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You have written police procedurals (such as your Thinnes and Caleb series), psychological suspense (The Fall) and even time travel mixed with romance (The Cymry Ring)---was it intentional on your part to write these different types of books?
I write the stories that come to me. I’ve also written a rural police procedural with references to ancient Greek stories (Death in West Wheeling).
Do you find that your readers, of say the police procedurals, will also read your other books?
I have a few fans who seem to try whatever I write; I’m not really sure who else reads my books. I don’t get much feedback.
When you first started out, you tried unsuccessfully to sell your screenplays to Hollywood; is this something you may try to do once again in the future?
Yes, but it’s like trying to win the lottery. I’m not quitting my day job.
When people hear the names Michael Allen, they presume you’re a man. Is that your real name? How did that come about?
I didn’t like the name my parents gave me, so I changed it. Your real name is the name you make for yourself.
You have degrees in chemistry and law enforcement. How have these degrees helped you in your writing?
You have to write what you know if you want to be convincing, but most people’s experience is very limited. The law enforcement degree gave me enough basic information to ask intelligent questions. The chemistry degree enables me to read ingredients on labels. Just about any kind of degree teaches you to write papers and do research.
Your book, The White Tiger, (published in 2005), deals with the horrors of the Vietnam War. Do you think there is any parallel to what is happening now with the war in Iraq?
“Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it.”
You also write a blog called ‘The Outfit’ that you share with other mystery writers, including Sara Paretsky and Libby Fischer Hellmann. Why did you decide to start blogging? Is it difficult sharing the blog with other writers?
Libby (Fischer Hellmann) talked me into it. Like all other shared work, it’s not as hard as if you were working alone.
When did you first know you wanted to write mysteries?
When I met Barbara D’Amato. She was so generous and supportive, that she convinced me I could do it.
Do you prefer to write during a specific time of day (e.g. early morning, night, etc.)?
No. I prefer not to write at all—it’s hard work. But sometimes I’m driven to do it because not writing is harder.
Do you have any superstitious steps you follow when preparing to write?
No.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started?
Publishers want a book a year, though they won’t always tell you that, and if you go longer than 18 months between books, you’re starting all over from scratch.
What is your pet peeve?
People who don’t bother to learn their craft—ever. (See my blog of 21 February, 2007, “Object in Mirror,” and “the godmother is crabby” by Barbara D'Amato July 27, 2006)
What can’t you live without?
Books.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing writers now?
Competing with all the other diversions that cost people’s time and money. It’s easier for most people to watch a movie or cable show than hunt down a book and read it. And getting people to read anything (even traffic signs) is a challenge.
What makes a successful writer?
I have no clue. Writing what I want to makes me a happy writer.
Are there ever circumstances under which you think a writer should censor her writing?
Well, I wouldn’t include a working recipe for C-4 in a book.
If you could take the place of another writer for the day, who would it be and why?
I wouldn’t trade places with anyone, I wouldn’t mind trading bank accounts with Michael Connelly or Stephen King.
Do you think the Internet age will lead to a decrease in book readers and buyers?
Real books, yes. But people will always want stories in some form.
Do you believe authors should take on more of a role in marketing themselves to the public so as to generate book sales?
It’s not a matter of should. Authors who don’t do some sort of marketing usually cease to be published.
If someone was making a movie about your life, what would be the title of the movie?
Boring. Most of the writers I’ve discussed it with started out as readers or daydreamers. Like reading, writing is usually some sort of wish fulfillment—we write to spice up our ordinary existences and identify with someone braver or smarter or more beautiful.
What would you want your epitaph to be?
Writer.
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