*At the end of this interview, you'll learn how to enter for your chance at some give-a-ways from Hank!
Welcome to Writer's Block, Hank! I've been looking forward to interviewing you ever since reading your first novel, Prime Time. Of course, I've since read Face Time and Air Time, and I'm currently reading...you guessed it, Drive Time! Okay, so we've established I'm a big fan. Now, let's see if we can't learn a little more about you for my readers and fans.
Cindy: They say to "write what you know". Your Charlotte McNally series is about an investigative reporter, always looking for that award-winning story. So you are definitely an expert on the subject matter. Has your own reporting career helped you in coming up with the story ideas for your series?
Hank: Well, thanks so much for the kind words! And sure-I've wired myself with hidden cameras, confronted corrupt politicians and chased down criminals…so making Charlotte McNally my alter-ego makes sense. After 30 years as a reporter (!) I've learned there's always another fabulous story to track down.
I don't use real stories that I've covered, but I certainly call on my experience and experiences to make the mysteries authentic. I know what the inside of a prison looks and smells like and how the district attorney handles a news conference, how someone behaves when they're lying. I've been in car chases and courtrooms and crime scenes...and I know how to get a breaking news story on instantly and live, even when the wind is blowing and the rain is pouring down. And when you read the books, you can be sure it's often been-there done that!
Write what you know? Sure. But Stephen King says: write what you fear. And that's exactly what I do.
Cindy: I'm going to be adding my reviews to this interview, (newsletter version only - see
Reviews by Cindy to read the reviews online) but can you briefly describe each story for the readers, beginning with Prime Time?
Hank: PRIME TIME introduces Charlotte McNally-she's an investigative reporter for a Boston TV station-she's smart, successful and savvy-but she's married to her job in television., and wonders what will happen when the camera doesn't love her anymore. She finds the story she hopes will save her career--and it's such a diabolical and workable scheme you'll wonder why someone hasn't tried it! Trust me--you'll never look at the annoying Spam on your computer the same way! (Right, Cindy?)
FACE TIME is about eyewitness identification-- and how we do (or don't) really recognize people and what a deadly difference that can make. Charlie thinks she had explosive new evidence that can free an innocent woman from a life sentence for murder-but why does the woman keep confessing?
Also in FACE TIME-Charlie's coming to terms with her mother-and perhaps a step-daughter (My editor cried at the end of FACE TIME-she said it was such a mother/daughter love story-and the first time she's ever cried in a murder mystery!)
AIR TIME-Well, have you ever wondered where those knock-off designer purses come from ? And who's selling them right under the noses of law enforcement? This is a story I covered for real-and as a mystery author, I started wondering, what if….and came up with another truly workable criminal scheme! When I talked to the FBI about it...they had to admit it would work! And again-I tried to take a very common occurrence-lost luggage-and give it a sinister twist. Like the others, it's fast-paced, exciting-people tell me they miss their stops on the subway because they can't bear to look up from the page!
DRIVE TIME is about secrets-and Charlie realizes it IS possible to know too much. Charlie's latest coop-an expose of a dangerous car scam, complete with stakeouts, high speed chases and hidden camera footage, is ratings gold. But soon Charlie's personal and professional lives are on a collision course-her fiancé is privy to inside info about deadly threats at an elite private school. And soon-he's under suspicion. I love the end of DRIVE TIME...I get goose bumps whenever I think of it!
Cindy: After Drive Time, will there be more in the McNally series or do you have something new in the works for you and if so, what?
Hank: We'll see! Id love to write SHOW TIME and EQUAL TIME-but it's all about what readers want. And I have two other great (!) standalone ideas that I'm working on right now.
Cindy: Charlotte is a real go-getter and nothing will stop her from getting her story. I've just got to ask - Is she anything like the author who created her?
Hank: Ah, well, hmm. When my husband talks about Charlie, he calls her "you." As in: when "you" catch the bad guys, or when you get held at gunpoint. She's younger than I am, and funnier. But we're both very driven journalists.
Cindy: I really love the Franklin character in the series. Who would you say may have triggered his character's "birth" in your series?
Hank: Such a good question! Franklin just-appeared. Every investigative reporter has a producer, who works with them on a pretty equal basis. I've had dozens of them over my career. But there's been no one who is like Franklin! I love him, too, and I'd love to know where he came from. But I have no idea.
Cindy: With your busy schedule and the need to meet deadlines, how do you ever find the time to sit down and write novels?
Hank: (Laughing.) Yeah, it's amazingly tough. Sleep was the first to go, then exercise. Then cooking-we eat a lot of carry-out salmon from Whole Foods…and luckily my husband is very patient and incredibly supportive. I haven't taken a vacation for maybe five years. We rarely go to movies or have dinner parties anymore-every spare moment is spent with book things. I adore it-and I think it's worth it! (I hope I'm right.)
Cindy: Have you always enjoyed writing or could this just be considered another "arm" in your long length of investigative credits?
Hank: Oh, I've always wanted to be a mystery author, ever since I can remember. But until I come up with the plot for PRIME TIME-which I adore-I just didn't have a good idea for a book. (May be the timing was wrong. Things happen when they're supposed to, don't you think?) But as a TV reporter I've written stories almost every day for 30 years.
Cindy: Are you planning on continuing both your 9-5 job and your writing career, or will you be giving up the reporting to be able to write full time; or is that even an option you've considered?
Hank: That's the question of the century. I'll let you know.
Cindy: The process from manuscript to print, and especially obtaining a well respected publisher, is a difficult mountain to climb for most new authors. What steps were involved in getting your work into print and were you ever rejected?
Hank: Rejected? Ha. Of course, over and over and over. I'll admit I thought it would be easier than it was. I'll admit I thought my years as a reporter would make a difference. You know what I heard? There's a sort of bias against reporters-a la "Oh, those reporters always think they can write fiction".
But I did what most everyone does. I worked like mad on my manuscript, then worked like mad on revision. I worked on a query letter that I thought was wonderful, and sent it to many agents. Say-10. And got 10 rejections. Everyone was saying no.
I changed the query letter to be more plot-oriented, and suddenly everyone was saying yes.
When I chose an agent, we began the sale process, which was another amazingly educational experience. The original PRIME TIME was a bit lighter than the final product, and I am incredibly grateful to my editor (now with MIRA) for that, and for her terrific guidance for the other Charlotte McNally mysteries.
I've worked with an editor, of course, in television for all these years, so I already knew the joys of working with another person who is invested in making a project be the best it can be. I've learned that sometimes-wait for it-someone else might have a great idea! : And that's incredibly wonderful when we have the same goals.
Cindy: Wow, 26 Emmys! And ten Edward R. Murrow Awards to boot! Amazing career achievements. Congrats, Hank! Of these, which was the most rewarding for you and why?
Hank: You know, when I look at that shelf of Emmys in my study, I'm still proud-and I love the first one (Which is for a report on the poorest county in Georgia) just as much as I love the newest one (which is for an investigation into jury selection). Each one of those statues represents a secret we uncovered, or an activity that someone wanted to keep hidden.
They are all a result of incredibly hard work and some sacrifices, I might add, as well as some luck and timing, and devotion to journalism. And-fun. It's terrifically rewarding to dig up something new-and to make some changes in the world.
We've had several new laws passed as a result of our stories; we've gotten peoples’ homes out of foreclosure, and recovered literally millions of dollars in consumer refunds and restitution.
So - that's a good day’s work. And a wonderful career.
Cindy: Journalistic writing and novel writing are two very different kinds of writing. Do you ever find it difficult to switch from one mode to the other?
Hank: Ah, great question. And interesting answer: No.
At first, I truly wondered if I could switch from absolute non-fiction, where I cannot make a mistake or get one fact wrong-to absolute fiction, where everything would come out of my imagination.
But then I realized writing for TV and writing for mystery fiction are very similar-it's all about telling a good story. The story is everything.
And then: it's looking for compelling characters. And important conflict. Tracking down clues and following leads. Hoping the good guys win and the bad guys get what's coming to them. You're searching for a fair and satisfying ending. And, in the end, you're hoping for justice, an even to change the world.
That's what I try to do in TV, and that's what I try to do in mysteries.
It's just in TV? You can't make stuff up.
Cindy: You chose to write this series in first person and you've added a new twist to murders and mysteries by splicing in some humor along the way. Any chance you are also "humorous" when you're not in front of the camera? (wink)
Hank: Ah, well, blushing here. People say I'm funny. And, actually, that's one of the things that surprises people about me. On television, I'm pretty-tough. Asking the hard questions. And not often smiling.
So when people meet me and I'm not so hard-edged, they're surprised. People have called my speeches more like stand-up comedy. I'm sure that's not quite true.
And thanks for thinking the books are funny. I know I should say something hilarious now-I just can't think of anything.
Cindy: Where can the readers learn more about you and your books and where are your books available for purchase?
Hank: Oh, please - come to my website:
It's newly revamped with all the info about DRIVE TIME and it also has my brand new short story "On the House" which was just published. (Take a look and see what you think.)
I'd love to hear from readers!
I mean-what should happen to Charlie? To Franklin? And Penny? What if Charlie got a job offer in a bigger market? What if someone gets pregnant? What if someone is suspected of murder? All that could happen...
Cindy: And what if someone wants a signed copy by the author?
Hank: Lovely! And you can get signed books with free shipping and a marvelous tote bag by ordering from the wonderful Mystery Lovers Bookstore. (it's a Chico bag-so it's a full-sized shopping bag that scrunches up into a little pouch. It's fantastic!)
Here's a link:
Cindy: Thank you so much for your valuable time in allowing me this opportunity to interview you, Hank. Is there anything you would like to add that I may have forgotten to touch base with?
Hank: Well-this just in-DRIVE TIME, (the newest book in the series which comes out February 1) just got a starred review in Library Journal! (You know how fantastic that is.)
Just a snippet, if I may be so bold:
"Buckle up and prepare for a wild ride...Ryan once again channels her Emmy-winning investigative reporting expertise to craft a realistic and compelling mystery, full of hairpin turns and dangerous intersections at breakneck speed. Verdict: Placing Ryan in the same league as Lisa Scottoline...her latest book catapults the reader into the fast lane and doesn't relent until the story careens to a stop. New readers will speed to get her earlier books, and diehard fans will hope for another installment."
(I must say-that's quite a joy to read! Thank you, Library Journal!)
Cindy: Hank, you have a great Christmas with your family and friends and I'll be working on the review for "Drive Time" soon!
Hank: What a treat! And you have a wonderful holiday season too-I'm so grateful for your support and enthusiasm-and for your original and thought-provoking questions!
*And hey--I have five copies of a special Chapter One of DRIVE TIME pamphlet! Let's give them away to lucky commenters. And I've also got two ARCs of PRIME TIME-and let's give those as prizes, too! (U.S. and Canada only, please!) Just leave a comment-and we'll draw winners at random.
Cindy: You read right, folks! Hank has also since added 2 copies of Quarry, an anthology on sale now! into the give-a-way, so please leave your comments for your chance to win a free copy! Turn the page - I’ve included information on Hank’s short story contribution in Quarry and also some information taken from her website, "About Hank..."
About Hank...
Here's what most people don't know: As a result of a summer job at the Dairy Queen, I can make an ice cream cone with a curl on the top. I was vice-president of the Midwest chapter of the National Beatles Fan Club, and figured I would one day marry George. Or Paul. Or John. When I was ten, my career ambition was to be Nancy Drew.
But that's not how it turned out. Yet.
Right now, I'm on the air at Boston's NBC affiliate, where I've been working to break big stories for the past 22 years. So far, so good. Along with my 26 EMMYs, I've won dozens of other regional, national and international honors for what the news releases call my "hard-hitting investigations." I'm also proud of my 10 or so Edward R. Murrow Awards for reporting and writing, my top award from the National Association of Science Writers, and my prestigious Investigative Reporters and Editors Award. I'm also proud that my consumer investigative reporting has changed laws and changed lives.
PRIME TIME is actually not my first encounter with publishing. That was in 1969, when my best friend and I got summer jobs as proofreaders, and wound up reading the entire Indiana Code of Laws out loud. Including punctuation.
Since then, I've been a radio reporter, a legislative aide in the United States Senate, and in a two-year stint in Rolling Stone Magazine's Washington Bureau, worked on the political column "Capitol Chatter" and organized presidential campaign coverage for Hunter S. Thompson.
I began my TV career in 1975, anchoring and reporting the news for TV stations in Indianapolis and then Atlanta. I've battled my way through hurricanes, floods and blizzards, wired myself with hidden cameras, chased criminals and confronted corrupt politicians-as well as covering national political conventions, the NBA playoffs and the Super Bowl; and interviewing newsmakers from Prince Charles to President Jimmy Carter to Warren Beatty to Muhammad Ali.
I grew up in the Indianapolis area, and some of my family is still there. After a complicated high school career, (which included the Honor Society, detention, a stint as a majorette (oh, yes) and being voted 'Most Original,') I went to Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio. There I majored in Shakespeare, which was in the school's catalogue, and in 'independent reading and listening to rock and roll records,' which was not a course the school knew it was offering. Sometimes I even attended classes. I also studied abroad at the International School in Hamburg, Germany.
Outside Channel 7? I'm on the Board of Directors of New England Sisters in Crime, and also of the New England Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. I'm also vice-president of the board of the Lyric Stage of Boston, a professional theater company. There, I founded the Lyric's "First Curtain" program, which we created to provide the full theater experience for underprivileged students. In fact, through our fundraising and promotional efforts, First Curtain has already provided hundreds of free tickets and theater education scholarships.
I live in the Boston area with my husband, a nationally renowned civil rights and criminal defense attorney. As you can imagine, it's pretty handy to have a legal expert on call at all hours.
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