Mark Greaney

Date: 2023-02-16 | Duration: 2h 51m

Episode Overview

Mark Greaney dives into his journey as a prolific thriller author, sharing insights on writing, research, and the transition of his work from page to screen. He reflects on the creation of *The Gray Man* series, revealing how the fourth completed novel unexpectedly became his breakout hit. Greaney discusses the challenges of balancing creative control with Hollywood adaptations, noting his experience with the film version starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans. He also touches on the importance of authentic detail in his books, drawing from extensive research and conversations with military and special operations personnel to portray realism and respect for those communities. The conversation shifts to Greaney’s personal health struggles, including back surgeries and recovery, and how these experiences influence his writing discipline and mental focus. He candidly talks about managing pain, avoiding reliance on medication, and maintaining physical fitness to support his demanding writing schedule. Additionally, Greaney explores the role of audiobook narration and the creative possibilities of audio dramas, highlighting his recent work on an Audible original project. Throughout, he shares candid thoughts on the writing process, imposter syndrome, and the evolving landscape of thriller fiction in a rapidly changing world.

About Mark Greaney

Mark Greaney is a New York Times bestselling author renowned for his thrilling "Gray Man" series, which captivates readers with its high-stakes espionage and gripping action. With a writing career that seamlessly blends his passion for storytelling and a deep understanding of military and intelligence operations, Greaney has garnered acclaim for his meticulously researched narratives. His twelfth installment, "Burner," is set to hit shelves on February 21, 2023, further solidifying his status as a master of the genre. As a guest on the Joe Rogan Experience, Greaney offers unique insights into the world of international intrigue, making him a compelling figure for both literature enthusiasts and fans of action-packed tales alike. For more about his work, visit www.markgreaneybooks.com.

Key Moments

– Thriller Novels
– Book to Film Adaptation
– Writing Process
– Audiobook Production
– Military Special Operations
– Physical Fitness and Recovery
– Pain Management
– Creative Control in Media
– Author Inspiration
– Publishing Industry
– Drug Effects and Usage
– Jellyfish and Shark Attacks
– Navy SEAL Training
– Imposter Syndrome
– Geopolitical Themes
– Book Research Methods
– Mental Health and Anxiety
– Stem Cell Therapy
– Audiobook Narration
– Critical Reviews
0:00:48 – Envisioning scenarios in the mind
0:03:16 – Receiving first book copy from mentor
0:04:24 – Word count expectations for novels
0:05:27 – Choosing actors for film adaptations
0:06:23 – Script development by professional screenwriters
0:10:07 – Time gap between book writing and film release
0:11:37 – Publishing 23 books in 12 years
0:13:01 – Gray Man as fourth completed novel
0:14:21 – Research and revision in writing
0:15:12 – Working at a medical device company
0:17:57 – Stories with uncertain outcomes
0:20:30 – Learning about characters' competence
0:23:15 – Writing influenced by personal experiences
0:26:04 – Minimal negative feedback on writing style
0:28:28 – Accuracy in depicting combat scenarios
0:30:25 – First drafts often needing improvement
0:32:37 – Inspirational writing books discussed
0:34:49 – Diet changes for brain health
0:37:36 – Constantly thinking about next book
0:38:49 – Effects of marijuana on creativity
0:40:09 – Fear of jellyfish sting discussed
0:43:08 – Shark attack survival challenges
0:45:31 – Tactical training and preparation
0:49:19 – Performing surgery under extreme conditions
0:51:11 – Discussion of Tupac shooting
0:52:13 – Reader reactions to violent content
0:56:29 – Criticism and snark in reviews
0:59:16 – Roger Ebert's screenplay criticism
1:02:37 – Value of concise social media commentary
1:06:03 – Encountering online hostility
1:08:58 – Famous people are just regular people
1:12:05 – Time needed to read books
1:19:19 – Casting audiobook narrators
1:22:22 – Creating audio drama with sound effects
1:26:10 – Potential for major geopolitical events
1:31:45 – Multiple Spider-Man film versions
1:34:43 – Experiencing creative control loss
1:37:38 – Character development in writing
1:41:30 – Research trips to military bases
1:44:03 – Writer insecurity and self-doubt
1:46:19 – Traveling internationally for research
1:48:53 – Supplements for neurotransmitter support
1:52:10 – Physical health's impact on energy
1:55:10 – Exercise as stress relief
1:56:26 – Lumbar disc injuries and surgeries
2:00:50 – Stem cell therapy outside US
2:06:04 – Wrestling injuries and recovery
2:09:35 – Injuries influencing writing process
2:11:08 – Painkiller addiction after surgery
2:16:16 – Sauna use linked to mortality reduction
2:19:10 – Discipline and knowledge in athletics
2:24:32 – Overcoming fears through mindset
2:27:49 – Classified information in writing
2:31:06 – Origin story of military characters
2:35:50 – Respect for military and special ops
2:37:36 – Responsibility in portraying special forces
2:40:55 – Involvement in Russiagate discussion
2:44:31 – Feedback loops in autocratic regimes
2:46:52 – Upcoming book release date announced

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 the Joe Rogan experience Starting point is 00:00:31 Good. Starting point is 00:00:48 Like the fact that you have those thoughts in your mind and you can envision and create these scenarios in your brain. Starting point is 00:01:18 So she never complained about anything. Starting point is 00:01:40 Oh, I really love your podcast. Starting point is 00:02:20 They're they're very good when you're suffering. Yeah Starting point is 00:02:56 guy who turned me on. That's fantastic. Because I had read his first book and I was like, this is Starting point is 00:03:16 Little did I know. Starting point is 00:03:34 I hadn't read any of his books. He gave me a copy Starting point is 00:03:52 I appreciate it. Starting point is 00:04:05 And if you're a writer, you want eyeballs on your work. Starting point is 00:04:24 I get 100,000 words to write a book or 150,000 words to write a book. Starting point is 00:04:59 Yeah. Starting point is 00:05:08 It's good. Starting point is 00:05:27 If you could pick a person, like an actor, if you could start from scratch, no disrespect to... Starting point is 00:05:43 Ryan Gosling. Starting point is 00:06:11 And then it fell apart and it came back. Starting point is 00:06:23 So they wrote a script for it. and it was good screenwriters. Starting point is 00:06:40 Oh, my God. Starting point is 00:07:09 And as much as I love her, like I was like, well, this isn't going to sell books or get eyes in my work. Starting point is 00:07:31 Yeah, make it and call it something else. Starting point is 00:07:53 That you wouldn't expect, you know, in a big action film. Starting point is 00:08:20 How does he keep these perishable skills and his fitness up? Starting point is 00:08:56 If that guy's in a movie, you could say, oh, I think I've seen that guy in something before, but he's court gentry. Starting point is 00:09:31 But I think if you have a movie that has an amazing plot and a great like trailer and Starting point is 00:10:07 Li...

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Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1942?

Mark Greaney was the guest on JRE #1942. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1942?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1942 with Mark Greaney, topics include Thriller Novels, Book to Film Adaptation, Writing Process, and Audiobook Production.

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The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1942 with Mark Greaney is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.