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November 20, 2009
Every summer, my husband and I take the boys to our favorite
destination, Charleston, SC. With each visit, we discover another
facet of the Holy City that we never knew existed. Without a doubt,
our most memorable tour was in Charleston’s Haunted Historic
District. Lurking in one of the country’s oldest graveyards after
dark in search of ghostly beings is an indescribable experience.
Even if we hadn’t entertained the idea of them existing before,
afterwards we were true believers!
This month’s Jen’s Jewels
Carolyn Hart knows exactly what I am talking about. In her latest
release
MERRY, MERRY GHOST she continues her highly popular
Bailey Ruth Series incorporating the holiday season with ghostly
beings. A delightful mystery perfect for this time of year, her
jolly good cheer brings much joy to her many devoted fans.
As part of this interview,
William Morrow has generously donated five copies for
you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to check for the
trivia question at the end. And without a doubt, thanks for making
Jen’s Jewels a part of your holiday season! |
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Jen: As a child, you were nipped by the “writing
bug” at the young age of eleven. Since then, you have become an
award-winning mystery writer as well as a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
nominee. So that my readers may have a better understanding of the path that
led to your stellar career, please tell us about your educational and
professional background.
Carolyn: I was a child during WWII and I quickly
realized the importance of newspapers. We received most of our news from the
newspapers or radio. I decided to be a reporter when I grew up. I worked on
school newspapers and majored in journalism at the University of Oklahoma. I
never thought about being anything other than being a reporter, but a funny
thing happened on the way to the newsroom. I married a law student. I worked
on the Norman Transcript while he was in law school. After his graduation
and the arrival of our children, I decided not to go back to work as a
reporter. That was when I first thought about writing fiction. I saw a
contest for a mystery for girls 8 to 12. I loved Nancy Drew and I decided to
write a book. The Secret of the Cellars won the contest. It was my first
published book. My 43rd published book is the just released
MERRY, MERRY GHOST.
Jen: When you first launched your career back in
1964, you began by writing teenage and young adult mysteries. From there,
you went on to write some non-series books. Describe for us what it was like
for a woman in the publishing business during that time in terms of
establishing a career as a mystery writer. What was the most challenging
part of the process?
Carolyn: I was a writer working in isolation in
Oklahoma. I had no knowledge of New York publishing. At that time, New York
publishing houses believed there were two kinds of mysteries,
the hard-boiled private eye books written by American men with male
protagonists, and the traditional mystery written by dead English ladies.
There was no room in this publishing world for mysteries by American women.
In the mid 1980s, the private eye books written by Marcia Muller, Sara
Paretsky, and Sue Grafton were published. New York bought the books because
they fit the concept of the American mystery even though written by women
with women protagonists. The success of these books persuaded New York
publishers that readers were interested in books by American women with
women protagonists. That opened the window of opportunity for me and many
other women writers.
Jen: Now let’s fast-forward to 1987 with your first
commercially successful series called
DEATH ON DEMAND. How did the series evolve?
Carolyn: I was a discouraged writer. In 1985, I
had written seven books in seven years and at that time none of them had
sold. I decided to try one more time. I wrote the kind of book I love to
read, the traditional mystery that celebrates goodness and justice. I had no
hope the book would sell so I simply had fun. I created a young couple who
truly loved each other. That wasn't fashionable in books then. Often a woman
protagonist had no relationship with a man or she was involved in a
dysfunctional relationship. I didn't think it had to be that way. I am not
romantic, but I believe in love. Annie and Max understand how to love. They
are young, enthusiastic, and genuine. I set Death on Demand in a mystery
bookstore because I revere mysteries. I wanted through Annie to share my joy
in books that celebrate goodness. I set
DEATH ON DEMAND on a fictional version of Hilton Head Island.
We started vacationing there in the mid 1970s. I love the South Carolina
lowcountry. In my view, anything can happen in a land where Spanish moss
quivers from the limbs of live oaks and alligators rest on the banks of
lagoons. To my great joy, readers liked Annie and Max and their idyllic sea
island. Annie and Max will embark on their 20th adventure in
LAUGHED 'TIL HE DIED (April 2010).
Jen: In the early 90’s, you began your next series
called HENRIE O. Please describe for us its premise as well as
its unique appeal.
Carolyn: Henrietta O'Dwyer (Henrie O) Collins is
a retired newspaper reporter, a smart, capable, sophisticated woman who has
known joy and sorrow and roamed the world. She is my tribute to older
American women who are often dismissed as negligible by our culture. Henrie
O expects to be treated with respect. I have always explained that Henrie O
is taller, smarter, and braver than I, but she very much reflects my
attitudes and interests.
Jen: Your latest endeavor is the BAILEY RUTH
RAEBURN mystery series which mixes the supernatural with murder!
Quite a novel concept! This month, the second title called
MERRY, MERRY GHOST hits bookstores. For those readers
unfamiliar with the premise of the series, please give us some background
including a description of the quirky Bailey Ruth Raeburn.
Carolyn: I grew up loving the Topper books
and movies. Blithe Spirit is one of the most delightful plays ever created.
I love good-humored, fun ghost stories. For many years, I toyed with the
idea of a novel with a ghost. In fact, I touched a bit upon ghosts in
Southern Ghost in the DEATH
ON DEMAND series. A few years ago, I told my editor I wanted
to do a ghost book. This was before the explosion in paranormal publishing
so I wasn't trying to be part of a trend. My editor encouraged me. I started
thinking about ghosts. Who was my ghost? Someone who had died. Where was
she? In Heaven. I thought about Heaven and suddenly a fun, energetic, lively
redhead came swinging around a cumulous cloud. She was Bailey Ruth Raeburn.
The name came to me immediately. I looked at Bailey Ruth with interest.
Where was she going? To The Department of Good Intentions. What was that? I
followed her around a curve and up to an old-fashioned train station and I
learned that the Department of Good Intentions dispatched emissaries to
return to earth to help people in trouble. That was my introduction to
Bailey Ruth, who never met a rule she wouldn't ignore and who has a heart as
big as Texas.
Jen: In
MERRY, MERRY GHOST, Bailey must find out who murdered a rich
dowager. Of course, the plot thickens with the arrival of an unexpected
heir. Let’s start by talking about the supporting characters. Susan, the
old woman, has no family until her grandson shows up on her front porch.
How does his arrival breathe new life into her soul?
Carolyn: Susan Flynn has known great heartbreak
in her life, the death of a beloved daughter, a son who has been missing for
some years. She is widowed. Her health is failing. She has nothing to live
for. Everyone she has loved the most is gone from her. Those around her,
some of whom are kind and supportive, are the relatives of her late husband.
She has no family of her own. When Keith, the little four-year-old boy, is
left on the front porch of her home shortly before Christmas, she discovers
he is her grandson. His father, Susan's son, was killed in Iraq. Keith's
mother died from pneumonia. Susan's joy in Keith makes Christmas once again
a cherished holiday.
Jen: Her sister-in-law Jake stands to inherit the
family estate upon Susan’s death. Their relationship seems quite strained.
What is the cause behind the tension? Is it jealousy?
Carolyn: Jake is very fond of Susan and has
always been kind to her. Since Susan's illness, Jake has served as
mistress of Susan's stately home, Pritchard house. Susan appreciates Jake
and has made it clear that Jake will inherit the house. Jake has enormous
pride of possession in the house. The possibility that Susan will change her
will and leave her estate to Keith shocks and upsets Jake.
Jen: Besides the obvious familial connection, how
are these two women similar? Who is the stronger person and why?
Carolyn: I don't see them as very similar. Susan
has always been confident, her status assured because she is a Pritchard.
Jake had to scramble for security. The house matters more to her because
she spent so many years beholden to Susan and her husband for support. Susan
takes her wealth and position for granted. She automatically assumes
leadership.
Jen: Jake’s daughter Peg is the not only the
peacemaker of the family but also the strong-willed daughter who stands up
for what she believes. Why then does she allow her boyfriend Dave to walk
all over her?
Carolyn: Dave is one of the golden young men who
have great charm. Peg was flattered that he cared for her though it becomes
increasingly clear that Dave's interest depends upon whether Peg can further
his career and ambitions through her connection to Susan. At first Peg is
shocked when he begins to reveal his true nature. When she understands, she
chooses the right path over pleasing Dave.
Jen: Police Chief Sam Cobb is the only character
privy to existence of Bailey, the celestial-being, although he is not quite
certain what to make of her. Why does he so readily accept her “help” along
the way in the solving of the murder case? And, at some point will he choose
to confide in someone as to where he receives his tips? Why or why not?
Carolyn: Sam Cobb is old enough to know that there
is more to this world than we can always readily explain. He first
encountered Bailey Ruth in GHOST AT WORK so her
appearance in the events at Pritchard House does not come as a complete
shock. He may wonder why he is visited by a helpful ghost, but he is willing
to take assistance where he finds it. I don't know whether he will ever
share this knowledge.
Jen: Finally, as for Bailey herself, it seems a
challenge for her to remain unseen due to the fact that she is in her
hometown. Do you think her being a ghost is a blessing or a hindrance, and
why so?
Carolyn: Definitely, her status as a ghost is
helpful. It makes it possible to employ an omniscient viewpoint.
However, her unseen presence observing a character can only occur when
Bailey Ruth decides on a course of action prompted by her own reasoning.
Jen: Now that the novel is complete, what’s next for
Bailey? And, when can we expect to see the third installment in bookstores?
Carolyn: GHOST IN TROUBLE
will be published in fall 2010. Bailey Ruth returns to earth when a woman
undertakes a dangerous course of action to try and prove a murder occurred.
Jen: Let’s switch gears and talk about your
promotional plan. First of all, please take us on a tour of your website.
Carolyn: It is
www.CarolynHart.com . The website includes
information about both current and past books, recent blogs and essays,
reviews and interviews.
Jen: Secondly, do you participate in author phone
chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one? Also, do you
have Reading Group Guides available for your books?
Carolyn: I would be delighted to take part in a
phone chat. To schedule, please contact my publicist at HarperCollins
(Danielle.bartlett@harpercollins.com
). I don't have Reading Guides. I know they would be helpful but right now
I am trying to write two books a year and I haven't found time to develop
Reading Guides.
Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with
my readers. I absolutely loved
MERRY, MERRY GHOST! What a perfect book for the holiday season!
Carolyn: Thank you very much, Jen. I hope your
wonderful readers agree. Bailey Ruth and I send our warmest Christmas
greetings.
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"Meet the Author" is a regular
feature of the Baltimore County Public Library's website and is provided courtesy of Jennifer
Vido, the creator of
Jen's Jewels) |
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I hope you have enjoyed my interview with
the prolific writer Carolyn Hart. I highly recommend all of her
series. Believe me, if you have never read any of her books before,
you’re in for a treat! Please stop by your favorite bookstore or
local library branch today and pick up a copy of
MERRY, MERRY GHOST.
Then again, how would you like to win one
instead? Okay, be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at
jensjewels@bcpl.net with the correct answer to the following
trivia question and it’s yours!
What is the name of the 20TH
title of the
DEATH ON DEMAND series due out in April 2010?
In December, I will be bringing to you my
interview with romance writer Lori Wilde. You won’t want to miss it.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jen
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Baltimore County Public Library,
Towson Maryland USA
Last Revised:
19 November 2009
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