There is a real connection between Philosopy and fiction.
Why do you have to be the same as the others? ...Most of them are stupid.
Thrillers have been traditionally very masculine books; the women characters often rather decorative.
Fear could paralyse. Action was the antidote.
Trusting someone was like holding a little water in your cupped hands - it was so easy to spill the water, and you could never get it back.
I like reading history, and actually most authors enjoy the research part because it is, after all, easier than writing.