A question or two about writing

by donalee Moulton

A new book means new opportunities to talk about writing. Here are a few questions I’ve been asked as Cardinal takes flight. 

What was the most difficult piece you ever wrote? What made it difficult?
I wrote an article early in my career about an infant born several months prematurely (with only a tablespoon of blood in its entire body if I remember correctly) and the fight to save the little one. I recall drafting the article with tears streaming down my cheeks. In that moment I realized, for me, that journalism was about moving people as well as informing them.

What sort of research do you do for your work?
Research is essential, even when you think you won’t need to do a lot of it. For example, there were key elements to my first mystery book Hung Out to Die that had to be authentic, at least in a fictional context. I had done a lot of reporting on the cannabis industry and had the opportunity to tour a cannabis-production plant before it opened. Likewise, for years as a freelance journalist, I wrote on the health sector and health issues, including mental health and personality issues. As a communications specialist, many of my clients were from this sector. All of this research knowingly and unknowingly fed into Hung Out to Die.

Which books and authors do you read for pleasure? Is there an author that inspires you?
I relish reading. I was a judge in the Crime Writers of Canada’s Awards of Excellence this year, and I got to dive into fabulous – and very diverse – books that kept me on my toes and my eyes glued to the page. When I was younger and I was discovering the wonder and wow of the mystery genre, I devoured authors like Tony Hillerman, Martha Grimes, Ruth Rendell. More recently I have discovered writers like Richard Osman. And Delia Owens’s Where the Crawdads Sing was nothing short of joyous.

Was there a person who encouraged you to write?
My mother taught me to love language – and to respect it. She cared about words and getting the words right. She was my greatest influence.

What would you say are your strengths as an author?
I always find it easy to get distracted when I am writing. As a freelance journalist, however, I learned to stay on track. Working to deadline meant there often wasn’t time to travel down interesting but non-essential paths. You are also working to a specific word count as a journalist so you know no matter how interesting the asides, they will not make it into the article for length reasons. Rigor is required.

How often do you write, and do you write using a strict routine?
I am not a marathon writer. I am a sprinter. I can’t sit and write for hours at a time. I break up my writing by taking a yoga class, soaking up some sunshine, checking email, doing some paid work. I do try to write 1,000 fictional words a day. Some days I achieve this. We don’t need to talk about the other days.