Now it’s time to learn more about the authors we read. . .
Why do you write the genre that you write?
I blame P. D. James’s AN UNSUITABLE JOB FOR A WOMAN, the first modern mystery I read. It hooked me on mystery novels with believable, relatable female protagonists. Mystery was also the a genre that none of my sisters had written.
What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
In There Was an Old Woman, Mina Yetner sits down with her morning tea each day, opens the newspaper to death notices, and scans for anyone older than she is. She keeps a list of people she knows who’ve died, and when the book opens, she’s up to #151.
Tell us how you got into writing?
For years I insisted that I was not a writer. Then I got a call from a freelance writer who wanted to write a magazine piece about me. “Why?” I asked. Her answer: “You’re the only one in your family who doesn’t write.” That was the push I needed. I took classes, starting with one on essay writing. In 1998 I sold my first piece: “Remembering Dorothy Parker.” It was about my first visit to New York with my mother, who was such a fish out of water where we lived in California, and so in her element in Manhattan. It was not a mystery or even a true crime.
What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
I’ve had so many jobs, but the thru-lines are two: teacher and writer. I taught every grade in elementary school, then college, and now I teach writing wherever and whenever I can. I worked in high tech writing computer-based training, starting back when mainframes ruled the world. I had my own freelance writing business which I did while I was taking writing classes and writing my first books.
How many books do you have published?
16
Where do you write?
In my office. It’s about the size of two walk-in closets but it’s got windows all around and, most importantly, a door. I wrote KEEP OUT on a Post-It and it’s stuck to the *inside* of the door.
What is your favorite deadline snack?
Cherries, in season, or grapes. And, if I’m being honest, miniature Mounds bars.
Who is an author you admire?
Anthony Horowitz, because he breaks all the “rules” so brilliantly.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
Can I have two? PI and domestic suspense.
What are you reading now?
An advance copy of Rhys Bowen’s THE ROSE ARBOR. It’s wonderful.
What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
Sparkling water mixed with cranberry juice.
What is next for you?
I’m pulling together a collection of personal essays. (Coming “full circle,” you could say.)
Where can we find you?
I’ll be teaching at this summer’s Book Passage Mystery Writing Conference in July in Corte Madera, California—giving a master class on “Plotting a mystery: The secret’s in the secrets.” And every day I’m on the blog Jungle Red Writers and our super duper new Facebook group, Reds and Readers.
Now to have some fun . . .
Chocolate, vanilla, or another flavor:
Passion Fruit
Ice cream or cake:
Cake *if* it’s good; otherwise ice cream which is more dependable
Fruits or vegetables:
Uh, both.
Breakfast, lunch, or dinner:
Dinner!
Dining in or dining out:
IN!
City life or country living:
City, zoom zoom.
Beach or mountain:
Beach
Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall:
Spring, please
Extrovert or introvert:
Extrovert
Early bird or night owl:
Early bird (and a bird watcher)
And even more fun . . .
What’s your favorite movie?
Singing in the Rain
You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
A good book. A flashlight. And another good book.
My bio:
New York Times best-selling author Hallie Ephron loves suspense, and her suburban-based thrillers draw you in and keep you turning the pages. She is an Anthony and Edgar Award finalist and a four-time finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She gives writing workshops at conferences across the country and is an award-winning book reviewer for the Boston Globe.
Dru Ann, I love your subtitle of this post!
Agreed – well said. – Hallie
Huge Horowitz fan, too! Looking forward to this book~
I love it too… This is such a great site and I’m thrilled to be featured!
This is such a great site and I”m thrilled to be featured! Thanks Dru!! Marni, “schmelzb” – waving!!
This is the best tip I’ve read in a long time! *** I wrote KEEP OUT on a Post-It and it’s stuck to the *inside* of the door.*** Thanks for this interview!!
Discipline! We all need reminders or the book doesn’t get written.
I use the same sign on my refrigerator…
Hallie! So great to see you here and to read this. I have to admit, my favorite thing in this interview is, “I wrote KEEP OUT on a Post-It and it’s stuck to the *inside* of the door.” Cannot wait to read your essays and am jealous of your lucky students at Book Passage. xxx
Hi, Wendall! How nice to “see” you here. Mystery writers are THE BEST.
Hallie is the best. I’ve taken several of her workshops and read several of her books, including the one on mystery writing.
Thanks, Elizabeth!
Hallie, lovely to see you here. I am so thankful for your book on how to write mysteries, “Writing and Selling your Mystery.” The ways you instruct a new writer to attack the story, the background, and the character are so easy to understand. (I see there’s a sequel in 2017!) Can’t wait to read your latest suspense. I’ve enjoyed so many of them. Loved “There Was an Old Woman.” Kudos on your multifaceted career. ~ Daryl
Dru Ann, love these questions! Hallie really is the most extraordinary writing teacher. The Book Passage conference looks like it’s going to be great – what a lineup.
Hi, Darryl – great to “see” you, too! I’m glad the book ‘works’ – I spent years teaching before I started to write. What is it they say: You can take the teacher out of the classroom but you can’t take the classroom out of the teacher
Fun interview. Hallie, I’m so grateful to you for Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel. My copy is falling apart. Whenever I’m stuck I go back to the worksheets in it.
I love Writing and Selling your Mystery, too! As a matter of fact, I’ve been re-reading it this month, slowly, marking things. It’s a great book.
Waving hi to Hallie, one of my first writing mentors!
I’ve learned something new and valuable, thank you for sharing.