When I was with ATF's press office, I worked with some outstanding people in some extraordinary times. One of my colleagues, and later my supervisor, Susan McCarron (now Susan Boyd) was an intelligent, excellent professional, devoted to our bureau. When I recently heard she had written a novel, I got in touch with her to hear about her writing experience. Here's our interview. Can you tell me a little bit about your background, and how you used your knowledge of law enforcement in this book? And of course, can you tell us a little bit about the book?
I retired after over thirty years with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), where I started as a field inspector. During my career, I held supervisory and management positions both in field offices and in headquarters, including ATF's Public Affairs Office through the aftermath of Waco and the investigation of the Oklahoma City bombing. Working in a law enforcement environment, the unique office atmosphere and interaction between employees can't help but rub off — the assertive personalities and office shenanigans to break tension. Interview techniques, including body language, are an integral part any investigation.
Secrets of the Charles is the story of three generations of women solving a cold case murder. The book starts when a teenage Jack O'Shea witnesses his mother, Julia's, corpse by the Charles River in Boston. Over fifty years later, Jack's high school sweetheart (Kate), their daughter (Lilith), and grand-daughter (Alexa) work with two police detectives to uncover the truth to murder. They follow the few clues left in a dusty evidence box, Kate's recollection of her young life with Jack, and Lilith's recurring nightmare to piece together the secrets, lies, and dreams of families intertwined in Julia's life and death.
What made you decide to write this book?
Like so many people, I felt the urge to write for years, but couldn't find the time until I retired. The story line emerged from an experience when I was 14. I was a volunteer with the Red Cross in Charleston, WV, when someone came up with the brilliant idea (note sarcasm here) to load a bunch of teenaged girls into a station wagon and take them to the state insane asylum to sponsor a picnic for the patients. After a tour of the first floor, we came across a teenaged boy sitting in a catatonic state on a side porch. One of the girls knew him from high school, and told us his story. He was by the Kanawha River in Charleston when he saw police activity. The police were pulling a body from the river — his mother. I never knew his name, the circumstances of his mother's death, or what happened to him. So, as writers will do, I made it up.
Did you plot out the storyline ahead time, or let the muse dictate?
I pretty much let the muse dictate my stories. In fact, I didn't figure out who committed the murder until I had written about half the book. Of course then I had to go back and amend the story line a bit.
Did you write everyday? Many writers stick to a schedule...did you feel this helped you?
I do not write every day — I'm just not that disciplined. But I do write whole chapters when I sit at the computer. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), my other activities and interests don't afford me the time to schedule specific times for writing.
Did you use an editor, good friends who served as readers, or a critique group to look at it and offer suggestions?
My cousins were the first to read the first draft of the book. They grew up in the Boston area, and gave me good insight into life there in the fifties and sixties. A few other friends and family members read drafts and gave me input. I belong to a critique group, and the comments and suggestions I received from them were very encouraging and helpful. Since it's so difficult for any writer to spot her own errors, I paid an editor to review the final draft for both grammar and content.
How have you been promoting your book, and how have sales been going?
I'll be the first to admit marketing is the difficult part of writing. The first thing I did after having the book published was send an email to everyone on my email list. I also joined Facebook and found some old college friends to inform. Friends have held two book signing parties for me so far. I've also been invited to four book club meetings. I purchased an ad in the program for the Florida Writers Association conference, but would not do it again (just not enough exposure). I sold a few books at a small book fair in town, and will have a table at a larger fair in February. I still need to put together a press package to send to various media outlets, both down here and in the Boston area. To be honest, I've resisted setting up a webpage or blog for fear of being tied to the computer more than I am now. Book sales have been okay — not stellar. But considering my mediocre marketing, I'm not displeased.
How did you find a publisher?
After receiving rejections from about 25 agents and publishers, I decided to take the self-publishing route. (Frankly, if I waited too long to find an agent or publisher, one of my main characters, Kate, would get too old.) I bought two books that rate the many companies in the business, and decided on Dog Ear Publishing. I've been pleased with them.
Where can people get your book?
The book is available in both paperback and ebook format from Amazon and Barnes & Nobles' website.
What is next on the horizon for you?
I'm about three-quarters of the way writing a sequel to Secrets of the Charles. I also continue to write short stories — an exercise I highly recommend to all writers for a sense of completion and to take a break from any novel.
Thank you for joining us, Susan!
It is my pleasure, Kris!
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