August 13, 2009
Ridley Pearson Discusses Killer Summer
By Denise Tong
The title of Ridley Pearson’s latest crime novel, Killer Summer (Putnam, 2009), might well dsecribe the past several weeks for the author. Since its publication on June 30, the novel’s swift pace and deft twists have earned it kudos from outlets such as Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly, as well as raves from numerous book blogs.
Summer brings back Pearson’s beloved character Walt Fleming, sheriff of Sun Valley, Idaho. Walt is in charge of protecting Sun Valley’s high-class annual wine auction, but quickly winds up trying to outfox a brilliant criminal who has planned an incredible heist.
Churning out popular fiction is nothing new for Pearson. The nationally bestselling author has written over two dozen crime novels and has co-written, with writer/humor columnist Dave Barry, a dozen adventure books for kids. Peter and the Starcatchers, one of his books with Barry, is being produced by Disney Theatrical. In 2003 Pearson adapted his novel The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer as a TV-movie.
Pearson also maintains three blogs: Prime Crime, where he writes about his crime novels, book tours, and travels; Wild Ride, where he offers information about his kids’ books and suggests general entertainment topics for younger fans to discuss; and Shanghaied Family, where he shares his experiences in Shanghai—he recently spent a year there with his wife and two children.
When he’s not writing in some form or other, he can sometimes be found performing with The Rockbottom Remainders, a band comprised entirely of writers who perform for the fun of it. His fellow bandmates are Mitch Albom, Dave Barry, Roy Blount Jr., Greg Iles, Kathi Kamen Goldmark, Stephen King, Matt Groening, James McBride, Amy Tan, and Scott Turow.
Read on for Pearson’s remarks about his process and connecting with his fans.
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CV: Since Killer Summer centers on a wine auction, did you toast to its completion with a glass? Or do you have a particular end-of-book ritual that you always follow?
RP: I sleep…kidding. I sent the book off to my editor and crossed my fingers and toes that it would “work” for someone else as it did for me. I have several bottles of red wine from an auction 10 years ago. I’m waiting to pop them…
CV: How has the process of developing this installment compare to the previous Killer books?
RP: I had incredible fun with Killer Summer. I think this was for two reasons: First, I’d had the second part of the story in my head for over five years—and some of it outlined—and have never worked it into a story. In outlining Killer Summer, I built the upfront section around this second half pursuit. Second, it was to be “heist novel,” in the tradition of heist movies—that is, constantly shifting sand beneath your feet; that was a particular challenge I enjoyed as a writer.
CV: Your experiences living in Idaho obviously infuses these books; how, if at all, did your experience living in Shanghai affected your writing or overall creative outlook?
RP: We’re just back from our year in Shanghai, and I think its effects are still resonating within us all, and will for some time. One plus of Shanghai—the entire rewrite of Killer Summer was done there—was the hours of uninterrupted time that resulted from the time zone difference. I haven’t had that kind of quiet writing time in a long while. It paid off, I think.
CV: How has your writing process in general changed over the years?
RP: Writing is an evolutionary process, changing year to year. I’ve been working for the past five years on simplifying story while expanding character. For me it has always been, and always will be: story, story, story. I want you hooked and unable to put the book down. I’m writing to entertain.
CV: You’ve developed a healthy Web presence—you write three blogs, update on Twitter, and recently uploaded a video to YouTube about Killer Summer. How has it been to interact with readers in these ways?
RP: For a long time my only contact with readers was through written letters mailed to my office as “fan mail.” The Internet allows a daily or hourly contact with readers, and I just happen to love it. I was a tech geek from the early roll-out of home PCs—anyone remember pre-Microsoft? That was me!—and I love what the Internet offers in terms of communication.
CV: What projects are you working on or in the planning stages for?
RP: I have a busy year coming up: Peter and the Sword of Mercy, co-written with Dave Barry, in October; Steel Trapp: The Program, in January 2010; Kingdom Keepers: Disney in Shadow in April 2010; the next Walt Fleming novel in July 2010. I’m currently working on Kingdom Keepers 4 and the fifth Walt Fleming novel.
Photo © Timathea Shays.
