LOUISE PENNY

We've seen that Dead Cold is called A Fatal Grace in the US. Was there a particular reason for this or did you just fancy a change (or did your publishers just decide for you)?

Actually, the publishers in the States, St Martins Minotaur decided. It was a bit of a shock when they first said they wanted to change the title, especially since I knew it would cause some confusion and I didn't want people buying A FATAL GRACE not realizing it was DEAD COLD in disguise. I believe the Americans felt the book needed a title that was less in-your-face, a little more subtle, even poetic. I really like it, but then I also like DEAD COLD. Happily the next book will have the same title, THE CRUELLEST MONTH, though they're debating the number of 'l's. Always something.

On a similar subject, how much input do you get with the cover design of your novels? I ask this because I was recently walking through my bookshop holding a copy of Dead Cold when one of my colleagues suddenly proclaimed 'oooh that looks good' and promptly went off to get herself a copy, showing just how much it can help to have an eye catching cover.

What a great story! Yeah. I have very little input, which I think is a good thing. My agent, the redoubtable Teresa, says I'm a cover whore and she's right. I'll say yes to any cover (almost). I'm not a particularly visual person so my opinion shouldn't be taken seriously. I know what I'm good at, and what I'm not, and honestly covers aren't my thing. I trust the publishers - though my heart is always in my throat when I open the jpg to see what they're proposing. SO glad DEAD COLD grabbed your colleague. I pick up books based on cover too.

We can see some similarities between Gamache and one of our all time favourite Crime fighting heroes - Hercule Poirot. How much influence did Agatha Christie have on you as a writer and can we expect to see as many outings for Gamache as we've had with Poirot? (We hope so!)

From your mouth to God's ear! I've been profoundly influence by Agatha Christie. I'm not sure it's fashionable, (- Agatha will always be fashionable in our minds! - J&M ) but I still read her and adore her and am most grateful to her for all the hours of pleasure and comfort. She's my template. When I started writing I intentionally set out to create a modern sense of a classic Christie. I hope, though, mine have a little more character development, but we'll see. I didn't have Poirot in mind specifically - others have seen Maigret in Gamache, another influence. What I wanted was to create a main character who was a 'hero' in the classic sense. Flawed, but strong and content, having come to terms with his demons. A man who loved life. I wanted someone I could spend the rest of my life with, and someone who would act as a counter-part to the sometimes wretched suspects.

You make Three Pines sound like the absolute perfect place to live. Does such an idyllic place actually exist? (If so we'll be on the next plane out!)

You're saying all the best things. Sadly, Three Pines exists only in my head, as my ideal village - my 'safe place' as the psychologists talk about. Where kindness is the currency, and goodness exists and people are friends, until they kill you. Three Pines is a place where people make healthy choices, for the most part. It's really a state of mind. It's a place, on my good days, I live in. And it sure feels good. The other great thing about Three Pines is that everyone eats croissants and licorice and cheese and never seems to gain weight. Idyllic indeed.

Your novels have some really great and quirky characters. A particular favourite of ours was CC De Poitiers (even if she was rather horrid) and we loved the line of her 'wearing a fluffy white sweater made of either cashmere or kittens'. Do you come up with these characters first or do they evolve as you're writing?

Wonderful question. I come up with the 'why' of a murder first. Then the 'theme' then the characters necessary to fulfill what the books about. For instance STILL LIFE was about choice and change. DEAD COLD/A FATAL GRACE is about belief, and we all eventually become what we believe about ourselves, and our world. Book 3, THE CRUELLEST MONTH, is set at Easter and it's about jealousy and redemption, and the power of being given a second chance. I think people can read my books and never realize they have these themes, and that's great. I'd rather be too subtle than too obvious. But some people 'click in' and that's very satisfying. I have a definitely world view - one of redemption, though not a religious agenda. And I suspect my books will always reflect that, I hope in a subtle, gentle, humourous way.

And also on that note how much planning goes into each novel before you start writing? For example, do you always know who is going to be killed and by whom or do you just go with the flow and see where it leads?

I always know why, where, when, how. I know who. What I don't know is how Gamache et al will figure it out nor do I know the red herrings and mis-directions. That's where the surprises and richness comes in. One thing I heard - perhaps it's apocryphal - is that PD James writes her books with one villain in mind, then at the last minute chances the murderer. I thought that was brilliant and audacious. And that's what I did with DEAD COLD. It was unnerving, but kept things interesting for me! I always, always overwrite. I think of it as a sculpture. A huge hunk of words, with a great story buried in there. Then I edit, and chip away and mould and polish until some structure appears. I love editing. Very soothing. I find the first draft quite stressful to write, since I think it's crap all the way through. And perhaps it is.

Receiving the New Blood award from the CWA must have been a huge turning point for you and you have since received a slew of other awards, most recently the 2007 Dilys award. What do you consider your biggest or best achievement so far to be (and do you now dream of one day winning the fabulous Cartier Diamond Dagger - our personal favourite)? And what actually lead you to entering the Dagger awards?

I actually came in second for the Debut Dagger - for best unpublished mystery. Then the next year, as you know, won the Best First mystery - the New Blood Dagger. And you're right, the New Blood was an immensely important and moving moment. I was introduced to mysteries, Christie, Dorothy L, Marsh, etc, by my mother, who never lived to see my first book published. And all the books I read had written on them, winner of the Gold Dagger, the Diamond Dagger, the Creasy Dagger. So to find myself in London last June, shortlisted for the New Blood Dagger for Best First Mystery in Britain was so emotional it was all I could do to keep a 'stiff upper lip'. And then to hear my name called - amazing. I kept repeating to myself, 'Remember this, remember this'. I knew it might never happen again and I sure didn't want to remember just a blur. And I remember every instant. And one day, in my rocker, I'll bore my fellow residents of the 'home' with a story they’ll all know I fantasized. Yes, I dream of winning the Diamond. I dream a lot. So far they've all come true. My alter is the bathtub, filled with bubbles and dreams. I do my Oprah and Richard and Judy interviews. I'm very humble and self effacing and we become best friends. I'm the first person to win the Nobel Prize with a murder mystery. Again, I'm very humble and remember to thank Mother Teresa. (My agent). I'm a big believer in dreaming - but not in expecting. I know if I'm happy it's only because I'm grateful for all the great things I've been given, I know how lucky I am. And I don't expect more. My life is perfect, whether my next book does well or not.

What was the biggest challenge you faced when you first moved from the world of Journalism to writing Fiction? And did you always intend to write Crime as apposed to literary fiction?

I tried to write literary fiction and got myself so stressed I had writer's block. Took myself far too seriously – perhaps not the first journalist to do that. Then I looked at my bedside table and saw a stack of traditional mysteries. I took it as a sign - thankfully they didn't have to burst into flames to get my attention. I, strangely, had no difficulty making the transition from non-fiction to fiction. It might not have been all that big a leap. Hmm. The only thing I was worried about was length. I was used to writing stories that last a page. No huge character development, and any description got the axe. So I just gave myself permission to blab on and on and not worry – which is why the first drafts are soooo long. But riveting.

What tips/pointers could you give two aspiring writers like us?

Lie in a bath and see yourself at your book launch. Believe in yourself. Write for yourself. Write a book you'd love to read. Don't worry what anyone else will think. Don't write a book, write just that days pages. Then the next. Then the next. You'll get there eventually. I read somewhere that writing a book is like driving from New York to Los Angeles at night. You can't see your destination, but all you need to do is get to the end of your headlights. Then do it again. Evertually you'll arrive. It was so comforting. It sure feels like driving in the dark sometimes - and maybe it's supposed to. But - make sure your creative self is driving, not your critic. When your head tells you you're writing crap, welcome to the club. It means you're doing lots right. There's plenty of time to let the critic back in to the room – like when you're editing. But the first draft is not the time. Choose your company wisely, and stick with people who are encouraging. There are lots of people more than happy to tell you, for your own good of course, that it can't be done. It can, and is done by ordinary people every day. The only thing that separates me from an unpublished writer is perseverance. I write every day, even when I'm terrified and have lots of excuses. Perseverance. Not brilliance. How many frustrated geniuses are there who wonder why the world isn't beating a path to them? How many happy, fulfilled regular people (of which I know I'm one) are there who made it because they just put their heads down and worked really, really hard? Hard work doesn't guarantee success, but it does guarantee that I have no regrets. When I'm in my rocker, boring the other residents, I need to know I did my best. Not your best. My best. And don't take yourself too seriously. Write for the joy of it and never, ever, forget how lucky you are. On a more practical level, I set aside time every day to write, and a specific place. I don't answer the phone, or do emails during that time. I see what I do as a job. A wonderful job that I chose. And I'm sure not going to fail because I let fear take charge .

If you were stranded alone in the middle of nowhere what book would you most want to have with you?

Probably the boy scout manual. Or that new book about Dangerous Information for Boys. Not perhaps great reading, but useful.

In Still Life you killed off a character loved by everyone and then in Dead Cold the victim was hated by everyone. Can you give us an idea of what we can look forward to in your next book The Cruellest Month (due out later this year)?

In the third book it's not clear whether the victim was a lovely, kind person or a greedy, self centred person. It depends upon each person's experience. It's also not clear, and I'm not telling, who gets killed, until the actual death. It happens at a seance at the Old Hadley House, where the villagers are trying to dispel the evil spirits and seem to wake up more than intended, on Good Friday.

What are you currently working on? And whatever it is does it by any chance need a couple of characters called Joe and Megan? (We figure if we ask this enough then we'll eventually show up somewhere!)

What fun! If I say yes will you feature me in every issue? Actually I'm in London for the UK launch of DEAD COLD, and finishing the first draft of the fourth book, set in the summer. Each book gets a different season. Very fun to write, and makes each feel quite different. Seasons in Canada, as you know, are characters impossible to ignore.

For more information on Louise Penny and her novels, please visit www.louisepenny.com