Photo: Aclaimed author Michael Balkind, the creative voice behind exhilarating sports thrillers, shares his passion and journey in writing.
A Master Storyteller Blending Sports With High-Stakes Mystery
Michael Balkind discusses his journey as an author, blending sports with crime fiction, his creative process, writing for young audiences, and the influence of his passions on his novels.
M ichael Balkind’s name resonates with fans of pulse-pounding mysteries and sport-centric thrillers alike, a feat few authors can claim. Renowned as a master storyteller, his gripping novels, endorsed by literary titans such as James Patterson and Clive Cussler, effortlessly marry the high-octane drama of competitive sports with the edge-of-your-seat intrigue of crime and suspense. Balkind possesses the extraordinary ability to craft narratives that transport readers into vividly imagined worlds—whether on the greens of a nail-biting golf championship or amidst looming conspiracies on the international stage.
A man of remarkable versatility, Michael is as multifaceted as his characters. When not immersed in the art of storytelling, he’s often found pushing boundaries, swimming over a mile each day, or navigating off-road terrains in his Jeep. It seems his zest for life animates his plots, and his expertise in sports, combined with an innate flair for suspense, has made him a beloved figure in both adult and young adult fiction circles.
Michael Balkind’s artistry brings readers unforgettable thrillers, blending authentic sports detail with edge-of-your-seat suspense and dynamic characters.
In our conversation, Michael shed light on his creative process, his inspirations, and the passion that fuels his works such as Sudden Death and The Fix. With a career that has earned him accolades from critics and readers alike, his books prove to be much more than just thrillers—they offer a lesson in crafting stories that are as riveting as they are thought-provoking. Join us as we dive into the mind of this accomplished author, uncovering the intricate art of weaving sports, crime, and human drama into narratives that captivate and inspire.
What inspired you to merge the worlds of professional sports and high-stakes crime in your novels?
While “write what you know,” may be a cliché, for years I contemplated those words and wondered how novelists came up with their story ideas. For as long as I can remember, I have always loved reading mysteries and thrillers, and, if during my free time I wasn’t immersed in a novel, I was usually involved with sports.
After finishing a book that intrigued me, I would wonder, “How do authors come up with this stuff?” Then, about twenty years ago, I was watching a golf tournament that ended in a sudden death playoff, and the idea for my first novel hit me. I grabbed my laptop and began typing. Hours later my wife asked me what I was working on. I muttered, “I’m writing a novel.” She raised a doubtful eye and left me to it. When I finally came up for air, I told her my concept, and after some brief contemplation, she nodded her approval. That was a big moment for me, as my wife had been listening to my hair brained ideas for years at that point.
Many of your books feature young protagonists facing extraordinary challenges—what draws you to writing for a younger audience?
At my earlier book signings, parents often asked if my books were appropriate for kids. They thought my stories might get their children to put down their phones in order to read. The more I thought about that, the more I warmed to the idea. Who doesn’t agree that getting more kids to read is a great idea. After further thought, I realized that if I left out the edgier words and sexual inuendo, my stories could easily become young audience friendly. I quickly found that writing for young adults was not only easy, but kind of fun. Yeah, I guess I’ll never grow up.
How do you balance authentic sports detail with fictional suspense to keep readers engaged?
First and foremost, my novels are mysteries. The theme of professional sports brings with it big money, arrogant characters, as well as excitement and competition. I find weaving the suspense of death threats, kidnapping, and even murder fits well into the world of professional sports.
“Sudden Death” revolves around golf—how has your own love for the game influenced this story?
Many people consider watching a golf match as exciting as “watching grass grow.” Then there are those like me who can’t get enough of the sport. I love to watch the pros play as much as I enjoy hitting the links myself.
There are few feelings I know as exhilarating as hitting a “pure” shot on the golf course, and conversely, there are few things more frustrating than hitting a poor shot. When it came to writing my first novel, golf helped make it fairly easy to write. I believe it was my love of the game that turned into a writing obsession as I created my characters and scenes. The more I wrote, the more fixated I became. I truly felt as if my characters were pushing me to write more every day so they could experience the story as I wrote it. Yes, I know that may sound somewhat crazy, but hey, I am a novelist, and being a little crazy is our normal, or rather, if you’ll forgive another cliché, par for the course.
Your stories often take place in international settings, like Colombia and France. How do you research or approach writing about these locations?
I would love to answer this by saying that I do all my research on location, but I will leave my fiction writing for my novels. While I have spent time at some of the locations I write about, most of my research is done via the internet. Usually, if I’m describing a scene, I will use my imagination. But if I need particulars about a ski trail in Chamonix, France, or a café in Cartagena, Columbia, I pull up Google Maps and can virtually visit and research the details of any location in the world.
With multiple novels involving conspiracies and crime in sports, how do you keep each storyline fresh and original?
The possibilities are endless when you take into account the many types of crimes, different sports, settings, and characters.
What has been the most surprising reaction you’ve received from a reader or critic about your work?
Getting an endorsement from James Patterson was a highlight of my writing career. Receiving praise from him, Clive Cussler, and many other bestselling novelists has been very exciting.
I also love to hear reader’s perspectives. One reaction to The Fix was particularly rewarding. The story is about college football and gambling. A reader explained that I helped him realize his issues and then take action to confront them. Knowing that my writing is not only entertaining, but also can be beneficial is very fulfilling.
What advice would you give to other authors looking to incorporate action, suspense, and real-world themes into their fiction?
Harkening back to the initial question in this interview, I discussed the term “write what you know.” In my case, my passion and experience of sports along with the fact that I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, fuels the action in my writing. But that’s just me. When I need to amp up the action, I’ll throw in a car chase, an explosion, or even something more subtle like a deer or a child running across the road in front of a speeding car causing it to swerve and hit a tree, or another car, or possibly flip and roll down an embankment. These things happen in real life. Use them in your writing.
For suspense, use of tools of the writing trade such as Red Herrings, cliffhangers, and a ticking clock help develop and intensify tension and conflict.
Writing what you know helps you incorporate real-world themes into your story. Be it sports, business, food, or whatever intrigues you, if you know the topic well, it will help your story flow.
