Steve: Today I’m honored to interview mystery and thriller author Carole Price. Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself to start out.

Carole: I’m a Buckeye born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and I attended The Ohio State University. I worked for a national laboratory in northern California before turning to writing mysteries.

Steve: Tell us about your novels.

Carole: I write the “Shakespeare in the Vineyard Series.” I fell in love with the Bard after attending plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland.

Steve: This is a mystery series. That must have required some background beyond a love for Shakespeare.

Carole: I graduated from the Citizens Police Academy, and I’m an active police volunteer for the Livermore Police Department. I’m also a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. I actively promote my books at conferences, literary groups, and many other venues.

Steve: Sounds like you have a lot on your plate.

Carole: I multitask, writing both fiction and creating stained glass art. My husband and I reside in the San Francisco Bay area in the middle of wine country, so there’s plenty to do in the area.

Carole on Reading and Writing:

Steve: Why, how, and when did you start writing?

Carole: I arrived late on the writing scene. It wasn’t until I retired, invited to join a critique group, that I started my first book. Although an avid reader, it hadn’t occurred to me to try my hand at writing novels, but when I began to rewrite sentences/phrases in whatever book I was reading, I realized how much fun it was. That first book, still not yet titled, takes place on Martha’s Vineyard, where I’d vacationed a few times and loved. I’m currently editing that book.

Steve: Did you publish the first book you wrote?

Carole: Not yet, but I hope to.

Steve: What is your biggest problem with the writing process? How do you tackle it?

Carole: Ideas seem to dry up by the middle of the book. There are approximately sixty wineries in Livermore. I thought the familiar setting would make it easier to describe, but I learned readers are alert and careful about details, and I must be too. One reader let me know that she had driven around looking for the fictitious estate my character had inherited, including a vineyard and two Shakespearean theaters, from an aunt she’d never heard of. So far, I’ve stayed with one POV.

Steve: Do you feel writing is something you need to do or want to do?

Carole: Writing is something I want to do because I enjoy it and have made new friends.

Steve: How much of your creative ability do you think is innate and how much is learned?

Carole: My mother was a professional classical violinist and singer. There was always music in our house, but I didn’t get any of her talent except for an appreciation of music. Most of my writing creativity has been learned by doing it.

Steve: What is the last book you read? What are you reading now?

Carole: The last book I read was House of Lies by Daniel Silva. I’m currently reading The Outsider by Stephen King.

Steve: Who are your favorite authors?  Whose writing inspires you the most and why?

Carole: My favorite authors are Daniel Silva and Catherine Coulter. There are many writers who inspire me because of their originality with descriptions and dialogue. They know how to move the story along, something I always need help with. I learn by reading other authors.

Steve: What’s the last book to make you laugh?  Cry?

Carole: None have made me cry. I mostly read thrillers, none of which make me laugh unless it has humorous dialogue.

Steve: Should writers read in their genre?  Should they be avid readers?

Carole: Yes. I am an avid reader, mostly mysteries and thrillers, which I write. Recently, I’ve decided to read other genres, like historical.

Steve: How do you find (discover) your plots?

Carole: My “Shakespeare in the Vineyard Series” takes place in the town where I live. I drove around searching for the best place to create my fictitious theaters and vineyard. After that, ideas slowly evolved. For example, after my protagonist Caitlyn Pepper inherited the Bening estate, she discovered her mysterious aunt had been murdered. This led to her using her cop skills to help learn the truth behind the murder.

Steve: Are your characters based on real people?

Carole: No, my characters are not based on real people.

Steve: How do you name your characters?

Carole: Giving the right names to characters is important. I have to relate to them emotionally and personally. Some are harder than others. I was thinking about a deck of cards when the name Royal Tanner came to mind. Perfect! He’s a navy SEAL and later Caitlyn’s romantic interest. Three books later, I know my characters well.

Steve: Which comes first for you, plot or characters?

Carole: Characters first and then plot. The plot revolves around the characters.

Steve: Any comments about writing dialog?

Carole: When called for, I use a bit of rough talk that I think bad guys would use.

Steve: How do you handle POV?

Carole: I write in third person. I have started a new series in first person, but it feels awkward. It’s a cozy mystery. I’ve been told that most cozies are written in first person. Eighteen chapters in would mean a lot to change to third person.

Steve: Do you do fact-finding for (AKA research) your books?  If so, how? What sources do you use?

Carole: I research the Shakespeare plays that I choose to use for both theaters—the actors’ voice, their language, and the role they play. I’ve taken a backstage tour and spoken to a few actors and managers. My daughter lived in Ashland, Oregon, giving me the opportunity to attend many plays at the famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival that takes place there.

Steve: What reference works do you use most?

Carole: I have King’s book On Writing and often refer to it. And I have material I use on Shakespeare plays and background on the festival.

Carole on the Writing Business:

Steve: Do you use a formatter?  Editor?  Agent?

Carole: Both of my small press publishers handle formatting and editing. I do not have an agent.

Steve: Do you self-publish or traditionally publish?

Carole: I’m published through small presses. I have one book that I would like to self-publish.

Steve: What are your most effective marketing techniques?  Where would you like to improve?  Do you go it alone or seek professional help (outside what your publisher provides, if appropriate).

Carole: I’ve gone to several conferences and been on panels. Library events are good, also book fairs. I usually go it alone.

Steve: Do you release trade paperbacks or ebooks or both?

Carole: I have hardback, trade paperback, and ebooks.

Steve: What do you think of publishing services like Amazon, Smashwords, etc?  What about small presses v. large, traditional publishers?

Carole: I’ve always been with small presses.

Personal questions for Carole:

Steve: What is your favorite place to eat out?  Favorite food?  Drink?

Carole: Lemon Grass (Thai food) in Livermore. Love tea. Love BLTs.

Steve: What are your favorite other places, either here or abroad? What places would you like to visit?

Carole: I would like to visit Russia. I don’t know about their food.

Steve: What other interests and activities do you have besides writing?

Carole: I love working with stained glass. In fact, the first book in my new series is about a mystery that takes place in a glass studio. I also enjoy hiking in the great outdoors.

Steve: What was the last movie you went to see?  If your book(s) were to be made into a movie, who would you want to play your main characters?

Carole: Sorry, but I can’t remember the last movie I’ve seen. I seldom go. I did have someone in mind to play my protagonist, Caitlyn Pepper, in a movie. I wrote it down some time ago, but I don’t have it at my fingertips. My memory isn’t what it used to be.

Steve: What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Carole: Makings for a big salad, bacon, and cheese.

Steve: If you could trade places with someone for a week, famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?

Carole: Dolly Parton.

Steve: What is your favorite (song) and why?  Piece of music?  Theater work? Movie?  Piece of art?

Carole: “Harlem Nocturne” (Kofi) is my favorite song. I play it a lot, even while writing, because the music is haunting. My favorite movie is Gone With the Wind. My husband and I have collected pieces of art by Jody Bergsma for years, originals and copies. She is an illustrator, author, designer, and figurative painter. She lives in Bellingham, WA and has a lovely studio.

Steve: I want to thank you, Carole, for your interesting and candid answers. I wish you many successes with both your series. I’m sure readers will want to check out that interesting mystery series. (Readers of this blog can learn more about or contact Carole in various ways:

Website: http://carolepricemysteries.com;

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carolepricemysteries;

Twitter: http://twitter.com/caroleprice;

Blog: http://www.theladykillers.typepad.com)

***

Comments are always welcome!

Rembrandt’s Angel. Scotland Yard Inspector Esther Brookstone’s obsession with recovering a missing Rembrandt stolen by the Nazis in the war has to be controlled by paramour and Interpol Agent Bastiann van Coevorden. But their search for the painting blows up into an international conspiracy that threatens Europe. The ebook has a reduced price now on Amazon, and it’s also available at Smashwords and its affiliate retailers (iBooks, B&N, Kobo, etc). The print version is available at Amazon and at your favorite bookstore (if they don’t have it, ask for it).

In libris libertas!

 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 14th, 2018 at 3:36 am and is filed under Interviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.