A look behind the scenes: The Rule of Threes

I’m doing something a little different today—instead of a regular blog post, here’s an FAQ about my new project, The Rule of Threes.

Q1. Where did the Rule of Threes idea come from?

The title comes from the survivalist mantra: three minutes without air, three hours without shelter, and three days without water. I chose it because there are three main characters in this book—Jackson, Eva, and Andrea Patton—hence, The Rule of Threes.

Q2. Where did you get the plot for The Rule of Threes?

The story had been brewing in my mind for a while. I wanted to set a novel in places I know well and have fun twisting them into a desperate survival scenario. Jackson’s role as a security analyst at a game company stems directly from my own experience as a project manager working with security teams in a school district.

Q3. Which scene was the hardest to write, and why?

The toughest moment so far is when our protagonists march down a street, firing on retreating enemies. You’re probably thinking, “But, Grover, that doesn’t sound very heroic.” Trust me—if you knew who they were up against, you’d do the same. Writing it forced me back into the boots I hung up over a decade ago: the metallic tang of adrenaline, the thunder of each heartbeat, and the weight of every decision as a shot rang out.

Q4. What writing tools or software did you use to keep the book organized?

I still love my old whiteboard for mapping plot threads and character arcs. Lately, I’ve also used OneNote to jot down everything—children’s names for Eva and Andrea, whether they say “Momma” or “Mommy,” supply lists, and critical details I’ll need later. I draft in Microsoft Office, and I quickly jot down ideas in a private Discord server so I can find them in seconds.

Q5. Did you have a specific playlist or soundtrack for those high-tension scenes?

Honestly? Only the ringing in my ears—tinnitus is a special kind of torture. To cope, I streamed brown noise videos on YouTube through my hearing aids. The low hum blocked out distractions and drowned the tinnitus, leaving me with nothing but that steady vibration to focus on.

Q6. How do you avoid writer’s block when juggling multiple POVs?

I don’t avoid it; I lean into it. Often I have to reread chapters—or sometimes the entire draft—to re-immerse myself in the plot. I keep outlines, but sometimes my characters ignore them and strike out on their own. I plan one path, and they surprise me. I’m simply the Watcher.

Q7. What’s one writer confession you’ll admit about this book?

I designed the antagonist to be the most beautiful woman imaginable, then twisted her into an utterly horrific monster. I want readers to love to hate her—even understand why she does what she does—yet recoil in terror when she steps into a scene.

Q8. Which real-world location or scenario inspired the setting for the book?

The opening takes place in the area where I live. I’ve taken creative liberties with the layout, of course, but there’s no better backdrop than a place you know down to its last streetlight.

Q9. How do you plan to develop these three character arcs in future books?

Jackson, Eva, and Andrea will carry the weight of their choices from this novel into the next. They’ll wrestle with new demons born from their actions, and their experiences here will redefine how they live—and how they love—in the sequels. Expect their arcs to blend moments of growth and moments of descent, shaped by the horrors they endure.

Q10. If you could give one piece of advice to writers attempting multi-thread narratives, what would it be?

Keep meticulous notes. I can’t tell you how many times I confused Eva and Andrea’s actions—or forgot which one had the dog—and had to rewrite entire chapters! Continuity is the most formidable challenge. The more organized your notes, the smoother your story will flow.

And thanks for coming to my TED Talk!

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