An Interview with the Author

By Brenda Weeaks

Brenda Weeaks: Hello Carolyn, welcome to MyShelf.Com. I have been a fan of your work for years.

Carolyn Hart: Thank you very much. I love writing and it is wonderful readers who make it possible for me to be a writer. I am profoundly grateful.

 

Brenda: Let’s go back to when you first began writing. Could you tell the readers how you first got into writing and about the first book you had published?

Carolyn: I studied journalism and was a reporter right after college. When I married and had children, I didn't want to return to newspapering because of the long hours. I'd always loved mysteries and remembered beginning with Nancy Drew. I saw a contest in The Writer Magazine for a book for girls ages 8 to 12. I decided to give it a try. The Secret of the Cellars won the contest and was published in 1964. It was my first book. April Fool Dead this spring is my 33rd.

 

Brenda: Can you remember when you realized your name and work sought attention?

Carolyn: It came as a huge and lovely surprise. Death on Demand, which was my 14th published mystery, was nominated for an Anthony for Best First Novel. That shows that my previous books had had no audience. So Book # 14 was the first to receive any attention.

 

Brenda: Most new writers pay over due bills or do something whimsical their first book advance. Me, I would move to a town with sidewalks and a bookstore. Were you serious or whimsical with your first advance? Can you elaborate?

Carolyn: My first earnings came during our lean years when we were first married. The money went into the common pot and was used for whatever we needed.

 

Brenda: How do you handle negative reviews or remarks about your work compared to when you first started writing?

Carolyn: Negative reviews were devastating when I first began. Now I pay no attention. I do not write for reviewers, I write for readers.

 

Brenda: Most authors have been known to take their titles from the storyline. Which come first for you -- the storyline or the title?

Carolyn: The title. I must have a working title before I begin a book. For example, my working title for the most recent Annie and Max - APRIL FOOL DEAD - was WHODUNIT DEAD. I still like that title best but my editor didn't care for it.

 

Brenda: What is the most unusual title you have come up with and not used?

Carolyn: Usually the working title is used. I don't recall any particular title that wasn't used.

 

About the Death On Demand series

Brenda: Where did the idea of the mystery bookstore and Annie come from?

Carolyn: I visited Murder by the Book in Houston, Texas in 1985 and that gave me the idea for setting a mystery in a mystery bookstore. Annie is very much patterned after my daughter Sarah, sweet and kind and energetic and always trying to do her best. Sarah has a fabulous sense of humor.

 

Brenda: Whenever I read a new installment of the book, I get the impression that you enjoy the bookstore scenes. Is the DOD store really your way of dealing with a hidden desire to run a mystery store of your own?

Carolyn: To be honest, I have no desire to run a bookstore. I think it would be exceedingly hard work and my idea of fun is resting in a hammock with a new mystery. What I do love is the mystery. I love talking about mysteries and remembering wonderful mysteries.

 

Brenda: After Sugarplum Dead, a new member is added to the Darling household. Is adding Rachel a way of bringing a young person in series without going through the pregnancy/baby storyline? Or are you contemplating a baby Darling later in the series?

Carolyn: You are very perceptive. Yes to the first and no to the second. I know that Annie and Max someday will have a beautiful blond daughter named MaxAnna, but while I am recording their adventures, they will always be young and happy and free of responsibility on their lovely sea island.

 

Brenda: In April Fool’s Dead is the mystery author taken from many authors you know, just one, or is she completely made up?

Carolyn: Hmmm, who's to say. I don't smoke or drink gin (or anything else), but Emma is a gruff version of me and her thoughts about writing reflect the actual process.

 

Brenda: In the DoD series, Laurel is my favorite character because I am basically a serious person, yet I tend to gravitate toward humor in life and in my writing. Who is your favorite lead, secondary or evil character and why?

Carolyn: Laurel. I have so much fun with Laurel. I am currently at work on a novella starring Laurel. It will be included in a Mother's Day anthology that HarperCollins will publish next spring.

 

Brenda: In the DoD series, other mysteries and authors are generously mentioned. I have a few questions about this. Have you ever heard from any of the authors you have mentioned?

Carolyn: Occasionally. They think it's fun.

 

Brenda: Have you ever been corrected or had requests to include certain titles or authors?

Carolyn: I've never been asked to include anyone. Sometimes I make mistakes. In April Fool Dead, I had a mind glitch and mentioned the wrong title as Mary Daheim's first in the B&B series. I am appalled because I know better and Mary is a good friend but she just laughed.

 

Brenda: Have you read the titles you mention or do you just look them up as need?

Carolyn: Most of the books I have read. If not, I am familiar with them through mystery sources.

 

Brenda: I recognized most of the titles, but have you ever slipped in some fake ones?

Carolyn: Only Emma Clyde's titles and I think also the books by the author character in The Christie Caper.

 

Brenda: The watercolor contest in DoD is ingenious. I enjoy reading and contemplating the descriptions. I have actually gotten some right. I look forward to discovering the mystery titles of the watercolors at the end of the book as well as the out come of the mystery.

Carolyn: I enjoy doing the watercolors. I decide what kind of books and reread all the titles before describing them.

 

Brenda: How you decide which books to use in for the watercolor contest?

Carolyn: Books I like.

 

Brenda: Have you ever slipped a phony or two in there to see if mystery buffs are paying attention?

Carolyn: No. I make enough enough mistakes without confusing all of us.

 

About the Henry O. series

Brenda: I haven’t read the Henry O. series, but I did see a movie from the series starring the Barbara Eden. It carried a definite cozy theme and the only scary scene I can recall was William Shatner in a bathing suit! Please tell us about the series.

Carolyn: Henrietta O'Dwyer (Henrie O) Collins is my answer to ageism. She is an older woman who has a taste for adventure and a talent for trouble. Although I always explain that Henrie O is taller, thinner, smarter and braver than I, she is the author.

 

Brenda: About the movie, how many are there?

Carolyn: Only the one.

 

Brenda: Did you take an active part in the making of the movie?

Carolyn: No. We had a chance to see some of the filming and that was lots of fun.

 

Brenda: Are there any more television movies in the works for either of your series?

Carolyn: No. I rather doubt it will happen. Hollywood isn't interested in older characters and I'm afraid Annie and Max are too wholesome.

 

Brenda: Will there be more of Henry O. or are you through with the series?

Carolyn: I'm uncertain. I will be talking to my editor about that soon.

 

About Your Mysteries

Brenda: Are you happy with the direction your mystery series have taken?

Carolyn: Oh yes. I've enjoyed both.

 

Brenda: Once a book has been published do you ever wish you had included or left out something or someone?

Carolyn: No. I don't go in for second guessing. What's done is done.

 

Brenda: Which characters do you find the hardest to evolve as a series grows -- the serious or lighthearted ones?

Carolyn: Both are a challenge.

 

Brenda: Do family members read your series and comment to you about them?

Carolyn: My family has always been incredibly supportive. They love the books and I love them.

 

About Writing and Publishing

Brenda: I once read that Lucy Maud Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables) chose Anne’s character from a real life experience she had scribbled down and hid in a secret place. Do you have a way of collecting story ideas? And have you ever taken any ideas from the headlines?

Carolyn: Ideas come from everywhere and often a news story will prompt a book.

 

Brenda: I once heard you speaking to a couple of young writers – you were generous in your knowledge and gave them some advice. One piece of advice was “write what you know.” Can you give the budding writers reading this interview some advice on getting published?

Carolyn: Never give up. Write the best book you can write then hunt for an agent. While the agent offers the book, start the next one.

 

Brenda: Do you agree with Tom Clancy that getting published is part luck?

Carolyn: Very much so.

 

About You and Reading

Brenda: What are your reading preferences in books, magazines, and newspapers.

Carolyn: Mysteries. Local newspaper. Wall Street Journal. The Island Packet. (Hilton Head)

 

Brenda: When you walk into a bookstore, what is the first section you go to?

Carolyn: Mystery.

 

Brenda: After 9/11/2002 I went to my bookshelf for comfort. What did you do? If reading was a comfort, what did you lean to the most?

Carolyn: Patricia Wentworth. I read at least 15 of her titles.

 

Brenda: What is your strangest or funniest book signing story?

Carolyn: My signings have all been very pleasant.

 

Brenda: I recall you mentioning a Historical Mystery at one of your book signings. Can you tell us about it and when it will be available?

Carolyn: Letter From Home is the story of Gretchen Gilman in the summer of 1944. Gretchen is working on her hometown newspaper. A murder occurs on the street where she lives. The book tells the effect of that crime on her life and on the town. It has been bought by Berkley and I don't know the pub date yet.

 

Brenda: Carolyn you have been a good sport! Thank you for the interview via email. Let’s close by telling readers where they can find you site and contact you.

Carolyn: My site is www.CarolynHart.com and there is a place to email me there.

Thanks for inviting me to be a part of your site. And thanks for liking the books. Best regards - Carolyn

Note:

Wentworth's titles can be found at Amazon.Com

The Island Packet. (Hilton Head)

The Wall Street Journal