MLC: Do you remember the first mystery you ever read? If so, what was it, and what pulled you into it?
AUTHOR: Well, I bet it was a Nancy Drew. One of, possibly, millions of Nancy’s that I read! As a I got older, I plowed through absolutely every Sherlock Holmes short story ,ad I really think it was Arthur Conan Doyle who made me want to be a mystery writer. I loved trying to figure out the clues! And Agatha Christie. I read every one as a teenager.
MLC: When did you first decide you wanted to write a mystery, and what led you to that decision?
AUTHOR: Gosh, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t; want to write one. But it took me fifty years—literally!-- to do it .And when I did, it was because I finally got what I thought was a great idea for a plot. And the result was Prime Time.
MLC: Do you write in any other genres? If so, which ones?
AUTHOR: I’m a investigative reporter for the NBC affiliate in Boston , and I’ve been a TV reporter for the past 30 years! So for at least 15 of those years, I wrote a TV news story every day—murders, fires, politics, tornadoes, cat shows, whatever happened. And since 1989, as investigative reporter, I’ve written many long-form highly researched exposes. So, does that count?
MLC: Which comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
AUTHOR: Ah. Well, I must say, and I know you’re all hooting that this is the wrong answer. The plot comes first. But then, when it comes to story development, the characters definitely drive the plot.
MLC: When you are all wrapped up in the story, do you feel like you could solve the crime, or maybe even solve all the world’s mysteries?
AUTHOR: Ha. Nope. I just want to solve my mystery. In Prime Time, I was halfway through when I realized I had chosen the wrong bad guy! It’s true! I had written 40,000 words as if one person “did it,” and I suddenly realized it was someone else. So I surprised myself!
MLC: Do you write every day, or what kind of a schedule do you have? Do you write fulltime, or do you have a “day job”?
AUTHOR: I’m a fulltime reporter. So on a weekday, I go to Channel 7 from 9 til 7, say. Then I come home and write until about 10. Then, I cook (or nuke), and my husband and I have dinner around 10:30. Then—he goes to sleep (or reads) and I write a bit more. I write all day on weekends, when I’m in full bore book mode, and all day on vacation. I’m pretty obsessed .I haven’t taken a real vacation in three years.
MLC: Other than your writing, what do you enjoy doing? What is the most important thing to you in your day-to-day life?
AUTHOR: Sleep.
MLC: Who are your favorite mystery authors? Do you try to emulate them in your own writing?
AUTHOR: Julia Spencer-Fleming. Louise Penny. Hallie Ephron. Nancy Pickard. So many more. Margaret Maron, certainly. David Hosp. Peter Abrahams. John Lescroart. Emulate? Well, kind of. As I’m writing, I always pretend they’re reading my stuff, and that keeps me in line. And humble.
MLC: In your present book, is this part of a series, or is it a standalone book?
AUTHOR: AIR TIME, which comes out in 09, is the third in the Charlotte McNally Mysteries. DRIVE TIME is next. Both will be published by MIRA books, so I’m thrilled. Let me say—PRIME TIME and FACE TIME are also going to be re-issued by MIRA books next summer, so that’s very exciting.
MLC: If you are doing a series, do you see an end to it sometime, or do you plan to go on for several years with it?
AUTHOR: Well, I must admit Show Time and Equal Time are in my head! SO I hope I get to write them.
MLC: Do your characters ever drive you a bit crazy by going off in their own direction? If so, how do you rein them in, or do you just let them run off on their own?
AUTHOR: They’re wonderful. And they teach me a lot. I have learned to listen to them, and trust them.
MLC: Do you pattern your sleuths after yourself or someone you know? If so, do you let that person know they were your “pattern”?
AUTHOR: Ah, hmm. People always think Charlie McNally is me. And she is, I admit, a bit. My mother is convinced she is Mrs. McNally. And she is, I admit, a bit. Other characters—nope, they’re totally fiction.
MLC: How long did it take you to get published? How many rejections did you have to suffer through first? Were you ever tempted to give up? What do you think made the difference when it was accepted?
AUTHOR: Oh, was I tempted to give up? Gotta say: no. I was sad, to be rejected. Really, truly, crying-level sad, when the rejections came. But I loved my book and I knew people eventually would realize it was good. Pretty much knew. There were days when I doubted, but I just never gave up.
MLC: Do you ever attend any conferences? If so, which ones?
AUTHOR: Oh, yes, of course. Crime Bake, I love it! Malice Domestic. I’m going to Thrillerfest this year, which I’m very excited about, and Bouchercon. Looking forward to it!
MLC: Do you have to promote your own work, or does your publisher do that for you?
AUTHOR: Oh, I do it on my own. And it’s a lot of work, but so worth it!
MLC: If you have to do marketing, what methods have worked the best for you?
AUTHOR: Huh. You know, I don’t know. I sell a lot of books after making speeches and presentations, I do know that. You all who are reading this—I’d love to know how you heard about my books! Email me at hryan@whdh.com and let me know! I’m very curious.
MLC: Do you have any idea how your book is selling?
AUTHOR: Well, I’ve been told there are no more copies of PRIME TIME available. Or FACE TIME. So they are only at Amazon, and in the mystery bookstores that bought extras. Since they are going to be re-issued next summer (in case you missed them!) they aren’t being reprinted. So I would say they did amazingly well!
MLC: What has been the best review you have gotten, and why?
AUTHOR: Ah, gosh. That’s hard. PT was a Top Pick, and Romantic Times, my very first review ever, said it had “danger humor, romance, snappy dialogue and a wonderful mystery that will keep you guessing—PRIME TIME is a perfect combination of mystery and romance!” So that was terrific! And Dawn, you were one of the very first to believe—I still have your rave review in a special keepsake place. Hallie Ephron said it was “Hilarious.” Sarah Stromeyer said Face Time was “for smart women who are tired of silly chick lit fare and ready for some kickass romance and intelligent plot.” And Sara Paretsky said FACE TIME was “a gripping fast-paced thriller.” I almost burst into tears of joy when I read that.
MLC: Have you won any awards, either as an author or for your books? Please tell us about them.
AUTHOR: Oh, yes, thank yo so much for asking! PRIME TIME just won the Agatha for Best First Mystery—and I am still floating over that. PT also has TWO RITA nominations, fantastic!—for Best First Book and Best Romantic Suspense. PT also won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award. FACE TIME is a Booksense Notable Book. SO I’m very proud and delighted.
MLC: What is your next project, and when will it be out?
AUTHOR: AIR TIME will be published by MIRA books in October of 2009. But before that, as I said, PRIME TIME and FACE TIME will be reissued as MIRA books—brand new covers and all that! (So those who own the originals—they may be a collectors item!) Look for them next summer. And of course, you all will be the first to know when they are available.
MLC: If you could write anything at all, ignoring what editors and publishers say they want, what would it be?
AUTHOR: Exactly what I’m doing right now—the Charlotte McNally mysteries.
MLC: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring mystery authors?
AUTHOR: Oh—how about this question: What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail? You’d do anything right? So look at the world and your writing that way. Just—go for it. As Winston Churchill said, never never never give up.
And don’t freak over rejections. Everyone, everyone, everyone gets rejections. You’ll never hear “yes” if you don’t hear “no” first!
MLC: Do you have any teasers for your readers and fans about the next book?
AUTHOR: Someone is pregnant! Someone gets engaged. And someone is not who they pretend to be.
MLC: If a genie suddenly appeared and said they would grant you just one wish for your books, what would you wish for?
AUTHOR: That they’d be—beloved.
MMLC: Please give us your website url and your email address where people can contact you.
AUTHOR:
My website is
http://www.hankphillippiryan.com and my email address is
hryan@whdh.com.
And my blog with four fellow mystery authors is
http://www.juingleredwriters.com
Please keep in touch, you all. I’d love to hear
from you!
MLC: Thank you so much for giving us a little glimpse into your books and your life. We look forward to a lot more books from you.