Dot Dead: A Silicon Valley Mystery | Keith Raffel | Talks at Google | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Keith Raffle, author of "Dot Dead," discusses his transition from working in Silicon Valley to becoming a full-time mystery writer.

Key Insights

• 👻 Raffle immerses himself in the first-person perspective of his protagonist, allowing him to become the character and further engage readers.
• 🤲 The author discusses the similarities between starting a company and getting a book published, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in both endeavors.
• 🏑 Raffle highlights the generosity of experienced writers and entrepreneurs who support newcomers in their respective fields.
• ✍️ He touches on the messages he aims to convey through his writing, including the notion that one's self-worth should not solely be measured by financial success.
• 🤑 Raffle celebrates the mystery genre's ability to capture the essence of Silicon Valley, exploring themes of ambition, money, and greed in the tech world.
• 🤑 Despite the changes in Silicon Valley, Raffle believes it remains a great setting for mysteries, offering a rich culture for cultivating stories.
• 🧑 The author acknowledges the debate between writing in the first person versus the third person, noting that both approaches have their merits.

Transcript

uh today I'm Curtis with the authors of Google program and today we're pleased to welcome Keith raffle uh you have his book Dead which is uh Keith's first mystery it's not surprising that he said a book in California Silicon Valley nor that he knows the culture so well he spent 20 years working here for High-Tech companies big and small and actuall... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How long did it take you to write "Dot Dead"?

Raffle wrote the book sporadically over a period of about eight years, often putting it aside due to other commitments. It was a lengthy and intermittent process.

Q: What inspired you to become a writer?

Raffle did not always know he wanted to be a writer and had a varied career before pursuing writing full-time. He took a mystery writing course and discovered his passion for storytelling.

Q: Why did you choose to set your mystery novel in Silicon Valley?

Growing up and working in Silicon Valley, Raffle wanted to encapsulate the culture and changes he witnessed in the area. He believes Silicon Valley provides a great backdrop for mysteries due to the themes of ambition, greed, and money prevalent in the tech world.

Q: How do you balance working on a series if your first book is successful?

Raffle suggests that rather than aiming for a long series, it may be more feasible to write a few books set in Silicon Valley. He encourages aspiring writers to consider writing mysteries in this location to tap into the area's unique culture and themes.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Keith Raffle grew up in Palo Alto, worked in Silicon Valley for 20 years, and now lives in the same area. His first mystery novel, "Dot Dead," is set in California's Silicon Valley.

• Raffle discusses his varied career, including stints as a carpenter, history teacher, US Senate staffer, entrepreneur, and finally, a full-time author.

• He explains how writing became his main focus, the challenges of writing his first book, and the inspiration behind his mystery novel.