Cate Quinn is the author of Black Widows and she not only tells us about her debut novel, but also her writing inspirations and favourite murder mysteries!
Hi Cate! Thanks for stopping by and chatting to us. Can you tell us about your upcoming debut release, Black Widows?
Thanks so much for having me! The book is about a Mormon (Latter-Day Saint) husband, who is brutally murdered by one of his three wives. Prior to the killing, the family have moved out to the wilds of Utah to live off-grid, but as tensions between the women flair, the expectation to be loving sister-wives becomes tougher. Each woman has her own story, and reason for wanting husband Blake dead. But you’ll have to read the book to find them all out!
What five words would you use to describe Black Widows?
I hope …. Gripping, page-turning, up-lifting, funny and unique. But of course readers will have their own views!
What inspired you to write Black Widows?
I was watching a documentary on modern-day Latter-Day Saint polygamy. It was fascinating to watch the families make a case for their marriages. There seemed to be many advantages, but almost all the wives were open about difficulties amongst one another.
During a close-up on one of the sister-wife’s faces, there was an expression–almost a micro-expression–and I remember thinking “Wow, she looks like she could kill someone…”
The idea for the book came from that expression.
What encouraged you to write in the crime/thriller genre?
I’ve always been attracted to this genre to read. I love an adventure, and something that compels you to turn the page.
How do you get into the mood to write in the genre?
I’m always in the mood to write about murder … In all seriousness, I love writing so much, the hardest thing is realising I’m getting tired, and staying away.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
If you know you’re a writer, you just know. It’s the one thing you want to do, all day every day, and you’d do it for free. If this is you, you will definitely get there. Just keep at it. Books that have really helped me include: Screen Writing by Syd Field, Save the Cat by Blake Snyder, and The Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker.
Do you have any favorite murder mystery books that you’ve read?
I love Murder on the Orient Express for taking me to a time and place. And probably for the same reason, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code if you can call it a murder mystery for sure is one of my favorites. I also love The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides and The Chain by Adrian McKinty.
What do you prefer – writing with music/background noise, or in silence?
Probably silence for preference. But I also like being surrounded by café sounds, people sounds.
Are you a plotter, or a pantser? That is, do you know the full plot before the first sentence, or complete the plot as you write?
I used to be a plotter. But after a few books, I realized you can’t know until you’ve really written a scene, what’s possible, plausible or not. So now I’m a bit of both. I usually write the beginning in a mad euphoria. Then I stop. Go and start writing the end. Figure all that out, then start putting it all together.
Would you be able to sleep if you found yourself in the centre of the Black Widows plot?
If I didn’t know the end? No way! I would for sure be sleeping with a knife under my pillow and the lights on!
What’s next for you, writing wise? I’m excited to see what’s next!
Thanks so much! My next book is called The Lock In. It follows the experience of two California backpacker girls who go to work in the most rural of Aussie outback bars. On their final night, one of the locals is savagely murdered, and both girls are in the frame. What happens next is kind of an unpicking of their girls experience in this very macho culture, and a debate about whether the victim got what was coming to him.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our reader
I do! Books that I have loved recently, include Imperfect Women by Araminta Hall and Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi.
