As ScriptSuperhero.com’s interview with novelist Charlaine Harris, creator of the novels behind the HBO original series TRUE BLOOD, enters its penultimate installment, the discussion turns to the mystery genre in general and other random matters.
Definitely Dead, cover to another of the novels in Harris' most popular series, the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire mysteries.
Charlaine Harris: It’s home to me.
SS: It has always seemed to me that mysteries are one of the harder genres to write well, because first you have to figure out what actually happened, but then you have to figure out several alternative ways to look at the same situations and fit red herring suspects to the same crime in at least temporarily believable ways. Describe your process for plotting out your mysteries.
CH: I’m afraid it’s distressingly random and involves a lot of backing and filling.
SS: Most writers have a lot of unused ideas that they’ve had rumbling about in their minds for years. Briefly, what is your favorite concept for a novel or character that you dreamed up as a younger, unpublished writer, that you have yet to get around to dusting off, and do you ever think you’ll go back to one of those ideas?
CH: I’ve used all my novel ideas.
SS: Some people think its easy for a published writer to keep getting published, and even Stephen King’s critics have joked that his grocery list would hit the top of the New York Times Bestsellers List. You’ve been atop the NYT list now; have you found that it’s easier to get your new ideas looked at now than it was before you had experienced this level of success, or is it still a struggle to get your agent and publisher to consider new ideas, as opposed to the next Sookie novel.
CH: There’s always the possibility that I could think of something that would sell even more than Sookie, right? Sure, my agent and publisher are interested in hearing my ideas.
SS: Now that Hollywood has “discovered” you through the success of TRUE BLOOD, have any of your other series characters drawn interest from the West Coast? Is anyone interested in bringing Harper, Roe or Lily to the big or small screen?
CH: I’ve had nibbles.
SS: On your Web site, you often mention your friend, Paula. Along with her, who in your life helps keep you grounded and writing, now that you have achieved a certain level of success and commercial appeal?
CH: My children and my husband. They take what I do quite for granted. They just want to know what’s for supper.
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