Interview with Carolyn Hart

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!

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 (Publicist). 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.

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 five readers to correctly answer the following trivia question and you could win!

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

When a twist of fate landed Jennifer at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would essentially be over. Instead, she figured out a clever way to combine her love for reading and writing and "voilà" She became a book reviewer and columnist with www.freshfiction.com. On the sidelines, her parents secretly hoped that her French degree from Vanderbilt would one day come in handy and Jennifer is happy to report that the phrases ‘Je ne sais pas' and ‘C'est incroyable!' have been quite useful when reviewing certain selections! As is typical in her whirlwind life, one thing led to another and soon she found herself facilitating a popular moms' book club and writing a column she cleverly named Jen's Jewels. (Jewelry is one of her many addictions, as is the color pink and Lilly Pulitzer, which when you think about it, would probably make for a good story! Hint! Hint! ) To keep herself away from her favorite retailer, Ann Taylor, she serves on the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library in Maryland. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Classes, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. When asked how she manages to do all of these things and actually get some sleep at night, she simply replied, "It's just Par for the Course." Hmm! Now where have we heard that before? >