Interview with Lise McClendon
by Jon Jordan
(2002)
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I first was introduced to Lise through an internet newsgroup. Previous to that I’m afraid I hadn’t heard of her. But because I found her funny and witty on the newsgroup, I sought out some of her books. And I was glad I did. She writes a tight, evenly paced story, and they show some keen insight. I really enjoyed reading her, and look forward to more. I missed meeting her at Bouchercon in ‘99, but I finally got to meet her in person at the convention in ‘02. She is absolutely charming! When ever I saw her, she was smiling, and seemed to always be in the thick of things. She is some one I would like to hang out with more at future conventions. I really enjoy her books, and rather than listen to me babble about how much I enjoy reading the exploits of Alix, I’ll let you read the interview and then take the plunge for yourself. I think you’ll be glad you did. -- Jon
Jon: How would you describe your two series? Alix Thorssen, gallery owner, and PI Dorie Lennox?
Lise: My two series are different, both in style and tone, setting and time period. The Alix Thorssen books, set in contemporary Jackson Hole, Wyoming, are amateur sleuth mysteries featuring an art dealer. They're written in first person and are a little like the small-town traditional mysteries but breezier and a little harder edged. Even harder edged are the Dorie Lennox mysteries which the publisher is calling historical noir. They are set in late 30s/early 40s Kansas City, with a female private eye. They're written in 3rd person and Lennox's boss, an expat Brit, gets some "interior time" as well.
Jon: I’ve heard that your latest book, Sweet and Lowdown, will be published by St. Martins. Do you think being with a larger publisher might help break you out ?
Lise: Sweet and Lowdown, the second in the Dorie Lennox series, will be published by St. Martin's Minotaur in July. The first, One O'clock Jump, was also published by SMP. I sure hope a bigger publisher can break me out!
Jon: What is it about Montana that makes you want to call it home?
Lise: I love Montana. I've lived all over the U.S., California, Minnesota, Delaware, Nebraska, Wyoming, but sooner or later you want to set down roots. I love the mountains, the high plains when the rolling thunderclouds turn the sky purple, the blanket of snow in winter. Every place has its good and bad points but I like living in a medium sized city in a rural state. I think it's the best of both worlds.
Jon: When you write, do you put your own characteristics into your characters?
Lise: I think it's impossible to write fiction without putting your own characteristics into your characters. Especially your main character. Since I've only been inside one head (mine) I really don't know what it's like inside other people's. (And maybe that's a good thing?) I can guess though and that's what fiction is all about, the things that make us human, our similarities, our frailties, our fears.
Jon: What made you want to do the first novel?
Lise: Insanity. Ambition. Naivete.
Jon: What other things have you done besides writing mystery?
Lise: Other books? I've written about four other novels that haven't seen the light of day. Mainstream novels, a couple medical thrillers. I'm trying now not to write too many books that never get published. But it was all helpful for me when I was writing
those; writing novels takes lots of practice.
Jon: Does being a parent influence the way you write?
Lise: Being a parent is a big part of who I am so yes, it affects the way I write. I'm not sure how, but I'm sure there is an effect. Also as you go through life and people you know and love get sick, die, or are lost to you in a variety of awful and often final ways, you become a little more sensitive to the reality of what you write about. I think this really came out last fall after the terrorist attacks, with most mystery writers.
Jon: With the publishing industry being what it is, how important is self promotion?
Lise: Big question. If you figure this out, you could make a million bucks.
Jon: Do you like doing the signing tours and conventions?
Lise: I enjoy getting out and talking to people who read and write books, so from that standpoint doing signings and going to conventions is fun. Most of my friends from my regular life don't understand writers and writing and it's a joy to find people who do. On the other hand, as Susan Isaacs told me, "it's our dirty little secret, we're happiest all alone in our room."
Jon: How do you approach your research? Is it hands on or is more of a digging through books thing?
Lise: I try to do both general background research and hands-on, person-to-person research. The book and phone call stuff is easier and takes less time, but you have to do some on the scene research or your book will feel inauthentic.
Jon: You wrote the story for the indie film, The Hoodoo Artist. Do you like being involved with films?
Lise: I helped produce and directed The Hoodoo Artist too. It was a blast. I love movies and would love to do another short one of these days.
Jon: For the Dorie Lennox series, why did you pick the the WWII era? And, why Kansas City?
Lise: Sheesh you ask a lot of questions!!! Okay, Dorie Lennox. I lived in Kansas City for a couple years (forgot that on my list above) and always thought it would be an interesting place for a story. It has a rich history of wild living, a pure frontier story. But contemporary Kansas City is a bit boring to me. So I focused on the 20s and 30s when it was a wide open town like Chicago during Prohibition, with jazz joints, burlesque, gambling, and wild times. Lots of fodder for the crime writer. There's even a real murder in One O'clock Jump, from 1934, that I "solve."
Jon: What authors do you enjoy reading?
Lise: As mysteries go I've been on a British kick for a couple years. I love Reginald Hill and Minette Walters, John Harvey, Frances Fyfield. I always read Sue Grafton, Katy Munger, Susan Isaacs, Michael Connelly, Elmore Leonard. Outside of mysteries I am a Jane Austen fan, and always Alice Hoffman.
Jon: Ok, it’s many many years in the future, and you get to be at your own funeral. What is it you hope people will be saying about you?
Lise: She loved her family with all her heart, and wrote some damn fine books. (Are you collecting epitaphs? Oooh, creepy!!!)
Jon: What kind of things do you like to do with your free time?
Lise: I'm afraid I have too many hobbies. I garden, ski, travel, walk, swim, have pets (bird, cat, dog, fish), collect stuff, and do laundry.
Jon: If there was a medical breakthrough that allowed you to eat anything you wanted, as often and as much as you would like, what would it be?
Lise: Ohmygod. Are you saying you have such a thing in the works??! Okay. It would be chocolate. Or lemon sorbet. No it would be chocolate.
Jon: What’s your favorite part of being an author? And what’s the worst part?
Lise: The best thing about being an author is holding a book you've written in your hands, and having people tell you they enjoyed reading it. The worst thing is actually writing the damn thing! It's hard work.
Jon: Do you think it is important to “play fair” with your readers and give them clues to solve the mystery along with the protagonist, or do you think the ride is more important?
Lise: Aboslutely, you must play fair with clues, even if it's not a complete clue, just a tiny itsy bitsy corner of a clue, it has to be there.
Jon: Is there anything that your fans don’t know about you that would surprise them?
Lise: Probably everything would surprise them. Or bore them to tears. Do I have to say? Gulp. Nah, let 'em be surprised when they read it in National Enquirer.
Jon: What kind of movies do you enjoy?
Lise: I love all kinds of movies except scary ones. I don't like bloody or horror movies. Okay, I was bored stiff on a plane recently with Serendipity because it was so corny. So no corny movies. I like movies that challenge you, like Memento or Mullholland Drive, that you have to talk about afterward. I like non-corny romantic comedies, like French Kiss, and sagas like The English Patient. I like beautiful lush movies that move me.
Jon: Who is your favorite comedian?
Lise: Tough one. Martin Short is the only comedian who has made me fall off my chair laughing, but I love Steve Martin and Woody Allen too. And George Carlin.
Jon: What’s the one thing always in your refrigerator?
Lise: Don't laugh. Nonfat yogurt. I know, it's really really dull, but I love it!!
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