Q&A session with Erica Spindler, the author of In Silence.

It’s been a long day, and you’re tired when you get home.  Imagine coming and seeing that there is only one message on the machine.  “I’m in trouble,” the recorded voice quivers, “I’ve uncovered something … I’m going for help tonight and will contact you as soon as I’m able.”

            You know who it is, and you’re shocked because you haven’t heard from them in awhile.  A few days pass by, and they haven’t called back.  What do you do?  In Erica Spindler’s novel, Dead Run, her character Liz Howard makes the decision to fly down to Florida and find out why her sister hasn’t called back.

            Dead Run has recently released in paperback, and it’s been a success on the USA Today and New York Times Extended bestseller lists.  The Sentinel was lucky enough to talk to her about her career, her website and even some of her personal interests.  So sit back, grab a beverage and enjoy reading how this Fine Arts major went on to become a successful mystery/suspense and romance author.

1)  How long have you been writing?

            I began writing in 1983, shortly after having received my MFA in
painting from the University of New Orleans.  My first novel was
published in 1988.

2)  When did you know that writing was your life’s calling?

            The minute I put pen to paper.  Goodbye paints and brushes, hello pen
and keyboard.

3)  Please describe your writing/creative muse.

            Extremely friendly and not as temperamental as some.  She hasn’t
refused me yet, though she does need to be coaxed once and while.

4)  Please describe a typical work day.

            I begin working around 9:00 a.m. when my youngest is off to pre-school
and my assistant arrives.  She and I discuss the day’s activities. Then I grab my laptop, head to my local coffeehouse/haunt for a triple espresso and two to three hours of writing.

            I take a midday break for lunch and to check into my home office.  That’s when I answer e-mail, return calls and handle the ‘business of writing.’  Then it’s back to the coffeehouse with the laptop, iced tea this time, for another couple hours writing.

            In addition, I walk on the treadmill in the early a.m. and two to three times a week I break for a Pilates class.  Writing is extremely sedentary, and I’ve found exercise not only keeps me physically fit but mentally energetic as well.

During book tour:
            Book tours are never typical!  Every tour has its own personality, but
generally I fly into a city and do media, scheduled signings and
bookstore drop-ins.  Tours are frenetic and require me to be clear-headed and rested, and that can be difficult when a 6:00 a.m. call requires me to be up by 4:30 a.m. Consequently, I’ve learned not to even bother bringing my laptop, because I’m not going to use it.

During my downtime:
            When I’m on vacation, I don’t work, because the muse needs to be given a
chance to recharge.  I find that after a break I come back bursting with ideas and creative energy.

While working on a new novel:
            My typical work day, as described above, is when I’m actively writing my
new/current novel.  It’s different when I’m brainstorming a new idea, so I’ll share that with you.  I always have the germ of an idea before I begin the process of beginning a new story.  I brainstorm that idea in yellow legal pads.  I literally fill two or three tablets, noting every idea that comes into my head.  I link elements, eliminate others, head down one road and then another.  Finally, the ideas begin to gel into something I’m excited about.
            Then, and only then, do I open a document on my computer.  That document will be my synopsis, which is a narrative outline.  Mine run about sixty pages.  This process takes three weeks to two months, depending on the story.  (Some stories are simply more temperamental than others.)

5)  How do you research for new stories, novels and characters?

            I use lots of different avenues for research. They include the internet, books,
newspapers and interviews with professionals in whatever field I’m using in my current novel.  I’ve talked to doctors, lawyers, DAs, psychologists, travel agents, nursing students, a pastor and Christian youth director, the police, the head of a state drug force, the FBI and a meteorologist.  (I’m sure there are others I’ve forgotten.)

6)  What words of wisdom do you have for aspiring authors?

            Always write what you love to read, not what you think will sell, learn from criticism, believe in yourself and never give up.

7)  What are your favorite authors and books?

            Favorite authors:  Michael Connelly, Iris Johansen, Stephen King, Peter Straub and Janet Evanovich among others.  Just read Matt Beaumont’s book, and it was an absolute hoot.  I am reading Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code now, and I am finding it very good.

            Favorite books:  Ghost Story by Peter Straub, Scruples by Judith
Krantz, Butterfly by Katherine Harvey and Salem’s Lot by Stephen King among many others.

8)  Do you have any particular rituals you follow when writing?

            Besides the coffee/writing connection, I have two and both are silly, as
these things usually are.  I keep a journal-style notebook with me; in it I keep a record of each page I write a day and how many in the week.  The days and weeks are dated, I’m referencing my progress often, and I feel lost if I forget the journal at home.

9)  Have you ever had a story go in a different direction than what you initially planned for?

            Not the entire story, but elements, characters and even endings!  In Dead Run, two thirds of the way through the novel I realized I wanted to change a major part of the ending, and in my novel, Fortune, I decided a character had to die to add impact.  In both cases, the changes worked.

10)  Are you currently working on a novel, and if so, can you give details about it.

            I’m working on See Jane Die, due out in hardcover June, 2004.  It’s the
story of Jane Killian, a woman who as a teenager survived a brutal attack.  Now, she has everything to live for: a great marriage, fulfilling career and a baby on the way.  Her world is shattered when her husband is arrested for the brutal murders of two women.  While she races to prove his innocence, she’s terrorized by a psychopath who anticipates her every move.

11)  What inspired you to create your Web site, www.ericaspindler.com ?

            I wanted a way to communicate with my readers and for them to communicate with me.  Through my site I can keep my fans up to date with my books, tour schedule and everything else having to do with my books.
            This spring, I debuted the new feature, ‘The World of In Silence.’  It includes a first person trip with me to Cypress Springs, the setting of my new hardcover, In Silence; fun, creepy facts related to the story; and a story excerpt.  My assistant and I brainstormed the feature as a way to engage the readers.  And we had a lot of fun doing it!

12)  What kind of films do you like?

            Thrillers, suspense, comedies and action, and I like commercial stories.  My husband and I joke: If all the critics rave about a movie, avoid it at all costs!

13)  What are your favorite movies to date?

            Like books, there are so many so I’ll just throw out some titles.  Lord of the Rings, both installments, Dead Again, Jerry Maguire, Working Girl, The Big Easy, Suspect, Die Hard and the list goes on.

14)  If you could meet five people, dead or alive, who would they be and why.

Jesus Christ (No explanation there), Coco Chanel, Marilyn Monroe (Wonderful characters, both.), Lee Harvey Oswald (Find out if he really did it), Jon Benet Ramsey and Nicole Brown Simpson (Find out who did it).

            As you can see, Spindler is very approachable, and she really enjoys sharing with her readers.  To find out even more about her, readers can check out her Web site www.ericaspindler.com.  Included on the site are funny stories from her book tours and more about her newest hardback release, In Silence, as well as some interactive fun relating to In Silence.