What
genre do you write and why?
Suspense
is my main genre. I think suspense/dark mysteries/crime novels reflect the
basic human condition: the struggle to survive. We all relate to this struggle
because, at some point, each of us face life-threatening threats in some form.
Tell
us about your latest book.
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| http://amzn.to/2iuViYk |
CHILD’S PLAY is the story of a second grade teacher,
Elle Harrison, who is about to start a new school year. One of her former
students, Ty Evans, has just been released from juvenile detention where he’s
served eight years for the murder of his father. Soon, people with whom Ty has
grudges are brutally murdered. Ty reappears in Elle’s life, and soon she
herself is attacked. She fears for her life and eventually has to confront the
killer in the ultimate struggle. That’s the main plot line.
CHILD’S PLAY is a gripping read, but it’s about a lot more than the
mystery. For example, it looks at Elle’s attempt to recover from loss. Elle is
trying to sell the house she shared with her husband who died two years before.
Even as a killer closes in, Elle is coping with saying goodbye to her home and
trying to control an annoyingly aggressive real estate agent.
Another theme involves Elle’s strong group of supportive women friends.
This group sharply contrasts with a group of young girls composed of Elle’s
former students. The importance, influence, and both positive and negative effects
of female friendships play a big part in the book.
By placing murders in a school and the surrounding neighborhood, CHILD’S
PLAY looks not just at murders, but also at how the murderer developed within a
community and family. CHILD’S PLAY is a story of peer pressure, child abuse,
juvenile justice, and the often difficult roles teachers play in the lives of
their students.
What
marketing methods are you using to promote your book?
Oh man. SO many methods because, for me, marketing is a bigger challenge
than writing the book. So I’m doing interviews like this one. And writing a
bunch of guest blogs. I’ve scheduled podcast interviews and bookstore signings.
I’m sending out my newsletter with a contest to win free books. There’s a
Goodreads giveaway. I sent a post card promotion to hundreds of indie book
stores. A Thunderclap announcement of CHILD’S PLAY’s release will reach about
400,000 people. Also, I’m speaking to groups—anywhere I can, including book
clubs, conferences and bars. I’m participating in ITW’s author’s promotion opportunities,
promoting on my website and Facebook and Twitter. Etcetera. It’s a never-ending
effort.
What
formats is the book available in?
Trade paper and ebook.
What
advice do you have for other writers?
Keep writing. That’s it, really. Don’t give up. Don’t get discouraged if
you get stuck or face rejections. Keep going. If you’re a writer, you have no
choice. Stories are inside you, nagging you to let them out. Your characters
want to come to life on paper. Your plots want to unfold. So do it. Write it. A
little at a time, consistently, every day if you can. Hone your craft. Develop
your voice. Keep at it.
What's
the best thing about being a writer?
There are so many—Losing myself in the writing process so I don’t know
what time it is. Or reading back something I’ve written and being surprised
that I like it. Holding a copy of my published book and feeling it in my hand.
But if I have to pick just one, I’d say that the best thing is connecting
with readers. For me a book isn’t completely finished until it is read. I can do
my part by putting the words on paper and finding a publisher. But only when
somebody reads the book and reacts to it do I feel a sense of completion. Even
complaints satisfy me. Because if someone complains about, say, a character or
a plot twist, I know that someone has been affected enough to bother to
complain. Of course I prefer praise to complaints. But I write for readers. So
the best thing is learning that my work has reached them. Then I’m finally
finished, and I feel a sense of accomplishment.
How long did it take you to write your book?
About nine months. I’ve written some in
six months to meet deadlines, and that was brutal. Nine months is intense. A
year would be comfortable.
How do you research your books?
Each book is different and requires different
methods. Over the years, I’ve had to learn about sleep disorders, pre-Colombian
religion, brain injuries, archeological digs, PTSD, human trafficking, dog
fighting, drug trials for medical research—and a host of other topics. To learn
about settings, I’ve traveled to upstate New York, a state forest in
Pennsylvania, Israel and Mexico.
I begin each book by reading up on the subject
matter. For CHILD’S PLAY, I read about child development, second grade
curricula, seven-year-olds, child abuse, juvenile detention, real estate, peer
pressure. When I’d made a bunch of notes from reading articles and other
reliable sources, I interviewed a former prison guard, a child development
expert, a psychologist and a teacher. I visited locations on the Main Line (near
Philadelphia) where the book is set.
In general, my research begins broad with articles
on the general subject matter. Then I zero in with more specific questions,
talking to experts and traveling to locations.
What is your work in progress? Tell us about it.
I’m trying to write a novel in a different genre.
Not suspense, but contemporary women’s fiction. After a dozen or more suspense
novels, I thought I’d do something different by writing a crimeless book that
focused on relationships.
I made it to page 89. That’s where the first murder
happens. And it’s clear that there will be more before the end. I intended to
write a novel where the stakes were lower and the mood less dark. But no. My
characters didn’t cooperate. One got mad and killed another. Maybe I’ll manage
to go crimeless next time.
Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
I always made up stories, even as a
young child. My family encouraged this. Also, my early teachers—in second and
third grade. My fifth grade teacher entered a story I wrote into a national
contest and I received a letter of commendation. That spurred me on. So it’s
not a single “who,” but a consistent environment of encouraging people. I don’t
know where the initial drive to write came from, though. It was always just
there from my earliest memories.
When you’re not writing, how do you spend your
time?
Whenever the weather permits, you’ll find me on the Schuylkill River,
sculling. I love to row in my single shell or with my husband or one of my
daughters in a double. Rowing is great exercise, and being on the water with
the turtles, egrets, cormorants, ducks and geese is extremely peaceful. The
sport requires focus, as each stroke consists of a sequence of precise
movements to be performed in ever-changing conditions of water and wind. Sculling
helps my concentration as well as my physical health. It revitalizes me,
improves my mood, gives me a break from the demands of daily life and the
worries of the world. Also, it’s fun.
Other than that, I try to spend time with my family. One daughter is
getting married this spring. I never imagined how much time preparations would
take.
And I spend a significant amount of time with the Philadephia area
writing community. I co-host free writers’ coffeehouses with the Philadelphia
branch of the Liars Club. And I co-host a Liars Club podcast. I participate
Noir at the Bar readings whenever I can. Etcetera. We have a lot of talent in
the area, and I love connecting with other writers.
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2 Comments
Fantastic interview. I found it interesting as to the research of this book especially since I read it and really enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the interview! I enjoyed thinking about your questions and appreciate your featuring CHILD'S PLAY!
ReplyDeleteI love to hear from you. So feel free to comment, but keep in mind the basics of blog etiquette — no spam, no profanity, no slander, etc.
Thanks for being an active part of the Writers and Authors community.