Deadwood, South Dakota
Today we sit down for a chat with mystery author Barbara Pronin. Learn more about her and her books at her website.
When did you realize you wanted to write novels?
I was in sixth grade when Scott O’Dell, author of Island of the Blue Dolphins visited my school. I was struck by his charisma and his tale of how he came to write the book, and I knew right then I was destined to follow in that path.
How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?
I have been very lucky. I sold my first magazine article with my first query, when I was a young mom with kids at home. When my kids were in school, I became a substitute teacher – and that resulted in my first book, Substitute Teaching: A Handbook for Hassle-Free Subbing, which sold to St. Martin’s Press. The book is still in print after some 30 years, and my success with that gave me the courage to finally try my hand at a novel – Syndrome – which sold to Avon Books and launched my career, writing as both Barbara Pronin and as Barbara Nickolae, which began with a collaboration on Finder’s Keepers and resulted in a two-book contract under that name.
Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?
Traditionally published
Where do you write?
At home, in an office cluttered with books, manuscripts, reference materials and ‘stuff.’ My ‘filing system’ is non-existent, but I can usually find what I want with little effort.
Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?
I love classical music, but I find I write best without distraction.
How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?
I think I’ve been pretty guarded about writing from my own life, but my characters are often composites of people I have met. Syndromes’ Sister Althea was inspired by a former nun I met while working at a newspaper, and casual conversations with a forensic psychiatrist I knew inspired Sing Sweetly to Me. I typically start each novel with very motivated characters, which helps me to build out the plot. I have to admit, I am a pantserrather than a plotter. I trust my characters to tell their story. It’s what I love most about writing novels.
Describe your process for naming your character?
Oddly, my characters mostly dance into my head complete with names. An exception is the novel I’m working on now, which takes place in the Netherlands. I did need to do the research to get comfortable with Dutch names.
Real settings or fictional towns?
Mostly real settings. A trip to South Dakota to see Mt. Rushmore led me to the mining and gaming town of Deadwood, which was the impetus for The Miner’s Canary.
What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
Shannon Buchanan in Finder’s Keepers has more of a sense of trusting innocence than anyone I’ve ever known. It gets her into deep trouble, but I think it is very endearing to readers, because the book was optioned for film and published in eight or 10 languages by Readers Digest Condensed books all over the world.
What’s your quirkiest quirk?
I have to practically slap my hand to keep from answering a ringing phone, even when the caller ID says, ‘Unavailable.’ Answering machines notwithstanding, I’m always afraid I’ll miss the one call I wish I had taken.
If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?
Sophie’s Choice by William Styron. It speaks volumes to me about strength of character and making life’s hardest decisions.
Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?
I wish I had spent more time on exercise and health. I realize as I age that some of the aches and pains I deal with now might have been prevented if I had done that.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Having to click five times and listen to five stupid messages before you can reach a live person on the phone.
You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
Books. Family photos. A radio.
What was the worst job you’ve ever held?
Making counter signs in the basement of a five-and-dime store. I did that when I was in college and my hands were permanently stained red and black.
Who’s your all-time favorite literary character (any genre)? Why?
Lula, the steadfast sidekick in Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels. I can’t write funny, but I so appreciate those who can, and Lula’s whacky antics makes me laugh every time.
Ocean or mountains?
Mountains.
City girl/guy or country girl/guy?
Hmm…City girl?
What’s on the horizon for you?
My first venture into historical fiction – a WW II adventure and love story set in The Netherlands in the Hunger Winter of 1944. It’s based on fact, I fell in love with the characters, and I can hardly wait to see it between covers.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?
I was raised by parents who gave me a sense of self-confidence, which is so important when you compete in the arts – and I’m grateful for all the family and professional support I’ve had over the years. But while I’m sure that talent counts, so does persistence and a deep resolve to keep learning and improving. That’s the one piece of advice I would give to younger writers: Hang in there. Keep your eyes open. You can do it.
They say you can’t go home again… For single mom Julie Goldman, who thought she’d left the ghosts of her troubled youth behind her, inheriting her aunt’s old Victorian in the Black Hills mining town of Deadwood, South Dakota, is as much a test as a blessing. Her aunt was not the person she thought she knew, and a diary left by her long-dead cousin Kate sets Julie on a path to find her killer. But with two new murders in town, and faced with a series of escalating threats, Julie must overcome her personal demons to protect her daughter and stop the killer who has them clearly in his sights.
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