FAQ’s

Steve E. Clark, answers your questions about writing and “Justice is for the Lonely”.

Below are some favorite questions asked by Steve’s fans.
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Q: You are a lawyer for major medical malpractice cases. What made you want to switch gears and write? 
​I have always loved to read. I have plowed through Tolstoy, Dreiser, Maugham as well as current fiction novels, usually one a month. I wondered if I could write as well as what’s published today.

Q: How did you get started?
Originally I was trying to impress a very literate girlfriend but alas . . . Later I took a writing class, then puttered around for years. In 2006 I went to Mystery Writers class in San Francisco and got more serious. Now I try to crank out 500 words a day or edit a chapter.

Q: Can you talk a little bit about what suspense novels mean to you?
Escape from the boredom of reality. A chance to live vicariously.

Q: Where do you get your ideas from? 
My cases, current events and interesting people I have met as a lawyer, along with some inspiration from current thrillers. Also occasional dark thoughts.

Q: What are your future projects? 
I am sending Kristen to London and getting her involved fighting a terrorist cell. It’ll be a sad day for terrorists. Also, I am writing a young adult novel about one of Sarah’s friends, who has terrible self-esteem.

Q: What will your next book be? 
“Justice Is For the Deserving,”  another Kristen Kerry thriller. She gets in even more trouble.

Q: How many books will be in the series?
5 or 6

Q: When will the next book come out?
Late spring 2016

Q: Is there someone you modeled the character Kristen Kerry after?
In part. I have known women who are adult children of alcoholics and my nieces were college athletes. I suppose she’s a bit of a fantasy.

Q: How deep do you see Kristen Kerry going in law and romance?
Without giving stories away, Kristen is in for a lot of trouble. The 4th and possible 5th are plotted as mysteries.

Q: What scene in the book are you proudest of and why?
The scene when Stern discovers the secret of her childhood abuse. I get emotional every time I read it.

Q: Do you have a favorite character in the book and why?
Kristen or possibly her sister Tina who is a total mess. But a lovable mess.

Q: Which comes first the story or the character?
Character- in the next books I put Kristen in a jam and kind of let her work through it, but throw more obstacles at her.

Q: Are the medical and law terms used real life?
Absolutely.

Q: What is a typical day for Steve Clark? Do you have a set routine you use to get your writing done?
Most days I find a couple hours at work to create or edit. If not I try to find an hour at night between catching kids’ activities.

Q: Can you name some of the authors who have influenced you as a writer?
Mark Burnell, Peter Robinson, Tess Gerritsen and Scot Turow come to mind.

Q: You are marooned on a desert island, but before your ship sinks, you can grab any one book of your choosing. What would it be and why?
War & Peace – I slip so easily into the characters and was sad to finish it.

Q: What’s your best advice for someone who wants to be a writer?
Read!

Q: What words of advice would you give to someone looking to publish his/hers very first book?
Find an editor who will really criticize. Your friends only tell you it’s great. You don’t realize they may be lying.

Q: What kind of kid were you growing up? Were you a good student?
A little bit of a loner, quiet, a good kid. Always the youngest in my class, so I got picked on some. If I liked the subject – History, English or Chemistry. I was excellent. If not- not so good, especially if I was smarter than the teacher.

Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?
Lawyer – I watched Perry Mason as a kid. Unfortunately, nobody in my trials has ever confessed.

Q: When you are writing do you have a favorite drink to keep you going?
Vanilla flavored coffee.

Q: What do you like to watch on TV?
Dramatic series on cable like Outlander, the Affair, and Band of Brothers. Lots of sports and some news/debate shows.

Q: What type of music do you like to listen to?
Old stuff- Joni Mitchell, Chrissy Hynde, Moody Blues, The Beatles.

Q: What is your favorite color?
Navy Blue

Q: What is your favorite sport?
Football

Q: Do you have a hobby?
My son’s sports. Before they graduated I coached 4 daughters in fast pitch softball. I also travel and go to Europe every year. I speak bad German and really bad French.