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QUESTIONS FROM READERS

Heather Graham answers readers' questions about her interest in Edgar Allan Poe, beliefs in the supernatural, and favorite authors and genres.

Elaine from Fenton, MO: Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?
 
Heather Graham: Elaine --- I'm usually struck by something that's happened around me and I build a story from there. THE DEATH DEALER came about because of a friend of mine, a Miami-Dade police officer, who reported to an accident. A man told him to help his little girl out of the back of the car; the cars later exploded, and he found out that the man had been killed on impact. Too intriguing not to use!
 
Anne from Muncie, IN: I was amazed at the information on Edgar Allan Poe. What brought you to the point that you decided to use him as a focus for two novels?
 
Heather Graham: Anne --- I have loved Poe since I was a little girl. I happened upon an article about the "lost days" before his death. I always found it incredibly sad that he could be such a genius --- and so self-destructive. Also, I found it fascinating that he built “The Mystery of Marie Roget” around the real murder of Mary Rogers. The history of New York City also fascinates me. Today, it's theater, lights, business, shopping --- and yet, it has an incredibly rich past.
 
Doris from Maple Ridge, BC: Your past few books have the supernatural/paranormal elements in the storyline. Do you believe in the possibility of spirits coming back to loved ones to guide them and send them messages?
 
Heather Graham: Doris --- I don't discount any possibilities, but I don't particularly believe any one train of thought on death or ghosts. I'll just say I'm open. I do believe in a supreme being, God, if you will, and an afterlife. Whether that's because I've lost so many family members and have to believe that I'll see them again, I don't know. But there are so many documented incidents of strange events out there, I think that I'll keep an open mind!
 
Janet from Foreman, AK: In reading your information on Bookreporter.com, I am amazed at the volume of work that you have produced. When you begin writing, do you have a story-board or an outline that predetermines how the work will progress? Do you have the novel plotted and written in your mind before you begin to write? Does your writing stay within the original plan or change with character development?
 
Heather Graham: Janet --- I usually start with a situation, idea or person and build a story from that point. Most writing is, I think, done in the head. If it gels in the head first, it goes down nice and smoothly on paper. I don't actually story-board, but I do an outline and a synopsis. Most of the time, yes, there is some change before a story is completed. Often, you're in the middle of a story when it seems most logical to take a detour. Sometimes, in the middle, something arises from the story itself that you hadn't thought about before. To me, though, the beauty of an outline is that you have an idea about what you want. It may change, but it's still a structure, something to follow --- until that detour comes along.
 
Wendy from Brampton, ON: What is your favorite novel? Who is your favorite author?
 
Heather Graham: Wendy --- I don't have a favorite author. I love too many --- my contemporaries and many long gone. I read everything, nonfiction, and every conceivable genre of fiction. I have always loved Poe, Dickens, Shakespeare and others --- and I love comedy and tragedy from today's authors. One of many of my all-time favorite books is A TALE OF TWO CITIES. I've reread it with five kids every time they were assigned the book in school. It never fails to wrench the heart, or remind us of the best and the worst regarding the human spirit. As far as Poe goes, there are so many of his works I have loved. But if you're studying writing, take a look at “The Tell-Tale Heart.” His use of the "eye" in the story is amazing!

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