It’s lovely to have this opportunity to welcome Ann McGinnis to an interview on my blog. She is the author of Scarlet Revenge, featuring Analyst Caycee Scarlet. Caycee is brash, brilliant & brutally relentless when tracking a serial killer. But she also has a temper, problems with authority figures and recognizing the chain of command. Sparks fly between her and her boss, handsome Special Agent Gil Graham as they track down killers and bombers. Ann’s second book in this series, Scarlet Envy , will be coming out soon!

My interview with Ann:

1. Tell us something about yourself and how you got into writing.
I grew up hearing stories. My dad was an Air Force pilot and when his buddies visited, they’d always have some tall tale to tell. I loved hearing the stories and they inspired me to write my own.

2. How did you decide on this genre and on your unusual protagonist, the fiery Caycee?
I’m drawn to thrillers and action. That’s what I read and watch, so it was just natural to also write my own. Caycee is the kind of girl I’d like to be, if I had no filters and if I were the smartest person in the room. Ha.

3. What did you find easiest when writing ‘Scarlet Revenge’, and what was hardest?
‘Scarlet Revenge’ was based on a screenplay I wrote titled ‘Lesser2evils’. So, the easiest part to write was the part covered in the screenplay – which is all about Caycee battling the serial killer. I actually found it fun to add the romance, as a relationship between Caycee and her boss was implied in the script. It was nice to get a chance to add it to the storyline. The hardest part was my writing schedule. I wanted to finish the manuscript before New Years 2013, so it could be published at the beginning of 2014. Which meant, I had to write the book in two months. I did it, but had several marathon writing sessions. I finished the manuscript on the day before New Year’s Eve.

4. How did you do your research to make the book authentic?
I researched the FBI and serial killers online. I found a lot of useful information from the FBI’s website about titles and other operational details. I also found some online forums of former FBI and that was interesting. I’ve also met some secret service agents – not FBI – but having met some gave me a good feeling for how they carry themselves professionally. Of course, for Caycee, I broke all those rules.

5. I can see that your second book in the series is taking shape. Did you plan on this when you started the first book?
Yes, I plotted out a three-book story arc. I wanted to have a storyline that begins and ends in each book, but also a storyline that carries over for all three books. The second book will be called ‘Scarlet Envy’ and the third is ‘Scarlet Fury’.

6. What are the advantages of having a character feature in a series?
Being able to take multiple characters throughout a series is great, because I’m able to get deeper into the things that make them tick. For instance, ‘Scarlet Revenge’ only deals with the beginning of Caycee’s and Gil’s relationship. They are still in the ‘honeymoon’ part of their relationship, due to the story only covering a short period of time. Everyone is still on their best behavior and making things work. In Book 2 & 3, they’ve had more time together and their relationship changes/evolves. It’s nice to have the time to develop that part of the story.

7. Who are your favourite authors? Any particular ones in the thriller genre?
I love the big guys like John Grisham and Robert Ludlum. I grew up on those. In romance, one of my favorite authors is Jennifer Crusie. I love her mixture of romance, mystery and humor.

8. Are you working on anything else besides the sequel?
I’m also a screenwriter and write under the name Ann Kimbrough. I’m currently working on a re-write assignment for a psychological thriller set for production in 2015.

9. Tell us about your work process. Plot or character first? Do you make an elaborate outline, or fly by the seat of your pants?
Since I started in screenwriting, I’m a big believer in outlines. Plot and character get equal attention, though, as I like both to drive my story. The plot must keep my audience on the edge of their seats, and the characters must make them scream for more! But to answer your question, I start with a spark of something that interests me. That can be anything from a suspenseful situation to an intriguing character. Then, I go to the plot. I have to know where my story is going, before I can add the other elements. I stay open for moments of inspiration or ‘aha’ ideas. But, if I can stick to my outline, it makes the writing faster.

10. How do you switch between your different writing persona when writing different kinds of books? And why have you chosen a different name for each series?
I write under the names Ann McGinnis for romance and Ann Kimbrough for screenplays. I didn’t want to confuse anyone by putting them all under the same name, as I promote the work differently based on it being a book or a movie script. (My books are for the romance reading public, and the scripts are for industry professionals: producers, studios, actors, managers.) But both compliment each other, as I like to have a book version and a script version of all my ideas. Switching between them hasn’t been a problem, yet. I kept the first name Ann, just to make it easier on me. At least, I’ll answer if someone refers to me by my first name.

11. What are your other interests?
Outside of my family, and a few trips to Disneyland, it’s all about writing these days! But I love spending my days writing, so it’s a very good thing!

Thank you very much for hosting my book and taking the time to put together a great interview!
All the best to you,
Ann

Thank you Ann, for your time and wish you success with the Scarlet Suspense Series.

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