Tom Clancy, whose complex, adrenaline-fueled military novels spawned a new genre of thrillers and made him one of the world’s best-known and best-selling authors, died on 1 October. He was 66. As reported in the NYT/IHT.
His debut book, “The Hunt for Red October,” was frequently cited as one of the greatest genre novels ever written (publication in 1984). He followed “The Hunt for Red October” with “Red Storm Rising” in 1986, “Patriot Games” in 1987, “The Cardinal of the Kremlin” in 1988 and “Clear and Present Danger” in 1989.
He said none of his success came easily, and he would remind aspiring writers of that when he spoke to them:

 “I tell them you learn to write the same way you learn to play golf. You do it, and keep doing it until you get it right. A lot of people think something mystical happens to you, that maybe the muse kisses you on the ear. But writing isn’t divinely inspired — it’s hard work.”

Now for me as a new author, wise words.