Interview with a Character: Matthew Scudder

When I started thinking about an “Interview with a Character” series, I wasn't sure how it would be received. I've always been a bookworm, and I clearly remember the days before the interwebs when I lived amongst people with whom this was not necessarily a badge of honor. Much to my joy, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Which made me brave enough to reach out to some of the authors whose characters are inextricably linked to my own life story, the characters I consider family. Like Matthew Scudder.

Since 1976 and through 17 novels, we have followed Scudder around New York. We’ve shared an early morning chat with Mick the Butcher. Cheered as his relationship with Elaine has triumphed. Giggled at TJ.  Shared Chinese food with Jim.

When I wrote to Lawrence Block asking for an interview with Scudder in advance of the impending release of A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF on May 12, I was fully prepared to get no response at all. I can’t quite describe the fangirl thrill when the answers arrived, and I’m excited to share them with you.

Enjoy!


1. If you had to move somewhere outside the tri-state area, where would you go?

Pete Hamill wrote a wonderful novel called FOREVER in which the hero is immortal so long as he remains within the five boroughs of New York; if he leaves, his life is over. I've a feeling I wouldn't last long outside of New York.

2. Some would say you've mellowed a bit with age. Do you think you have?

I'm the wrong person to answer that.  You'd have to ask someone else.

3. Are you registered to vote?

Yes.  But I don't always get to the polls.

4. New Yorkers have a singular skill when it comes to bitching about the weather. Yet it doesn't seem to bother you much. Is there any kind of weather you loathe?

It's a good day if the weather's the worst thing about it.

5. What's your favorite song about New York?

"My Time of Day" by Frank Loesser.

6.  If you were in a situation that put your life was in danger and you could choose just one person to be with you, who would it be?

Elaine. If things worked out, we'd celebrate.  If not, we'd be together.

A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF by Lawrence Block

A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF is the 17th installment of Lawrence Block’s legendary series focused on “favor do-er” and New York denizen Matthew Scudder.

Like many of us, I’ve known Scudder for a long time. We first met him in THE SINS OF THE FATHERS, originally published in 1976. He’s been with me through all of the major events in my life, and a new Scudder tale is cause for celebration. This one will be released on Thursday, May12; if having a first edition is important to you, you best pre-order a copy.

While many will read A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF because it's written by a legend, I’m heartily recommending it to everyone who enjoys a good story. You need not be a crime fiction aficionado nor familiar with the Scudder series to enjoy it. Also, many reviews will talk about the role of Alcoholics Anonymous in the story, but you don't need to be familiar with AA—nor, for that matter, sober—to enjoy it. And therein lies Lawrence Block’s genius.

Like many great stories, A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF is told in flashback, and like all of the Scudder tales, involves a cast of characters who are as gritty as they are compassionate, as honest as they are kind. A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF creates a world into which the reader plummets, whether you mean to or not.

So what’s it about? No easy answer here, because I suspect readers will come away from it having had differing experiences. Scudder’s search for redemption on behalf of a dead childhood friend leads him to unexpected places both physically and emotionally, and he brings us right along with him.

The beauty of A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF is that you will read it through your own lens. For some, it is a hard-boiled tale of murder and mayhem. For others, a glimpse into the journey of recovery. Still others will see it as a sort of a visitor’s guide to New York.  Regardless of your characterization, A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF is a classic.

Blurb: A classic tale from a master storyteller

Author’s Website: www.lawrenceblock.com


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Interview with a Character: James Lee Burke

When I think about my favorite literary characters, one that always leaps to the top of the list is Clete Purcel, Dave Robicheaux’s sidekick in the classic series by master storyteller James Lee Burke.

I think it no exaggeration to call Mr. Burke one of the greatest literary figures of our time in any genre. His extraordinary gift exceeds time, place and politics. I’ve discussed Mr. Burke’s books with people of all ages, from all over the world, and with backgrounds as varied as the shades of green in the Louisiana bayou, and they all agree that his stories ring true. His painfully human characters—not to mention a certain three-legged raccoon and cantankerous cat—have thrilled, entranced, and frightened readers for decades.

Mr. Burke’s characters could never be described as one-dimensional, and Clete Purcel is no exception. He is violent and passionate, living by a code rooted in history. He is eloquent and honest. He is a good man who occasionally does bad things…but generally—although not always—for the right reasons.

When I thought about a question to ask Clete, the first one that came to mind was about place. I can’t imagine Clete ever leaving Louisiana for more than a brief time. He is far too rooted in the place itself. That said, I thought it would be fun to ask him if he here to move somewhere outside Louisiana or its immediate environs, where that might be.

Understanding that asking to interview an author’s character is more than a little odd, I sent off my request to Mr. Burke. I’ve never met the man—I hope to one day have that honor—but I can tell you from my own online experience and those of others that he is a real gentleman, a true class act. Even after all these years and accolades, he appreciates his readers, and he’s willing to indulge us sharing his insight, wit and humor regularly through the discussion board on his website.

And just like his books themselves, his answer to my question—which he chose to answer as himself rather than as Clete—gave me a lot to think about, and reason to revisit another author whose work I had not read for many years. Here’s what he said:

Thanks for your question. The books and stories I have written have been set all over the United States and Mexico. For me understanding the backdrop is important in terms of understanding the character. I was heavily influenced by the early naturalists— [John] Steinbeck and [James T.] Farrell in particular—and I suspect that has much to do with treatment of place in my work.

I’ve been thinking a lot about “place as a character” this year, having read books like THE CYPRESS HOUSE and THE TERROR OF LIVING in which the setting of the story was a character in itself, as well as influencing the interactions within the story. To learn that JLB was influenced by Steinbeck (who joins him on every Top Five Authors list I’ve ever made) and Farrell (an author whose work I’ve been revisiting lately and loving as much as ever) was exciting to me. Kinda like getting a glimpse behind the wizard’s curtain.

I’m reading THE GLASS RAINBOW, the latest Dave Robicheaux tale, now. So far, it’s as good as my favorite in the series, JOLIE BLON’S BOUNCE. And, yes, Clete figures prominently in the story.

If you would like a sneak peek at the cover of FEAST DAY OF FOOLS, the new JLB book that comes out on September 27, check our James Lee Burke’s new Facebook page.

Special thanks for this post to Pamala Burke, who is the amazingly helpful force behind JLB's online presence.

What to Read Next

I've been browsing upcoming releases lately, and I've found some interesting titles, along with a few I've been lucky enough to get my hands on early (reviews of those coming soon!). In the interim, I thought it might be fun to have a list...so here you go.

I'm not recommending all these titles. heck, some I'll likely even give a pass myself. I still like to know what's out there, though.

If you have suggestions for titles that belong on this list, please let me know!

TITLE	AUTHOR	RELEASE DATE
SIXKILL	Robert B. Parker	May 3
A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF	Lawrence Block	May 12
HELL IS EMPTY	Craig Johnson	June 2
THE TWO DEATHS OF DANIEL HAYES	Marcus Sakey	June 9
BURIED SECRETS	Joe Finder	June 21
FALLEN	Karin Slaughter	June 21
LONG GONE	Alafair Burke	June 21
SMOKIN' SEVENTEEN	Janet Evanovich	June 21
THE DEVIL COLONY	James Rollins	June 21
THE SILENT GIRL	Tess Gerritsen	July 5
BLOODLINE	Mark Billingham	July 14
DARKNESS, MY OLD FRIEND	Lisa Unger	August 2
FEAST DAY FOR FOOLS	James Lee Burke	September 27
THE AFFAIR	Lee Child	October 18
11/22/63	Stephen King	November 8
THE DROP	Michael Connelly	November 29
THE BONE TREE	Greg Iles	December 6

What's Wrong with This Picture?

I like the St. Petersburg Times. It’s my local daily paper, and I’m glad that it is. It’s one of the lone remaining independent daily papers…that is, one that’s not owned by one of the Big Media Companies. It has some exceptional reporters, and takes its responsibility as a member of the community seriously.

It has—just like every newspaper everywhere—been hit hard by the recession.

At some point in the not-too-distant past, a meeting occurred at the paper. In this meeting, the people responsible for selling advertising and developing new revenue streams to keep the paper going had a brilliant idea: Help local businesses understand and effectively use social media.

Unfortunately, this is a case of a brilliant idea wasted because the communication of it it to those might actually purchase said services is sloppy at best, and damaging to the credibility of the St. Petersburg Times at worst, certainly where anything to do with social media is concerned.

Here’s the ad that ran in the April 5 edition:

What’s wrong with it? Let’s count, from the top down …

1. The headline is written in passive language. I’m sure the graphic designers could have worked with “Does social media confuse you?”

2. MySpace logo. Really?

3. Social media is not an important part of every business plan. And this kind of hyperbole is so 1988. Doing it wrong can indeed have devastating results, but there’s nothing in this ad to tell me that the St. Petersburg Times would do it right.

4. You’re a newspaper. And you’re selling content creation. Typos (like missing periods) are unacceptable.

5. Since you’re selling social media expertise, including, say, a Twitter handle would make sense. Just for kicks, I looked up Maryann on Twitter. And found her…maybe. How can she sell social media services or—worse—advise clients if she doesn’t have a social media presence herself? Not one single tweet? Oh wait, I know…she’s a guru.

The moral of the story? Simple. If you want to build a bookshelf, you’d hardly hire a plumber. Likewise if you want to participate in a community—even for a marketing purposes—talk to people who are already there.

Had I been a member of the St. Petersburg Times sales "team," I would have spoken with Eric Deggans and Michael Kruse, two of their reporters who really get social media.

Social media isn’t a big scary monster. It’s not the savior of every American business. But it is a valuable marketing tactic…when it’s really done right.

Just ask Carter Ross.

Interview with a Character: Carter Ross (Part Three)

Welcome to the final installment of interviews with Carter Ross. It's been fantastic working with Brad Parks on this, and I'm eternally in his debt for the opportunity!


Carter Ross is in the final round of the World's Favorite Amateur Sleuth Competition. Don't forget to vote!

1. You've made it to the final round of the World's Favorite Amateur Sleuth Competition. Did you expect to get this far? Any comment for your fans?

To be honest? It's a little weird. People don't generally like reporters this much (in my experience, they prefer to slam doors in our faces). But, as I believe has been pointed out--by someone who looks a lot like you, Erin--print journalists need all the help we can get these days.

So this has been a thrill for me and all my ink-stained colleagues, especially when you look at the heavyweights who didn't make it this far. Jack Reacher? He could fold me like origami and stuff me in his breast pocket next to his toothbrush. Stella Hardesty? Let's just say no guy wants to see her in any context. And I'm glad Nancy Drew didn't make it to the finals. I'm not sure how that crusty old coot Miss Marple beat her in the semis, but thank goodness she did--I think even my mom would have voted for Nancy Drew over me.

2. You seem to have little fear in going wherever a story takes you. Is there anywhere you wouldn't go?

I'm not sure I would have gone to Iraq after the invasion in 2002. They were cutting off foreigners' heads, you know? I can't say mine has always been good for much, but I at least like it still attached to my shoulders. Plus, I'm not sure I'd ever want to be in a place where I couldn't talk my way out of a problem. But, here, in the good ol' You-Ess-of-A? I'm pretty much game for anything. I believe in the stories I write. I believe they matter. And I believe that Deadline the Cat will be well taken care of in my will (Tina has promised she'd take him in). So... bring it on.

3. Your creator, Brad Parks, won both the Shamus and Nero Awards. Have you ever had visions of awards...is there a Pulitzer in your future?

Yeah, that Parks guy has done okay for himself. Of course, I do give him pretty good material. As for my own aspirations? Look, I'd be lying if I said I didn't dream about winning Joey P's prize. I'd like to think I was close with my reporting about the National Drug Bureau. It takes the right combination of circumstances: a great, topical story; sources who will let you go places most journalists don't get to go; editors who can resist their natural urge to screw things up. Oh, and it helps if the Washington Post or New York Times doesn't have some blockbuster in your category that year. I'm hopeful it might happen for me someday. But, in the meantime, winning the title of World's Favorite Amateur Sleuth would be a pretty nice back-up.