I felt I needed to broaden my horizons a touch. Even though Brooke French is another Black Rose Writing author, she writes in a genre I seldom, if ever, read. After my interview with Brooke, I decided I need to check out her books.
Brooke French is an author, a recovering lawyer, and a boy mom. She got her undergraduate degree in English from Emory University, followed by a law degree, which, after many long and sometimes fulfilling years of practice, she mainly uses now as a coaster for the cup of coffee she puts down only to type.
She is someone I would characterize as a research hound, and you will see it for yourself as you read the interview. While I research topics related to what I’m writing, it is through her research that gives her the idea for a book. Here is my interview with Brooke French.
What was it that made you decide you had a story to tell and to become an author?
I’m happiest when I’m either reading or writing, and it’s been that way for as long as I can remember.
As an author or writer, what sets you apart from others?
Medical thrillers can get weighed down by the science. I try hard not to do that, while still respecting the science. A thriller should be fast, engaging, and impossible to put down. I write the kinds of things I want to read. Dark, fast-paced, escapist fun. My goal is to write something so immersive, you’ll burn your dinner reading it.
How do ideas for your stories present themselves? How do you know what story lines to follow and which to ignore?
Because my books are based in science, I almost always get my story ideas from falling down a research rabbit hole. I’ll see something and think — man, that’s amazing. And then I wind up ignoring my life and responsibilities while I scour the bookstore for relevant books, read scientific journals, and watch YouTube tutorials. Usually, when I come up for air, I’ve got the start of a good story tumbling around in my brain.
What genre do you write, and why?
I write thrillers and suspense. They are the genres I most like to read.
Besides writing and telling a good story, do you have any other talents?
I was, once upon a time, a litigator for a big Atlanta law firm. I was good at it, but it made me miserable. I’m also a good cook and baker. Post-children, my menus are less extravagant. But there are few non-book-related places I’d rather be than in the kitchen with my family (especially when my mom can be there), working on a bunch of fun recipes together.
If you were to name one or two books that you deem unforgettable and that had a major impact on you, what would they be, and why?
I read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein when I was in middle school, and it was the first time I really thought about the structure of writing. It’s a story, within a story, within a story. So many big themes and yet, it reads like a thriller. Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre also really captured me as a young reader. I could see myself in Jane (not that I was an abused orphan — my parents are lovely). But the character spoke to me in a way that solidified my love of reading and, later, writing.
What authors do you read regularly? Why?
My auto-buy authors are Riley Sager, Robert Galbraith, Lisa Jewell, Sarah J. Maas, Julia Heaberlin, and Candice Fox. They have all mastered the art of what they do. Some write outside my genres, but even so, they know how to build stories you can’t put down. And, ultimately, that’s what I want when I read. These authors deliver. Every single time.
If you were to have dinner with 5 individuals living or dead, who would they be and why?
This list would be much longer if fictional characters could be included, but here goes: Henry Cavill, Ian Somerhalder, Jason Momoa, Idris Elba, and Ryan Gosling. Or my grandparents.
What is your writing routine? When you write, do you plan or outline ahead or are you a “pantser”?
I’m most productive in the mornings. I try to go out for a hike or a run after I drop the kids at school, then settle in at my computer to write until lunch. I also work in the afternoons and evenings, but I’m more interrupted then and more likely to get distracted, even without my family there to do it.
Summers and school breaks are a different story. I live in a tiny house, which means I have no designated writing space. So I’m usually working the dining table or the kitchen counter, in the middle of my family’s noise and madness. I’ve learned to mostly tune them out, but when I can’t, I escape to coffee shops to work. It’s heaven, i.e. unlimited caffeine, and no one asks me for snacks.
When writing, how much do you read? Do you read in or out of your genre?
I read a lot. And, while I favor the genres I write in, I read all sorts of things. The only genre I actively avoid is non-fiction. I only read it when a new writing craft book comes out or I’m doing research for a book.
Is there something you set out to do, but somehow, it didn’t work out for you? (In writing, or something else you felt was important to you at the time?)
I used to love playing tennis, but my body doesn’t anymore.
What tips would you give to new or even experienced writers?
Find yourself a good critique group. At a certain point, you can’t see your own mistakes. You need writing friends to help you get better.
How did you “teach” yourself to write or did it just come naturally? What lessons would you pass on to others?
When I started working on my first novel, I read all sorts of how-to books on writing. Some were wonderful, others not so much. But every one taught me something.
I learned most of what I know, though, from other writers. This touches back on my answer to the last question. You only get better at writing by doing it. A lot. And then, once you think it’s as good as you can get it, give it to a writing friend and let them show you ways to make it even better.
How do you handle a negative critique?
No one likes a negative critique. But they are how you get better. The harder part is learning when it’s okay to ignore them.
I struggled with this in my first book. I accepted every edit. And some were really off-base. It took time for me to tell the difference and, as a result, that book went through a lot more revision than the projects I’ve worked on since.
Is there a type of writing/genre that you find difficult to write? Why?
Romance was hard for me at first. It wasn’t a genre I’d read a lot of, and, when I started trying to write my first romantic sub-plot, I wasn’t sure how best to build the characters’ relationship on the page. I read a decent amount of it now, and I actually really enjoy writing it.
How important are the elements of character, setting, and atmosphere to a story, and why?
Vital. Without any of these elements, a story will feel flat and incomplete.
Do you see yourself in any of the characters you create? How/Why?
Absolutely. My characters aren’t me, but the cadence of my thinking often comes through in what they say or how they say it.
Is there an unforgettable or memorable character that will not leave your head, either of your own creation or from a book you’ve read?
I can think of two. Cormoran Strike from Robert Galbraith’s series by the same name and Claire Fraser from Diana Gabaldan’s Outlander series. Both characters read like fully formed, complete people. Flawed but likable. By the first chapter of the first book in both (very long) series, you can’t help but feel that you know them.
Tell us about your most recent book. How did you come up with the concept?
I came across an article about polar bears when I was researching a different book and read they are one of the only creatures on the planet who actually see humans as prey. Unlike other bears, they will stalk us. I loved the idea of a character lost in the wild, facing a predator like that.
The deeper I researched, the more terrifying I realized the bears are. And, of course, the more I wanted to write about them.
How did you come up with the title?
The book I’m writing now is the second in the Letty Duquesne series. In Letty’s world, the balance of nature has shifted. Animals have become dangerous, and humans are the most dangerous animals of all. Those themes are reflected in all the titles in the series.
From your book, who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite character? Why?
Letty Duquesne is probably my favorite. She’s the protagonist in my next book (and in my first). She’s smart, fierce, and absolutely dedicated to her job. But she’s also impulsive enough to get herself into some seriously fun trouble.
As for least favorite… I loosely based one of the characters in Inhuman Acts on someone I know (and hate) in real life. In the interest of not finding a bag of flaming dog poop on my front stoop, I think I’ll keep mum as to the identity of both.
I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I did, and I hope you check out her books. You might find a new favorite author!
I would love to hear your thoughts, so please use the comment section below. Thanks for following along on my writing journey, and until next time …
Social Media Links for Brooke French:
https://www.instagram.com/brookelewisfrench/
https://www.facebook.com/brooke.l.french
Here are links to where you can find her books:
Currently in Preorder:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-carolina-variant-brooke-l-french/1143126586?ean=9781685132187
Here are links to where you can find her first book:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inhuman-acts-brooke-l-french/1141459948?ean=9781685130350
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