Caroline Fardig - An Eye For An Eye
Caroline Fardig is the USA Today bestselling author of the Java Jive Mysteries series, the Lizzie Hart Mysteries series, and Ellie Matthews series. She has worked as a schoolteacher, church organist, insurance agent, funeral parlor associate, and stay-at-home mom before realizing that she wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Born and raised in a small town in Indiana, Fardigstill lives in that same town with an understanding husband, two sweet kids, two energetic dogs, and one malevolent cat.
Interview with Caroline Fardig
Q: I've read some procedurals, classic dicks, and crime mysteries, so I'm not unfamiliar with the genre(s). However, I've never read a book starting from the perspective of the first victim. What lead you to do that?
A: When I wrote the first book in the series, BITTER PAST, I actually had 4 chapters leading up to the murder, which originally happened off-page. But when my agent and I were discussing that book, he said it didn't start with enough of a bang. There was too much lead-up before anything really happened. So, I hacked those chapters and started (literally) with a bang--the victim in the first book was shot. It ended up being a great formula to draw the reader into the action and feel something for the victim, so I kept on with it. Every Ellie Matthews novel will start that way.
Q: One of my favorite authors does a ton of real world research for her books. Shooting the guns, doing interviews, suiting up with a SWAT team.... I know you do too. Can you describe what research you do and why you do it?
A: In the past couple of years, I've taken 3 college-level classes in Criminal Justice--two forensics classes and one criminal investigations class--to prepare for writing this series. There are so many books and movies and TV series that get the procedural stuff "wrong," I was determined to write something that showed the real way it's done--of course within the realm of fiction to keep things interesting. In the forensics classes, we did a lot of labs, which ended up being hands-on training provided by real criminalists who work at the Indiana State Police lab. My teacher is one of the firearms examiners, and she had her coworkers come in to teach lessons and labs in their field of expertise. They would bring actual supplies from their lab so we could have a true experience at evidence examination. We also got to tour the lab itself, which was incredibly exciting for me. My teacher and her coworkers have been so great about answering my many "what if" questions about forensics, even long after the classes were over. It's been an amazing experience.
Q: Your main character in this book is an aunt while you are a mom. I've noticed that a lot of authors, either intentionally or not, often infuse their characters and stories with elements from their own life. Can you tell me how Ellie and Rachel are or are not like yourself?
A: Well, they have a sweet Golden Retriever just like me. But on the serious side, Ellie's sarcasm comes straight from me. We both get into trouble for our witty yet cutting observations that maybe shouldn't always be shared with others. Ellie and Rachel's life and experiences are the polar opposite of mine, though, except for the teaching part. Although I don't use it, my degree is in education.
Q: Are there any real world inspirations for your characters?
A: Always! Every time someone says or does something that strikes me as interesting or unusual, I'm immediately on my phone, sending myself an email outlining the situation or turn of phrase so I can use it in the future. And we all know people who deserve to be caricatures in stories--but I'm not naming any names...
Q: Since this interview is for the Mominars I should probably ask some "mom" questions. How did you get started as a writer? With your diverse background what inspired you to try writing?
A: I honestly started getting fed up with how books I read would end. I would always rewrite the ending in my head, and I finally figured...why not do it on paper? I guess that was my muse giving me a nudge to write my own books. And my...ahem...diverse work background certainly plays a part in my writing. Through the many different career paths I've taken, I've managed to meet all sorts of people and have varied experiences.
Q: Do you find being a parent presents challenges that other authors may not be faced with?
A: Absolutely! I try to get all my writing done when my kids are at school. But sometimes I have to keep working once they're home. It's easier now that my kids are older and entertain themselves, but it's not always easy to write something meaningful with the TV blaring in the background. My husband also works out of our home, so that can be challenging as well--we're always managing to interrupt each other at inopportune times.
Q: Let's play 'High/Low'. What's the best part of being an author? What's the worst?
A: There are a lot of highs for me. I love it when readers connect with a book and let me know. I love it when I get good news about my career (new contracts, making bestseller lists, being nominated for awards). I love to talk about my writing with other people and meet with other authors. As for lows, it's pretty much the opposite of the highs--bad reviews, publishers saying no, low sales figures. It's quite a rollercoaster ride!
Q: High/Low: parenthood?
A: I love watching my kids do what they enjoy and excelling at it. I love it when they're proud of themselves. I love it when they display kindness toward others. As for lows, again the opposite--getting upset over a bad performance or worrying over a bad grade, getting into arguments with their friends. And the worst--me realizing the times when I've not been a good role model and they're copying my bad behavior.
Q: No one else may care, but I took a brief look at your FB and your husband had an interesting theme to your Christmas gifts. Care to explain that?
A: HA! For years, he has always managed to get me a Christmas gift that either makes me laugh until I cry or embarrasses the heck out of me and I have to take it in another room to unwrap by myself. This time, he went full out and got me 12 of those crazy gifts, one for each day leading up to Christmas. He got me a foul-mouthed cookbook, a talking toilet paper roll, a farting butt bank, a book of cat poems called "I Could Pee on This," and a set of pens with some really weird sayings on them, to name a few. He made up for his nonsense on Christmas day, though, and got me a custom made electric guitar.
Q: Is there anything you wish people would ask about?
A: I guess my music--most people who know me know that I'm a musician, but not everyone knows I've got 2 recorded songs under my belt. I wrote them for my Java Jive series, as the heroine is a struggling musician/songwriter, and recorded them with the help of a friend at a local recording studio. They're on iTunes, etc. if you want to check them out!
Q: Ok, I'll bite. Let's talk about your music. You said you wrote your songs for your Java Jive series, but do you think it will be something you pursue further? Another thing on your "ahem" diverse resume?
A: I’d love to write and record music all day, but that would mean putting my day job (writing) on the back burner. I have a lot of music in my life anyway, as I’m the lead singer/guitarist/arranger for our praise band at church. Writing brass parts isn’t quite as fun as writing love songs, but it uses the same part of my brain. And I perform at open mic nights every time I go to Nashville, which is a couple of times a year. As for my other former jobs, I don’t think I’m ready to dive back into the mortuary world anytime soon…
Q: Speaking of diverse interests, as people who happen to be parents and do something to earn a living, we (people) often have interests too. What are some of yours?
A: Well, music. I’m lucky to be able to share that with my family—my husband plays piano for our praise band, my son plays trumpet, and my daughter sings with me. Aside from that, I love to cook, especially baking with my daughter. My son and I bingewatch sitcoms together and make Starbucks runs. My husband and I watch and even attend Pacers basketball games together as often as we can. As a family, we love to travel.
Q: One of my interests is genealogy and I happen to think your last name is interesting. Do you know where it comes from?
A: Yeah, real interesting. You would not believe the number of people who mistakenly thing there are actually people out there named “Farting.” Seriously? Anyway, I think it’s Scandinavian originally.
Q: Classic author question: What two pieces of advice would you give to aspiring authors?
A: I’d say the best thing you can do is surround yourself with people who are willing and able to help you get to where you want to be. I’ve got a great support system of family, friends, fellow authors, and industry professionals who help me polish my work, get my name out there, and offer great advice. Secondly, do your research. Keep up with what’s hot in the industry. Study the writing and marketing styles of other authors and learn what readers respond to best. Make sure what you’re writing has an audience. There’s nothing more soul-crushing than pouring months of your life into a manuscript and having someone tell you that no one is going to want to read it.
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