| BIO
William Bernhardt is the author of fourteen books, including PRIMARY JUSTICE, PERFECT JUSTICE, DOUBLE JEPOPARDY, NAKED JUSTICE (which led Library Journal to dub the author "master of the courtroom drama") SILENT JUSTICE and MURDER ONE. He has twice won the Oklahoma Book Award for Best Fiction and in 2000 he was presented the H. Louise Cobb Distinguished Author Award (in recognition of an outstanding body of work that has profoundly influenced the way in which we understand ourselves and American society at large). A former trial attorney, Bernhardt has received several awards for his public service. He lives in Tulsa with his wife, Kirsten, and their children, Harry, Alice and Ralph.
INTERVIEW
 September 21, 2007
William Bernhardt is the bestselling author of more than 20 novels, including PRIMARY JUSTICE, MURDER ONE, CRIMINAL INTENT, DEATH ROW, HATE CRIME, CAPITOL MURDER and CAPITOL THREAT. His latest work of fiction, STRIP SEARCH, is a sequel to DARK EYE featuring Las Vegas police behaviorist Susan Pulaski and math savant Darcy O'Bannon. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Maggie Harding, Bernhardt discusses the inspiration behind his protagonists and explains how --- through research and personal experience --- he is able to portray a troubled woman and an autistic man accurately. He also describes his hectic writing schedule, shares his amazement over the response he's received from readers and reveals details about his future projects.
Bookreporter.com: In STRIP SEARCH you continue the relationship between Darcy O'Bannon and Susan Pulaski that began in DARK EYE. Is either character based on anyone you have known? How difficult was it to write the dialogue between them?
William Bernhardt: I've worked with cops, and I've worked with autistic kids, so actually, their dialogue came easier than you might imagine. When I was writing their first-person viewpoint chapters, though, it was more challenging. Trying to come up with a way to represent the autistic mind on paper took a lot of contemplation --- and many drafts. And now, in this sequel, you can see how Darcy's voice has evolved as a result of his relationship with Susan.
BRC: Your portrayal of Darcy, the autistic math savant, is so right on. Have you had personal experience with autism? Is it realistic to think that Darcy can complete the rigors of the Police Academy? Do you ever wonder how readers will accept a character like Darcy?
WB: Darcy is basically my 16-year old son Harry grown up --- very bright, very high functioning. I personally think Harry could become anything he wants.
BRC: It is hard to accept the distrust and disdain that Susan faces from fellow officers in STRIP SEARCH. Why do they blame her for her husband's death?
WB: I can't answer that question without giving away the plot surprises of DARK EYE. I will have to pass and just suggest that the curious should read the first book. When you know all the details, I don't think it's hard to accept at all.
BRC: Does the fact that the villain in STRIP SEARCH is a victim of generational sin (or evil) excuse, in any way, the evil deeds that that person perpetrates? Is there any other way that person could have responded to his/her abuse?
WB: I don't think it excuses it, but one of the several characteristics that profilers have discovered to be true in virtually all serial-killer cases is child abuse of some sort or another.
BRC: It always amazes me how accurately some men are able to get inside a female character's head. There is a little Susan Pulaski in every woman, and her struggles with addiction are so realistic. How did you research that aspect of her character?
WB: I researched it by paying attention to the people around me (the same way I research any other character, male or female). Growing up with three sisters probably didn't hurt, either (with understanding women, not because they're alcoholics!). I've never believed that only women can write female characters. Some of the classic females of fiction were written by men: Anna Karenina, Molly Bloom, Tess of the D'Urbervilles.
BRC: Toward the end of STRIP SEARCH, Susan seems to have pulled herself together. Will she have some ongoing support now that her best friend is gone? Readers are bound to be rooting for her. Will she eventually accept help from some quarter?
WB: I've always seen this series as a trilogy and I would like to do one more book that lets Susan get her head together, find the support system she needs and get on with her life. Darcy makes giant leaps in this book. I think it's her turn now. Whether I'll get to write that third book, though, remains to be seen.
BRC: What prompted you to move away from your successful Ben Kincaid series and create Susan and Darcy?
WB: I've always tried to do something else between Ben books. I love writing Ben and I'm grateful the character has been so successful, but I don't want that to be the only thing I write. I do better with Ben when I can come back after a break.
BRC: Have you ever imagined the Ben Kincaid series as a television program? I have a cast in mind right now! Do you enjoy watching TV? How about "Boston Legal"?
WB: I haven't seen "Boston Legal" very often, but I love the idea of a Ben Kincaid series. Given a good showrunner and writers, I think it could be very successful. Who would you cast?
BRC: What finally pushed you into a writing career after being a successful attorney for 10 years? When did you feel that you had "made it" as a successful writer?
WB: I didn't have to be pushed. All I've ever wanted to be since I was seven years old is a writer. Practicing law was a way to make a living (though a darn good one).
BRC: As far as your writing process is concerned, what is a typical day like in the Bernhardt house when you are in the midst of working on a book?
WB: Drag the kids out of bed, get them ready for school, take them to school, exercise, sit in my chair, put the keyboard in my lap and stay put till the work is done (or the kids come home, whichever comes first).
BRC: What do you enjoy doing when you feel you've earned some free time?
WB: Read, obviously. Play the piano, compose a little. I love board games, especially Scrabble. Love to travel.
BRC: What kind of response have you gotten from your website? What do you like the most about hearing from your fans?
WB: I'm amazed that people are actually reading my blog, even though my entries come pretty erratically. I also love getting e-mail from readers. I get so much insight into what works (and what doesn't), far more than I get from reviews.
BRC: What are you working on now, and when might readers expect to see it?
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WB: The next Ben Kincaid book, CAPITOL CONSPIRACY, is already finished. It comes out in January. I'm working on a historical novel involving Eliot Ness, post-Capone. It's a real challenge, trying to get the facts right and bring the historical figures to life, but it's a great story, almost Greek tragedy in theme and Faulknerian in scope.
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