Dirk Cussler: On Writing Escapist Adventure

Dirk Cussler is the author of Clive Cussler’s The Devil’s Sea, and coauthor with Clive Cussler of eight previous Dirk Pitt adventures: Black Wind, Treasure of Khan, Arctic Drift, Crescent Dawn, Poseidon’s Arrow, Havana Storm, Odessa Sea, and Celtic Empire. He serves as president of NUMA, a maritime foundation which searches for important historical shipwrecks. He lives in Connecticut. Follow him on Facebook.

Dirk Cussler

In this post, Dirk discusses how the Phoney War inspired his new action novel, The Corsican Shadow, what surprised him in the writing process, and more!

Name: Dirk Cussler
Literary agent: Peter Lampack
Book title: The Corsican Shadow
Publisher: Putnam
Expected release date: November 7, 2023
Genre/category: Action/Adventure
Previous titles: The Devil’s Sea, Celtic Empire, and many others
Elevator pitch: A lost cache of diamonds, a national treasure gone missing, and a series of global terrorist attacks sends Dirk Pitt on his 27th literary adventure to solve a World War II mystery and save the world from catastrophe.

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What prompted you to write this book?

I became interested in an odd period of history between September 1939 and May 1940, when the Allies and Germany engaged in what became known as the Phoney War. Both sides massed their armies along the French and Belgian borders, but no shots were fired for nearly a year. It was an eerie calm that allowed time for the curators in Paris to evacuate the great works of art housed in the Louvre and other museums, secreting them to hidden locations in the south of France. It made me consider what other type of objects could have been evacuated … and subsequently lost in the fog of war.

How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?

It was about 20 months from concept to publication. The storyline held true throughout, although I did add one element that I had not initially considered. France built a remarkable submarine called the Surcouf in 1929. It carried an airplane in a waterproof hangar, and was twice as large as any submarine built to date. It went missing early in World War II, and I was able to fit the mystery of its disappearance into the story.

Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?

I was surprised when a staffing change occurred at the publisher and a new editor was assigned to work with me. Change always brings a discomfort factor, but I was pleased to find the changeover handled seamlessly, and I am delighted with my new editor.

Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?

I am always surprised at how long it takes me to reach the end. The process has never come fast for me, and I am resigned to the fact I am not a quick writer, and never will be.

What do you hope readers will get out of your book?

I hope readers will find a few hours of escapist adventure that keeps them turning the pages and piques their curiosity about the tidbits of history that are mixed into the story.

If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?

Park your rear in the seat every day and don’t leave until you’ve got something to show for it.

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