Interview for Word Museum:  RD Larson
Genre: suspense thrillers
Date: 28 Nov 2002


Tell us a little about your latest release...
Evil Angel is about a woman obsessed with her soon-to-be ex-husband. She will do anything to get him back.

What are you working on at the moment?
Two novels: "Working Poor" set in Memphis and "Carjack" about a woman at risk, about how brave she is and how she copes with her fear. Caroline is a strong woman character, even though she is afraid.

When did you first decide you wanted to be a writer?
I began to write when I was ten and have written off and on during my entire life.

Who has had the most influence on your writing over the years?
Without question, it is Lee Roddy, the wonderful author of "The Lady Pinkerton Chronicles: An Adult Trilogy of Suspense & Romance" and "Pinkerton the Juvenile Series: Between Two Flags". He knows what readers like and his stories are exciting and worthwhile for kids and adults. I write differently, of course, but he's still my favorite author. I've learned a lot from him.

Who was your favorite teacher and what influence did s/he have?
Mrs. Thompson, in the fifth grade, because she loved my "stories" about adventures and excitement.

What is your greatest strength as a writer?
Characterization, I've been told. My Characters seem to have their own lives and I just write it down. Of course, it's still effort and using of my skill, but I believe in the people in my books and stories.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I would like to finish three more books, two suspense thrillers and a mainstream novel about two friends growing up together in Memphis.

When you're 80 and you look back on your life...
I'd like people to say I found writing to be my "bliss" and that I enjoy every minute of it.

What are the best tools out there for new writers?
The best tool is the research ability of the Internet. Check the facts because if you don't one of the readers will.

How important do you think villains are in a story?
Villains are the obstacles to the hero's happiness. A villain can be an attitude or an event as well as person.

Why did you choose to write this particular sub-genre?
I like suspense thrillers to read and so I like to write them. My education is in criminal justice and I still have an interest in it.

Do you tend to see certain themes in your books?
I have various themes as dictated by the storyline. It's different. I choose a theme to set the story's forward movement.

How do you make your characters real and believable?
I write backgrounds for everyone on 3 X 5 cards so that I know where they went to school, what they eat, who they hate and who they love, what movies they see --everything about them. Then when the story comes together I know the characters.

What tricks and techniques do you use when plotting?
I block out the story and sometimes shift the blocks around for weeks to get the excitement I want.

What tricks and techniques do you use when editing?
I read it aloud and I tape it and play it. I listen to my husband read it aloud to make sure it's got positive forward excitement and is real to me.

What promotions have you found to have the most impact?
I've done radio and newspaper interviews and I'm looking forward to TV. More people watch television than read but maybe they'll like Evil Angel with its twists and subplots.

To what writers' organizations do you belong? Have they helped you grow?
Sierra Writers and Hong Kong Writers Circle. Lawrence Gray at HKWC is most helpful. 

Do you have any good luck charms? Listen to music? Or other?
My dogs have always been my good luck charms.

If you could write any book you wanted, what would it be?
I'd write a tiny 50-page book about the civility that people should show to one another; a book on decent behavior.

Where do you see the market heading in the next few years?
I think there'll be more eBooks and more PDA's that make eBooks easy to read anywhere. I own a Rocket Book.

How do you keep your creative well filled and avoid burnout?
I walk and spend time outside. I'm fond of the wildlife that lives around me.

Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?
I like to read -- is that a hobby? I am going to start kayaking as a sport soon.

Who are some of your favorite writers and what have they taught you?
Anita Shreve has wonderful classic books about women and James Patterson writes excellent crime stories. I learned to mix the two kinds of books (I hope) by reading their work.

Do you believe where you live has had an influence on your stories?
Yes, PLACES have their -- well, place. I love the sea and often write about it. I just finished a story called The Phantom of the Sea; about a woman making a hard choice in her life.

A few words of inspiration?
Write every day. Write as much as you can. Revise and revise and revise. Don't take rejection in any way other than a learning experience but do try to be true to your own self. And read everything. But most of all put your writing at the top of your list right after family.