Crime month is drawing to a close here on my blog. For my last interview, I’ve invited Carlyle Clark author of the crime thriller THE BLACK SONG INSIDE.
Thanks for being my guest today, Carlyle!
Thank you for having me, Audra; it’s a pleasure.
Who’s your favorite criminal mastermind (real or fictional) and why?
I’ll have to go with Keyser Söze from THE USUAL SUSPECTS. I loved the idea of a mastermind who would basically go undercover and manipulate other intelligent criminals into doing his bidding. And that he would be willing to disguise himself as the “least” of them to do it. And then the whole interview interchange throughout the movie was just so fun.
What type of research have you done for this series?
In general, I read a lot about the mechanics of drug smuggling and researched artificial legs. In particular, the research seemed endless. I was constantly Googling things: flora and fauna in the Anza-Borrego desert, Spanish architecture in the American Southwest, automatic shotguns, what those sweaters are with the patches on the shoulders that British Commandos wear are called (incidentally they’re just called commando sweaters, apparently.), etcetera, etcetera.
What made you decide to write in this genre?
Well, it wasn’t really a decision. I had an idea and I went with it. Ironically, the original idea didn’t make it in the final novel, but the idea lived on. Once I started I began thinking about what I wanted to do. Having read a ton in the genre I had a pretty good idea of what was expected, but I didn’t want to do something that was just like what was already out there. I also didn’t want to do some different just to do something different. Finally, I settled on writing the sort of thriller I would want to read, dark, funny, an action-packed with flawed but compelling protagonists you can root for and a unique villain.
What’s your latest novel about, in 25 words or less?
THE BLACK SONG INSIDE is a vivid crime thriller rife with murder, madness, gallows humor and the heroism of two flawed and compelling protagonists. -- Ha! Pulled it off with a word to spare.
THIS or THAT?
This. Couldn’t resist.
Mystery or Thriller?
Since I could get stuck with Cozies if I chose mystery I’ll have to go with thriller. Nothing wrong with cozies, but they just don’t work for me. I prefer stories focused on the fringes of society.
Scooby Doo or Carmen San Diego?
I have to go with Carmen San Diego for the wholly irrelevant reason that I am from San Diego, the city, not Carmen—unless I have been seriously misled.
Criminal Minds or Dexter?
Dexter hands down – Of course I’ve never seen Criminal Minds, so like usual, I make a crucial decision half-cloaked in ignorance.
Planner or Pantser?
Pantser – I have a basic idea when I start and then the fun begins as I try to entertain myself since I figure that oughta entertain the readers also. It’s also more fun for me to come at the blank page fresh with possibility every time.
Where can we find out more about your books?
You can check out my Blog or my Amazon Author’s Page. By the way, THE BLACK SONG INSIDE is half price until the end of January as part of Amazon’s 20 Kindle Books for $2 promotion.
Thanks for being my guest today, Carlyle!
Thank you for having me, Audra; it’s a pleasure.
Who’s your favorite criminal mastermind (real or fictional) and why?
I’ll have to go with Keyser Söze from THE USUAL SUSPECTS. I loved the idea of a mastermind who would basically go undercover and manipulate other intelligent criminals into doing his bidding. And that he would be willing to disguise himself as the “least” of them to do it. And then the whole interview interchange throughout the movie was just so fun.
What type of research have you done for this series?
In general, I read a lot about the mechanics of drug smuggling and researched artificial legs. In particular, the research seemed endless. I was constantly Googling things: flora and fauna in the Anza-Borrego desert, Spanish architecture in the American Southwest, automatic shotguns, what those sweaters are with the patches on the shoulders that British Commandos wear are called (incidentally they’re just called commando sweaters, apparently.), etcetera, etcetera.
What made you decide to write in this genre?
Well, it wasn’t really a decision. I had an idea and I went with it. Ironically, the original idea didn’t make it in the final novel, but the idea lived on. Once I started I began thinking about what I wanted to do. Having read a ton in the genre I had a pretty good idea of what was expected, but I didn’t want to do something that was just like what was already out there. I also didn’t want to do some different just to do something different. Finally, I settled on writing the sort of thriller I would want to read, dark, funny, an action-packed with flawed but compelling protagonists you can root for and a unique villain.
What’s your latest novel about, in 25 words or less?
THE BLACK SONG INSIDE is a vivid crime thriller rife with murder, madness, gallows humor and the heroism of two flawed and compelling protagonists. -- Ha! Pulled it off with a word to spare.
THIS or THAT?
This. Couldn’t resist.
Mystery or Thriller?
Since I could get stuck with Cozies if I chose mystery I’ll have to go with thriller. Nothing wrong with cozies, but they just don’t work for me. I prefer stories focused on the fringes of society.
Scooby Doo or Carmen San Diego?
I have to go with Carmen San Diego for the wholly irrelevant reason that I am from San Diego, the city, not Carmen—unless I have been seriously misled.
Criminal Minds or Dexter?
Dexter hands down – Of course I’ve never seen Criminal Minds, so like usual, I make a crucial decision half-cloaked in ignorance.
Planner or Pantser?
Pantser – I have a basic idea when I start and then the fun begins as I try to entertain myself since I figure that oughta entertain the readers also. It’s also more fun for me to come at the blank page fresh with possibility every time.
Where can we find out more about your books?
You can check out my Blog or my Amazon Author’s Page. By the way, THE BLACK SONG INSIDE is half price until the end of January as part of Amazon’s 20 Kindle Books for $2 promotion.
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