Ryan, Hank Phillippi

BWG: Your latest book, THE OTHER WOMAN, which just came out last month, is a departure from the series. What made you decide to go in a different direction?HPR: I got the idea for THE OTHER WOMAN in the dentist’s office—which proves one of my deep beliefs, that good things come out of bad. I needed a root canal, what could be worse? Anyway, long story shorter, I was reading an old People magazine in the waiting room. An article about Mark Sanford, the governor of South Carolina who told his wife and the public he was hiking the Appalachian Trail—when really he was off with this Argentinean mistress.

Through my pain (!) I thought: that is so—ridiculous! Who would do that? Who would be the other woman? It’s an instant life-ruining disaster. Not only for the woman’s life, of course, but for the man she ostensibly loves. Right? She loves him—but his life is gong to be ruined. Why would you do that? And his wife’s life, and his children’s and employees' and staffers' and constituents. A mess.

Then I began wondering. There are so many bad things that are certain to happen as a result of this decision—what if there’s a real reason, an understandable reason, something no one has ever thought of? I wonder if there’s a big juicy story in there, just waiting for me to find it!

Then at the end of the article, someone was quoted as saying “You can choose your sin, but you cannot choose your consequences.” And I got goosebumps. I thought—my book! My book!

I knew it was too complicated and textured a story to tell in first person, like the TIME books are. It needed multiple points of view to create the suspense and the drama and the irony and to sometimes have the reader know things the character doesn’t. SO I knew I needed to create a whole new world for this story—with new main characters—reporter Jane Ryland and detective Jake Brogan-- and completely new and original voices. Incredibly exciting!

As it turned out, it’s NOT about Mark Sanford! But it is about seduction, betrayal, and murder—and consequences. Julia Spencer-Fleming calls it The Candidate meets Basic Instinct. I’ve called it The Good Wife meets Law & Order.

Here’s a video that tells you more—we took a bit of a chance with it—what do you think? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdH02wV_O3M

BWG: It's an exciting video. Now everyone will want to read more!

You set all of your books in Boston—a town with a unique character. Do you find it easier to use a real place rather than creating a fictional town for your books? Are there any drawbacks to using a real city as your setting?

HPR: Ah, it’s fun. It’s wonderful. Boston is gorgeous and diverse and historic and fascinating. The only drawback is that the setting is so realistic to me—sometimes I get confused. My husband and I will be driving on the Mass Turnpike, and I’ll think oh, exit 17, that’s where Jane was chased by the truck! Then I realize—no. I made that up.

BWG: You’ve also won several awards as a short story writer. What special skills, if any, does a short story writer need?

HPR: Yes, “On the House” is a bit of a departure for me—a bit darker and more…cynical. But still kind of funny. Anyway. To me, writing a short story is very difficult…because there’s no room to vamp, or fail. There’s no leeway. But telling a good short story is kind of like telling a good joke, you know? You need a great punchy set up. A good premise with characters you care about. A logical suspenseful middle. And a bang-up surprise of an ending.

BWG: Unlike most authors you’re a public figure. Before working as an investigative reporter, you held a variety of jobs in politics and journalism. You’ve interviewed presidents and princes, actors and athletes. How would you compare the two worlds of television journalism’s more immediate rewards and the long-delayed gratification of the solitary writing life?

HPR: Yes, it’s so different! In TV, I’m always going at top speed, fast as I can, even in my intense investigative research, the watchword (after TRUTH) is always HURRY! In writing mysteries, you can’t force anything. I have my word count per day, because the book has to get done on time. But having the luxury of being able to think, you know, is wonderful. I love them both. The speed and immediacy of TV and how long it takes to write a book. It’s a treat to have that much time!

BWG: As someone accustomed to being in the public eye, do you think book promotion comes more naturally to you than to the average author? What should authors know about promotion that you've learned from your life in the media?

HPR: People want to like you. They want you to succeed. People are inclined to be supportive. And I am just as interested and curious about THEM, as I hope they are about me. Does book promotion come naturally? Ah… I’m not intimidated by public speaking, that’s for sure. But I am nervous, absolutely, every time. Bottom line, as in my TV reporting, I’m eager to tell the story.

BWG: You’re the president-elect of the national mystery-writers’ organization, Sisters in Crime. What does Sisters in Crime do for writers?

HPR: Oh, my goodness. I would not be here without Sisters in Crime. And I am incredibly honored to be the president-elect. Writing is solitary—it’s an incredible support system to have a group of people who are interested and involved in exactly the same thing as I am! It’s a fabulous resource for writing, promotion connections, publishing info, friendship, education, and just general pointing in the right direction. You know, here’s a video we made about exactly that question—my publisher wanted to give me a chance to say thank you to Sisters in Crime and the equally wonderful (and very similar) Mystery Writers of America—and here it is! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvGIcehlKq4

BWG: As you know, our contest will have submissions of a variety of genres. Our theme is “Winter Tales or Spring Stories.” Do you feel comfortable evaluating stories in vastly different genres?

HPR: Bring it on! How wonderful. Yes, a good story is a good story, right?

BWG: Under the category of “if I knew then what I know now,” what advice would you give to emerging writers?

HPR: I have two little rocks on my desk: one carved with the word “imagine,” and the other with “patience.” So I say–imagine success. A motto on my bulletin board—“what would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”

I went to a Judy Collins concert recently—and she told the story of running off to New York at age 16 to become a folksinger—bringing all of her songs with her. She then added—“Of course, I hadn’t written them yet.”

We all have our songs. We just have to write them.

Interview by BWG member Carol L. Wright