It's one again time for the Wednesday Women! For this week, I invited Carolyn Arnold to introduce the heroine of her mystery series, Madison Knight (and we also take a look at other publications). Thanks Carolyn and Madison for joining us!
- Please tell us about your heroine, Madison Knight.
Major Crimes Detective Madison
Knight is feisty, loves a good chocolate fix, and has an aversion to blood. If
you love a strong, female protagonist lead, I invite you to meet Madison
for yourself. (And you can meet her for free in Ties that Bind.)
- I’ve always been a fan of the female detective genre. What inspired you to create your own?
I love to read and watch the
genre but noticed how, at the time, women took the back seat while a man was in
the lead. I wanted to flip the roles by having a strong female protagonist.
- What sources have you used for research regarding this character and her life?
My characters come to me with their
secrets and backstory. As I write, they reveal it to me. I’ve also used the
interview process in the past to dig out more information.
As far as research, I refer to
many publications on police procedure and forensics. Of a huge aid to me, is
the fact that I have friends who are cops or are retired cops.
- What’s the most important thing you’ve learned when creating and developing Madison?
This is tough, but I’d have to
say that when I first started writing, one thing a reader told me (before I
published) was that my characters could be more real. I took this advice as a
challenge. I want each and every one that graces the pages of my books to be so
real that people feel as if they could pinch them. Based on reader response, I
believe I am accomplishing that.
- What’s the most frustrating?
I’m not sure any part of the
process has been frustrating.
- Are there any authors in your genre who influenced you?
I remember reading a JD Robb “In
Death” series novel and thinking I write a lot like her. Reviewers have also
commented on the similarity.
But I love David Baldacci for his
character development and Sandra Brown for daring to go where I necessarily
wouldn’t naturally.
- You have quite a few publications besides the MK series, including your latest releases. Can you tell us what they are about, and do you have a favorite among your crime-solving characters?
Yes, thank you for asking about
this. I actually have three series on the go right now with another brewing in
my head.
My latest series lends itself to
the cozy mystery genre and follows the adventures of ex-detectives Sean &
Sara McKinley. They are retired from the day job but still find themselves with
kidnappings and murders to solve.
The McKinley Mystery Series promises
no foul language or graphic violence. The series combines romance, mystery,
humor, and adventure for a lighthearted, easy read.
As for a favorite character,
whoa, that is a tough one. I love all of them for different reasons. Madison
for her persistence, Brandon Fisher can be thoughtless but when he lets his
wall down, it’s magical, and with Sean and Sara McKinley, well, their ability
to work together as a unit to solve crime.
Carolyn Arnold (all graphics provided by author)
- What does a perfect writing day look like for you?
With hours to devote to ‘falling
into the rabbit hole.’ That’s how I term it when I become so absorbed that time
passes without even being aware of it. I’m so entrenched with my characters and
what is going on that nothing else matters.
- Do you work with music, or do you need quiet to get into “the zone”?
There have been times I’ve put
something on that corresponds to a scene I’m writing. For example, in Life
Sentence when Bryan and Jessica are out for a fancy dinner, I played crooner
music. When I was writing Hart’s Choice, the main character loves classical
music (well, she is a ballerina) and I put these pieces on and fell into the
story.
For the most part, though, I
prefer to write in silence.
- This is one of my favorite questions, and I never let an author get away from it--who would play Madison in the movie, and why?
I’m not allowed to get away from
it…are you sure? Just kidding.
Well, I’d definitely have to go
with Maria Bello. She’s pretty and can play a-take-no-nonsense type of
character.
(I would love to see that! ~Barbara)
- What are you working on at the moment, and what’s in the near future for you--and Madison?
Right now, I’m deep into edits
for Just Cause, the fifth installment of the Madison Knight Series (not
counting the prequel, Life Sentence). I have plans to make it the best one yet.
Madison will face her haunting past
and meet a love interest.
Carolyn
Arnold published her first book, TIES THAT BIND, the first in her
Madison Knight Series, in 2011 and it became a best-seller, reaching the
top 100 in Police Procedurals in the US and in the UK on Amazon. Her
novel ELEVEN was noted as a recommended read on The Examiner's "Top 12
Fiction Books of 2011". Her writing has been compared to New York Times
Bestsellers such as JD Robb, Mary Higgins Clark, Sue Grafton, Michael
Connelly, Tess Gerritsen, and more.
She is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and lives with her husband, and two beagles in a city near Toronto.
You can sign up for her newsletter to stay informed about new releases here.
Website: www.carolynarnold.net
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold
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