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Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed author Saralyn Richard about her writing career, what inspires her, and the creative work that went into her new book; A Murder Of Principal.
I’m a former educator who’s always wanted to write stories. I’ve published a children’s book, an adult mystery series, two standalone mystery novels, and many stories and essays. An American Anglophile, I admire English literature, drama, history, culture, and geography, and I once had a letter from Agatha Christie.
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to write a book. I started reading early, and I remember thinking how great it would be to create the stories people read.
When I was in high school, two teachers encouraged my talent for writing. One of them required me to enter every writing contest she could lay her hands on. I didn’t appreciate those assignments at the time, but when I started winning the contests, I understood, and now I’m grateful.
The children’s book took about two years to complete. Most people are surprised by that, since it’s only 32 pages long. My first mystery novel took three and a half years from idea to release, half of that time in the traditional publishing process.
Subsequent books have taken less time to write and to publish. One positive side effect of the pandemic has been plenty of time to write and edit.
A MURDER OF PRINCIPAL, released in February, 2021, takes place in an American urban high school. A maverick principal brings student-centered change, causing dissension, rivalry, jealousy, lust, and anger. Having spent many years in the trenches of urban high schools, I wanted to shine a light on some of the joys and challenges of working in that environment, as well as to entertain readers with a fun intellectual and emotional whodunit.
The hardest part of writing the book was killing the principal. He was such a fully-formed character, dedicated to doing the right thing for students. I hated to kill him off, especially so early in the book, but, as a murder mystery, the book needed a murder. I did write a number of scenes after the murder where the principal’s beliefs and practices are kept alive after his death.
In real life I’ve worked with dozens of principals, hundreds of teachers, and thousands of students. I’ve formed distinct opinions of which ones served their constituents best and which ones fell short. Those opinions inspired the creation of the book’s protagonist, antagonist, and characters.
Readers who know schools tell me the characters are so authentic, they can match each one with someone they know. I believe this speaks to the universality of experiences in schools.
See above.
The first day of school with a new principal and a new (uncomfortable) agenda.
As in all murder mysteries, the conflict revolves around finding the murderer and bringing him to justice. In this case, the assistant principal also struggles to end the cycle of violence and restore the high school community to safety, success, and peace.
I’m mostly a pantser. I start with my characters and a general idea of beginning, middle, and end, but once those are established in my mind, I let the characters act out the story. As I record what they say and do, I am continually delighted and sometimes surprised, just as the reader will be.
I’m often told I’m a “clean writer.” Years of teaching English and editing the writing of others has contributed to that. Still, every writer benefits from good editors, and I’m fortunate to have feedback from my alpha reader, several beta readers, and my publisher’s editing staff.
Make sure when you write, you are enjoying the process. A joyful writer produces a joyful reader.
I have a new mystery/thriller available for pre-order entitled BAD BLOOD SISTERS, to be released March 9, 2022. Here’s what it’s about: Quinn McFarland has grown up around dead bodies…
Quinn’s always joked about death, but this summer, death stops being funny. For one thing, her brother finally undergoes transplant surgery. For another, Quinn’s estranged BFF, her “blood” sister, is brought into the family mortuary, bludgeoned to death.
Quinn’s haunted by the past, her friendship gone awry, and the blood oath she’s sworn to keep secret. The police consider her a person of interest, and someone threatens her not to talk. Quinn is the only one who knows enough to bring the killer to justice, but what she’s buried puts her in extreme danger.
Fans of Lisa Jewell, Shari Lapena, and “Six Feet Under” will stay up late reading BAD BLOOD SISTERS.
Writing is at times the most fascinating, at times the most challenging, but always the most personally rewarding occupation I’ve undertaken. Every new book is an accomplishment, a new baby birthed into the world. Every book brings with it so many opportunities for personal growth and connection with readers. Interacting with readers is by far the best part.
Social media links: https://twitter.com/SaralynRichard
https://www.facebook.com/saralyn.richard, https://www.twitter.com/SaralynRichard, https://www.linkedin.com/in/saralyn-richard-b06b6355/, https://www.pinterest.com/saralynrichard/, https://www.instagram.com/naughty_nana_sheepdog/
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/saralyn-richard
Website: http://saralynrichard.com
Buy links for A Murder of Principal: https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Principal-Saralyn-Richard/dp/1645991326/
A Murder of Principal by Saralyn Richard, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)
Buy links for Bad Blood Sisters: https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Blood-Sisters-Saralyn-Richard/dp/1645993205/ref=
Bad Blood Sisters by Saralyn Richard, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)
All books, including the children’s book, Naughty Nana, and the Detective Parrott mystery series, can be purchased on the bookstore page at http://saralynrichard.com.
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