Suspense Magazine November 2012

John Connelly (JC): “Do you think God hates you” If he was sitting in front of me and if I was the author and he was the
character I’d ask, “Do you want to know what’s going to happen to you”
S. MAG.: The beginning or the end of a book—what do you feel has more impact on a reader, but which is more difficult to
write for the author
JC: That’s an interesting question. It’s funny, for my books, people often seem to remember the beginnings more. I’m very conscious
of honing an opening to a book that draws the reader in that is atmospheric and that has a tone of the writing that makes it very
clear to come later. I think you hook the reader with the beginning.
S. MAG.: And do you feel that the beginning is more difficult for you to write or the ending
JC: Well, the ending almost takes care of itself. There is a momentum by the time you’re that far into a book. I feel that I write the
endings quite quickly because you have a momentum behind you at that point and the ending should be written quite quickly
because if you’ve done the book right, a reader should read the ending quickly. Whereas the start you will have to think more
about. You are making a very conscious effort to pull a reader in. Plus, the beginning tends to be conscious and the end is
instinctive.
S. MAG.: In the Charlie Parker series for a new reader that’s just finding out about it, which book do you say
they should start with
JC: There are those who, if you’re reading a series, will tell you that you have to start at the beginning and there are
those who tend to be slightly less didactic about it. For writers, it’s a bit different as writers hope they are getting
better. You really hope that you’re tenth book is better than your first. If not, why are you writing But readers don’t
always agree on that. For example, if you were starting to read James Lee Burke, I’m not sure that “Neon Rain” is
the best place to start.
I think he finds his feet with his second book “Heaven’s Prisoners.” So for Burke, you might be better off saying, start with
“Heaven’s Prisoners” and then if you want to skip back to “Neon Rain” you can. Then there’s a school of thought that says,
“No! You must start at the beginning!” I think the sixth or seventh book in my series, because it’s a self-contained little
story.
S. MAG.: What is your favorite and least favorite word and why
JC: All of my favorite words are probably swear words actually and I’m trying to be quite careful about how I use them.
Oh wait, I actually do have a favorite word. One of my favorite words is “chthonic.” And do you know where I learned this
word from When MTV started many moons ago they used to have a word of the day. It would probably astonish people who
SuspenseMagazine.com
67