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1. How do you write together and keep from killing
each other?
Good question! When we first decided to become team writers we
weren't at all sure we could blend our very different writing styles
without skirmishes or outright warfare. We knew we loved the plotting
process. When we're together we walk. And we talk. Repeat those
last two sentences several times and it describes our favorite sister
times. We talked our way into a plot outline for REUNION FOR THE
FIRST TIME and then ran for some paper and a pen when we finished
our walk. We created a scene map and divided the scenes equally
between us. Then we hunkered down in our respective home offices
- Kathie in New Jersey and Pat in Illinois. Ah there's the key!
Only kidding. We really loved every minute and never exchanged a
single cross word. Really.
2. Where do you get your story ideas?
That's definitely a question for Kathie. She is so imaginative.
Might be because she had an imaginary friend when she was little
- Charlie. She either cast blame on Charlie for little naughty things
she was suspected of doing by our Mom OR she blamed Pat. Kathie
wants to interject here…It was Pat.
3. Who writes the male POV in your books?
We both do. It depends on the scene we're assigned. For us it makes
the writing experience richer to have all the characters talking
in our heads. And we think it makes a much better book. We blend
our two distinctive literary voices into one unique voice.
4. Your heroines or heroes all have to deal
with the death of loved ones. Do either of you write from experience?
Yes, we both do. Our father died when Pat was 19 and Kathie was
15. He was a seemingly healthy, strong housepainter one day and
eleven days later he had succumbed to acute leukemia. The shock
of that loss was devastating to us. He was a loving, lyrical Irishman
who adored us and spoiled us rotten. Our mother was utterly devastated
by the loss of her husband. Witnessing her grief, and trying to
comfort her through it, had a profound effect on us, also.
5. Your books have comforting, healing themes,
though.
Yes they do. Love heals. We know this from experience, also.
6. Your second book, AGAINST DOCTORS ORDERS,
begins a series featuring the Sullivan brothers and they're all
involved in law enforcement. How do you know so much about policemen?
We have Lieutenant Frank Cargola, a brave law enforcement officer
in suburban Chicago, to thank for all of it. He patiently answers
any question and analyzes any goofy scenario we dream up to make
sure we're at least in the world of possibility.
7. The emergency room scenes with Dr. Molly
Jordan are very realistic. Do you have medical backgrounds?
Nope. Pat worked for a pharmaceutical company and has a pretty
good handle on some medical terminology and we both hated the shots
that Dr. Cole, our real life pediatrician, gave us. But we owe the
accuracy of medical scenes to Drs. Brandon Kramer and Michael Maugeri.
They are wonderful physicians and kind, generous friends.
8. Are any of your characters based on real
people?
Not a one. Except we name a female character and a male character
after our parents in each book. They always play secondary roles
but we think they have a lot of fun getting into our action. |
