5. Can you tell us readers what your future projects are? And will we see Dr.
Samantha Owens again?
Of course. She and Taylor will always have something fun going on. Right now, I’m
focused on editing my new standalone, NO ONE KNOWS, which comes out in March of
2016, and gearing up for promotion on THE END GAME, the third book I’ve co-written
with the divine Catherine Coulter. It comes out September 15, and it’s a blast!
6. How long would say it takes you to work on just one novel of yours?
You know, it varies from book to book. I’ve done a full-length novel in 45 days (WHEN
SHADOWS FALL), one took 14 months (THE COLD ROOM), and the standalone, all told,
took four years. I’d like to say six months is the average. One to research, four to draft,
one to edit. But the further you get into release schedules and such, the more that’s
broken up. So the four months of writing might be spread over a year. It just depends.
7. How would you describe the life of being a published author?
Possibly the most wonderful thing ever. I’m following my dreams, doing what I love. When
I finished writing the very first paragraph of my very first book, I burst into tears, because I
felt so at home for the first time in my adult life. It’s also stressful, frustrating, and
overwhelming at times. There is a lot of pressure – I think I put most of it on myself – to
make each book better than the last. No matter, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
8. How does it feel to know that your novels are published in more than twenty
countries?
Surreal. Completely. I’ve done some signings overseas, and it’s incredibly gratifying to
see the books in another language. A total dream come true.
9. How approximately how many novels and short stories have you written so far?
I’m currently writing my 17th novel, and I’ve written approximately ten full-length shorts. I
did a lot of flash fiction back in the day, too.
10. When did your passions in forensic and crime begin? I noticed that these
passions influence your writing.
When I was dating my husband. We were in graduate school together, so a lot of our
dates w ere post homework. We used to watch ER and the Profiler, and Millennium. Those
three shows really turned my crank. And of course, Cornwell’s books were so cutting edge
and different. That stew sparked a lot of great ideas.
11. What is your advice to writers who are wanting to write crimes and thrillers?
Read everything, pick something you really love to focus on, and write that story.
Everyone says write what you know, which is easier, sure, but I think you should write
what you’re fascinated by. I have a section on my website for writers, and have lots of