An interview with Carolyn Arnold

Breaking away from my series of " That's not real publishing " posts, today I am pleased to welcome Canadianauthor, Carolyn Arnold to this blog. Carolyn writes about nice things, such asmurder, mayhem and mad serial killers. Her debut novel, Ties That Bind , featuresfemale detective Madison Knight: at the time of this interview I am about 55%** through it (whatever happened to page numbers?) and I am thoroughly enjoyingthe experience. Carolyn's latest tome, Eleven , was released on 11/11/11. 
** and now I've finished it, and it's very good..
Carolyn ArnoldQ: You may have seen from my last interview with Jonathan Pinnockthat I am brutal in my questioning. However, Carolyn, you being a crime writer,I assume you are well connected and that you 'know people'. All sortsof people ... I may have to go easy on you. So, tell me – please -  what is Eleven all about?
A:  Eleven Rooms. Ten Bodies. One Empty Grave.Brandon Fishernever expected this when he signed up as a Special Agent for the FBI. Workingin the shadow of Supervisory Special Agent Jack Harper ofthe Behavioral Analysis Unit his career seemed set. But when theteam is called to a small rural town where the remains of ten victims are foundin an underground bunker, buried in an unusual way, Brandon knows he'll neverreturn to his normal life.
With one emptygrave, and the case touching close to home, he fears he's become the target ofa psychotic serial killer who wants to make him number eleven. Only thing is,everything Brandon thinks he knows is far from the truth.
Q: Ties That Bind features a strong female lead character whobattles against not only the criminal element, but also against the prejudicesand judgements of some of her male colleagues: I can certainly relate to her (even though I'm male),having worked with women in a pressurised and largely male environment for thelast thirty or so years. Did you base her on anybody you know?
A:  While there arecharacteristics that have been drawn from my own personality, I've never had towork in a male-dominated field.
Q: Does that person know you have moulded you character on her (andis she OK with that)?
A:  Yes, I'm fine with it, LOL
Q: Crime writing is, I imagine, a tough area: what research did youdo before embarking on Ties ?
A:  There was a lot of researchinvolved.  I first had to learn aboutpolice department organization and hierarchy. I needed to learn about forensics and trace evidence.  A lot of my research was conducted usingtextbooks and the internet.  I find bycross referencing this material it gave me a clear understanding.
I also have a few contacts that are, orwere, in law enforcement to help me if I had a question on something.
Q: And did you have to do any extra research for Eleven ? 
A:  I spent a lot of time onthe FBI website researching their organization. I also used Google Earth and the internet to learn about these placesI've never personally been.  I am alsofortunate to have a friend who lives in one of the cities the case takes themto.
Q:  Have you had any problemsaccessing police and FBI advisors, or have you found them only too willing toassist?
A: I did have a problem accessing them directly.  I sent emails to both the FBI and the prisonin Kentucky where the one killer is serving time on an unrelated charge tomurder.  None of my emails or inquirieswere returned.
Q: What, in your mind, is it about Madison Knight that makes herdifferent from other heroines in detective and crime fiction?
A:Her vulnerabilities.  She hasa strong distaste for the sight of blood – a highly unlikely quality for aMajor Crimes Detective – however she wants to have a purpose in her life.  She pushes through, inspired by a grandmotherwho believed in her.  She also has deepempathy for the family left behind. Chocolate is her soother.
Q: I think I should point out here that you're not just writing aboutstrong women who fight suppression: I notice that the hero of Eleven is named Brandon Fisher, so I'm assuming that's a male lead?
A:Yes, Brandon Fisher is the male lead in Eleven .  It's a unique perspective in contrast toMadison Knight as well because while she is a seasoned detective, Brandon isnew to the job.  The reader learns alongwith him.
Q: What's your day job?
A:Do we have to talk about that? LOL Just joking.  I work in an officewhere my main responsibility is to collect past due accounts. 
Q: Does it get in the way of your writing?
A: LOL I'd love to say it does, but my husband would correct me.  I'll say work is getting in the way of mylife, and he'll say it's the job that makes my life possible.  He has a point.  I'm fortunate to have a good job andworkplace that I enjoy.
Of course, any dedicated author would loveto do their writing full-time.
Q: I think I'm right in saying that you're self published, as am I:what spurred you to take that step?
A:  Yes, you are correct.  A lot of factors were considered before Imade the decision to self-publish.  Oneof which is just because you land an agent, it doesn't guarantee you successanymore than getting a publishing contact does. A lot of work is left up to the author these days, and I also preferredto get my work into the hands of readers sooner than later.
I have friends who have the NY agents andthey've made the rounds to the major publishing houses.  Here it is years later and I still can't buytheir books.
Q: Do you dream of achieving a major publishing deal, or do youintend to remain independent?
A: Of course I do, but I'm not letting the "dream" of that stop mefrom doing what I love to do – that of writing and getting my books into thehands of my readers.  Should I becomediscovered during this course I would certainly consider offers.
Q: On the subject of independent publishing, what can you tell meabout Celebrating Authors and Orangeberry Books ?
A:  CelebratingAuthors was something I developed to give back and extend support to otherauthors.  It is connected with Orangeberry Books in the sense I met the person whoruns this and he has the same goals as I do – to bring readers and authorstogether.  With so many books to choosefrom, where can people turn?  We wantedto give readers a place to go for a variety of genres.
Q: How much help has it been to you, being a member of these twocollectives?
A:  Like I said, I runCelebrating Authors.  It was my idea andconcept, and Orangeberry Books was a writer colleague's.   I believe I've benefited because as anauthor you need to stand out.  The moreexposure you're given, the more likely you'll be noticed.
Q: What do you read when you're not devising nasty methods of killingpeople?
A: Same type of literature LOL I love mysteries and thrillers.
Q: What advice do you have for new authors trying to make animpression in the indie section of the book market?
A:  Be professional.  This will stand out, trust me.  Know how to not only support and promoteothers but how to promote yourself.  Youwould be surprised how some authors don't know how to do this.  It's not a matter of being in people's facesbut offering them something they want.
Q: Carolyn, it's been a pleasure having youhere. Good luck with Eleven – I hope to read it soon.
A: Thank you.



Carolyn's catalogue

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Where to buy her books:Amazon