I’ve always been a fan of La Femme Nikita – it was a good film for its day and a great character (who doesn’t like Luc Besson’s creativity?) – and I’ve even enjoyed the many spin-off versions that the film spawned. I think the concept is very cool. The idea of a femme female capable of agility and danger in a physical manner, as well as psychological, is hot. Sorry – really no other way to put it – at its most basic, the concept is hot and appealing to both men and women (for different reasons obviously). It’s the old adage – women want to BE her and men want to be WITH her.

It’s the conflicting image portrayal that’s so attractive – it also works so well as a character in terms of danger or a thriller, simply because it’s the femininity that implies a certain type of approach to such an occupation, perhaps even a conscience – it becomes a jolt when all of that goes out the window and this vision is able to create so much damage easily and expertly – and it’s realistic in terms of the mark’s reaction – no one could ever expect such a formidable enforcer in such a package. Initially, it’s very valid to think she would never be taken seriously. It’s laughable, until the aftermath.

So, this is where I started for my first novel. I’m very motivated by film and television, and initially wanted to write books that unfold easily and quickly, just as a film would. I love the commercial easy-read that you just can’t put down and you tend to mow through. This is a great quote by author Joy Fielding made to The Toronto Star in 08 – “I might not write fiction in the literary sense. But I write very well. My characters are good….and my stories are really involving. I’m writing exactly….the kind of books I like to read. They’re popular commercial fiction, that’s what they are.”   Well said joy!!