Interview

Circle of Books Interviews

Author Connie di Marco

– When did you start writing novels, what moved you to start writing?

I’ve always been a huge fan of mysteries and thrillers for as long as I can remember. I began, like many other authors, with Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden, then moved on to the Golden Age classics, Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers and many others, and eventually more current authors. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever write a mystery myself. I worked as an actress for many years, mostly in television, and at some point I became creatively frustrated. Not frustrated with the craft, which is endlessly fascinating, but frustrated with the limitations of most roles. I had a passing thought it might be fun to write a mystery – just one – and perhaps even find a publisher. That’s how it all started. No one was more surprised than I that I would be offered a contract for several books or that I would still be writing today.

– In what genres do you write? Do you plan writing in other genres?

Honestly, I’m only interested in writing crime fiction. I think the psychology of both victims and murderers is worth studying. What would drive an ordinary person to commit the most heinous of acts? Is it love or money, betrayal, a desire for revenge, a belief they must murder in order to survive? The possibilities and permutations are endless.

– Tell us about your novels. Why should everyone buy them?

Well, at the risk of tooting my own horn, I think my books are entertaining stories. I don’t think any mystery lover would be disappointed.

– What is your all time favorite novel/book? What makes it special?

I can’t name just one book. I think more about authors who have inspired me and captivated my imagination in some way. Sue Grafton is one author I’ve admired. I love the Saudi Arabia series by Zoe Ferraris. I’ve recently discovered Jake Needham. And I particularly love foreign writers, like Liza Marklund or Jussi Adler-Olsen. I’m a big fan of Scandinavian noir. My tastes are very eclectic.

– Tell us a bit about your writing process.

My very first editor requested a detailed outline. That was a surprise because I expected she would ask for a synopsis before I turned in the manuscript. That was the best discipline I could have learned. Writing an outline really brought home how important structure is, especially in a traditional mystery. Now I always create an outline before I begin to write. Images and scenes may come to me, and I jot them down, but having an outline to work from is a road map. I may take detours or make changes, but I never get lost.

– What author would you love to have dinner with?

I think I’d have to say Jason Goodwin, the author of the Istanbul series featuring his late-Ottoman Empire eunuch detective Yashim. These are incredibly rich stories and Yashim cooks many exotic meals in these books. Hopefully Yashim would join us and cook for us.

– Tell us about your hobbies and passions other than writing.

Once I began to write and was published, I found I didn’t have much time for hobbies or passions! I hope to get back to a more balanced life soon though. I love antique furniture and one of the things I’ve always enjoyed doing was refinishing an old piece of furniture. Stripping off years of paint and varnish, sanding and cleaning and re-finishing something to bring it back to its original beauty.

– We have many followers who would like to start writing a book or are already writing their first novel, any advice for these brave people?

Keep at it. It’s easy to become discouraged and give up on a manuscript, but don’t do it. Believe in your dream and finish the book. Once you have a first draft, no matter how messy, you will have something to work with and revise. Then make sure you get good editorial advice from a writing group or a professional editor.

– How often do you write, daily, every other day or?

I like to write every day for a few hours. It’s easier to keep the story fresh in my mind that way. All writers have to spend a lot of time marketing in any way they can, but it’s important to keep chipping away at your opus.

– Do you keep a notebook with ideas for your books? If so do you carry the notebook with you so you won’t forget any ideas?

I tend to jot down notes on any piece of paper I can find when a good idea comes to me. I’m afraid if I don’t, I’ll forget. I do keep a folder full of ideas – these can be notes, news articles, something I’ve stumbled upon on the internet, anything that captures my imagination. Plots can come from any place.

– How important is it to have your facts right and are there any instances when you bend history to fit your story?

I’m more likely to take historical facts or events and use them to create fiction. However, research is important in crime writing, whether is knowing how time of death is calculated, blood spatter evidence, effects of poisons. No matter the story, there’s always something to be researched in an attempt to ‘get it right.’

– What are you reading at the moment?

Right now I’m reading a Donna Leon book, her 28^th, I believe. Unto Us a Son is Given, set in Venice with the wonderful Commissario Brunetti. I haven’t read one of her books for some time and I’m enjoying returning to this series.

– How is it to be an author in your country? Do you have a good support from the local public?

I think all authors face the same roadblocks and difficulties. Whether it’s finding an agent or a publisher, or self-publishing and marketing, there isn’t one writer I know who hasn’t struggled in some fashion to reach their reading public. I’m a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, also International Thriller Writers. I live in Los Angeles and my local MWA group is very supportive. Without that encouragement from other writers, and readers, it would be a very lonely journey indeed.

– Certainly you have had some interesting episodes as an author, fans related or others, share one of them with us.

The most stunning memory I have is the very first Bouchercon I attended in Cleveland, Ohio. I was amazed that more than 300 people crowded into a large auditorium to hear me and three other authors speak on a panel. I thought, how could anyone find what I had to say so interesting? It was an eye-opening experience to realize a large percentage of the population is just as crazy for mysteries as I.

– A final message for our circleofbooks.com readers.

Keep reading and keep writing! Both are very rewarding journeys.

Thank you Connie di Marco. We at circleofbooks.com wish you much success!

Click here to visit the author page here on Circle of Books.