Ask the Author: Lisa Lutz
Answered Questions (20)
Lisa Lutz
I have no plans for one at the moment. But thanks for reading them.
Lisa Lutz
Hi Angie. Sorry I took so long... First, thrilled that you liked the book. This one means a lot to me.
To answer your questions: I never went to a boarding school. However, I attended a relatively small magnet school from 5th through 12th grade, which I suspect had a similar sense of existing it its own universe, with its own set of rules. I wouldn't say I did any teaching, but I subbed at a few Bay Area private schools in the late 90's.
Thanks for your question and for reading the book!
To answer your questions: I never went to a boarding school. However, I attended a relatively small magnet school from 5th through 12th grade, which I suspect had a similar sense of existing it its own universe, with its own set of rules. I wouldn't say I did any teaching, but I subbed at a few Bay Area private schools in the late 90's.
Thanks for your question and for reading the book!
Lisa Lutz
I started writing plays in high school and never stopped. Although I didn't find any success until the Spellmans, over 20 years later. I don't find inspiration from one place. It feels kind of random, I think. I suppose I consider what world I want to live in for a while and go from there. Thank you.
Lisa Lutz
This answer contains spoilers…
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Lisa Lutz
Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it. And I will consider the GoFundMe angle.
Best,
Lisa
Best,
Lisa
Lisa Lutz
Well, thank you! That is very kind.
Lisa Lutz
Hi Brenda,
I'm definitely going to have to share this with Dave. I don't know that Dave and I will write another book together. "Heads You Lose" was a love it or hate book for many people. And there were more haters. Sadly, not everyone has your (and my) sense of humor. I must say, however, that every book I write Dave reads and has some hand in editing. But I'm hopeful that he will publish his own novel one day. And that my blurb on the front cover will be bigger than his name.
I'm definitely going to have to share this with Dave. I don't know that Dave and I will write another book together. "Heads You Lose" was a love it or hate book for many people. And there were more haters. Sadly, not everyone has your (and my) sense of humor. I must say, however, that every book I write Dave reads and has some hand in editing. But I'm hopeful that he will publish his own novel one day. And that my blurb on the front cover will be bigger than his name.
Lisa Lutz
Thank you so, so much! I'm so proud of that book and it means so much to me. It took many years to write and to get published. It's always thrilling when I find a reader who responds to it. I really appreciate your note.
Lisa Lutz
I'm quite fond of Rae myself. But I'm not sure that I could do her justice as a narrator and I think you write the best books when you write what you're passionate about. My head and heart aren't in the Spellmans right now.
Lisa Lutz
Thank you so much, Tara. I can't say that there will never be another Spellman book, but there are no plans for one right now. I've got my next few ideas queued up and that will probably take at least 3-5 years. I'm sorry.
Lisa Lutz
Thank you, Carmen!
Yes. Actually, the book I'm working on now is a stand-alone. And a mystery. A bit more domestic, but still a pure crime novel.
Yes. Actually, the book I'm working on now is a stand-alone. And a mystery. A bit more domestic, but still a pure crime novel.
Lisa Lutz
I've hear this reaction a lot. I made that choice because I wanted the Spellman books to reflect life. Sometimes things don't work out.
Lisa Lutz
There was, but it didn't pan out. So we're back to the drawing board on any Spellman movie or TV show.
Lisa Lutz
Probably not as much as people think. But certain things for sure. Level of maturity, appreciation of alcohol, inquisitiveness to a fault.
Lisa Lutz
I have yet to figure that out. I always struggle to hit the right note.
Lisa Lutz
Sure. Why not?
Lisa Lutz
I would want to create a doctor all my own. Number 86, let's say.
Lisa Lutz
Hi Katie,
Great question. I remember writing that scene and it's very meaningful to me, but I don't know that there was a particular moment in time when I had that insight. I'm older than Isabel and probably about as mature as she is (I know, scary). It's just something you realize when you look around. Grown ups aren't grown up. People are just doing their best. Sometime you can meet a child who is completely evolved and an adult who is and will forever be a child. It was something I wanted to discuss. It's nice to know that someone noticed it. Thanks.
Great question. I remember writing that scene and it's very meaningful to me, but I don't know that there was a particular moment in time when I had that insight. I'm older than Isabel and probably about as mature as she is (I know, scary). It's just something you realize when you look around. Grown ups aren't grown up. People are just doing their best. Sometime you can meet a child who is completely evolved and an adult who is and will forever be a child. It was something I wanted to discuss. It's nice to know that someone noticed it. Thanks.
Lisa Lutz
Hi Natasha,
The hardest book hasn't been published yet. How To Start A Fire (HMH, May, 2015). I wrote the first chapter in February of 2006 and worked on it intermittently over the years. It's my most complex book and it has been a challenge figuring it out. But I'm very proud of it. It's not like anything else of I've done. Not a comedy, not a mystery.
The hardest book hasn't been published yet. How To Start A Fire (HMH, May, 2015). I wrote the first chapter in February of 2006 and worked on it intermittently over the years. It's my most complex book and it has been a challenge figuring it out. But I'm very proud of it. It's not like anything else of I've done. Not a comedy, not a mystery.
Lisa Lutz
Hi Andrew,
I decided to avoid murders in the Spellman novels because I worked for a private investigative firm for a few years and we never worked a single murder. It seemed appropriate for the context. Thanks for the question!
I decided to avoid murders in the Spellman novels because I worked for a private investigative firm for a few years and we never worked a single murder. It seemed appropriate for the context. Thanks for the question!
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