M.J. Payne
asked
E.Michael Helms:
I am reading a pre-publication issue of DEADLY SPIRITS and it is hot hot hot. You know that song they sing in the Bahamas? What makes some books more fun to write than others? Is it as exciting to write a book that is gut-wrenching as many of yours in other genres are than writing a mystery that has a bit of a different purpose and certainly tone?
E.Michael Helms
Hi, M.J.!
I enjoy writing mysteries more than my earlier works which mostly dealt with war and its effects and aftermaths. Writing those books (war) meant dredging up old and painful memories/experiences to give them authenticity. Even when writing about the Civil War I still had to call forth those old "ghosts" from the past.
With the mystery series I'm free to make stuff up and let the story go where the characters take me. It's much lighter writing, even though there is violence and even murder in them. I don't have to recall all the pain from the past to feed the storyline. I hope I've answered your question and not confused you. Thanks again!
I enjoy writing mysteries more than my earlier works which mostly dealt with war and its effects and aftermaths. Writing those books (war) meant dredging up old and painful memories/experiences to give them authenticity. Even when writing about the Civil War I still had to call forth those old "ghosts" from the past.
With the mystery series I'm free to make stuff up and let the story go where the characters take me. It's much lighter writing, even though there is violence and even murder in them. I don't have to recall all the pain from the past to feed the storyline. I hope I've answered your question and not confused you. Thanks again!
More Answered Questions
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more