Ask the Author: Charlene D'Avanzo
Answered Questions (8)
Charlene D'Avanzo
I was sea kayaking fifty miles off British Columbia in Haida Gwaii, a cluster of islands, when my rudder got stuck and I couldn't steer! Everyone else in my group paddled for our island destination while I headed straight for the freezing cold Pacific Ocean. A handsome Haida guide came along, fixed the rudder, and accompanied me to shore.
Funny, but this is how book #2 in my series starts - "Demon Spirit, Devil Sea".
Funny, but this is how book #2 in my series starts - "Demon Spirit, Devil Sea".
Charlene D'Avanzo
Actually, book #2 in my Mara Tusconi Maine Oceanography series features a weird incident I experienced. In "Demon Spirit, Devil Sea" Mara and her colleagues have been sent by the U.N. to Haida Gwaii - an archipelago 50 miles off British Columbia - to investigate an international law of the sea violation. One of the Haida Gwaii islands is well known for its hot pools - gloriously warm pools in rocks overlooking the ocean (it's a volcanic area). One day, the pools mysteriously drained - empty. It was totally unexpected and a disaster for local tourism. In "Demon Spirit" that happens to Mara and is literally a life saver.
Charlene D'Avanzo
I write environmental mysteries set on the coast of Maine - so I go for a walk on a deserted beach and listen to the gulls.
Charlene D'Avanzo
As I explain on my webpage (charlenedavanzo.com), the story of a fellow scientist who'd been harassed by climate change doubters motivated me to retire early and transform myself into an environmental mystery writer. My goal is to immerse readers in the stunning beauty of the Maine coast as they learn a little about what's going on with the climate. My protagonist is an oceanographer who uses her sea kayak to find the bad guys.
Charlene D'Avanzo
I can kill off the bad guys and make things right again.
Charlene D'Avanzo
Book #2 in the Mara Tusconi mystery series. "Shadow Spirit of the Sea" (working title) takes Mara and her colleagues to Haida Gwaii, a national park fifty miles off British Columbia. Mara deals with mysticism, dangers of scuba diving, and a bear attack as she tries to figure out why a young Haida Watchman died.
Charlene D'Avanzo
Keep at it. Attend workshops, especially ones in your genre. Learn from your mistakes. Be humble. Join your genre's organizations. Realize that this is probably the hardest thing you've ever done.
Charlene D'Avanzo
In an auditorium as I listed to a famous climate scientists describe what it's like to be harassed by climate deniers. I was incensed and wanted to Do something. Fiction reaches people in ways non-fiction can't.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more