, such as the real-life plot to assassinate George Washington, which became the basis for his nonfiction book The First Conspiracy.

- He stresses the importance of authenticity and research, ensuring every detail in his books rings true, whether it’s about morticians or secret tunnels under the White House.