A Conversation with Carol Pouliot

Somewhere in the vicinity a dog barks setting off a cascading rejoinder of yips, woofs and howls signalling the neighbourhood watch are on alert.

Not to be outdone a murder of crows looked down ominously from the roof of the old library and began a chorus of hoarse or grating coos, caws, clicks, and rattles creating such a din as to awaken the very dead.

The powdery snow squeaks, creaks and crunches under foot in protest and when you exhale your breath is a vaporous plume that floats momentarily before evaporating in the frosty air. A smile of anticipation emerges on your face as you climb the granite stairs to the library entrance where once through the doors you are free to go wherever your curiosity and imagination will take you.

The familiar musty scent of books tickles your nose and the ancient wide plank hardwood floor creaks and groans with each step as you cross the foyer. You climb the grand oak staircase to the second floor making your way to the Reading Room. The room is softly lit, the walls lined with deep rich mahogany shelves filled with wonderful books and you notice there is one empty seat just waiting for you. A low murmur of amiable voices gently greets your ears and immediately you sense you are among friends. Someone hands you a steaming cup of coffee and wrapping your cold hands around it you sink down into an inviting Morgan chair with its down filled deep seat cushion and a perfectly pitched, firm back, it really is as comfy as it looks. The English rolled arms enfold you as all your cares drift away.

A hush falls over the room as a well modulated baritone voice begins, “Welcome to the Reading Room, my friends. We’re glad you could join our conversation. Please help me welcome, our new friend, Carol Pouliot, author of The Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries, which includes Doorway to Murder (book 1) and Threshold of Deceit (book 2).

Good morning Carol and welcome to The Reading Room where you’re among friends. We’re very glad you joined our conversation, for the love of books.

James: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Carol: I came to writing quite late. I had already retired from a teaching career and decided to write a memoir that had been rolling around in my mind for a long time. When I sat down to write it, an amazing sense of contentment washed over me. I absolutely loved the feeling of telling a story. I submitted it to Victoria magazine. They loved it and asked for more. I did a second piece for Victoria but wanted to do more than 700 words. It was then that I had the idea for my series. I sat down to write and haven’t looked back.

James: “Imagination is like a muscle. I found out that the more I wrote, the bigger it got.” Philip José Farmer. Interestingly writing in good for us, there is a dopamine surge in our brain when we write which signals to other parts of your brain to numb pain, lower stress, and boost mood. Dopamine is a chemical that acts in our brains to increase reward and motivation like a runner’s high.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Carol: Thinking that your first draft is your last. I went through college and grad school never writing a rough draft. I organized my thoughts in my mind and used 3x5 notecards, then I sat down and wrote. Writing a novel is nothing like that. Some parts are re-written more than a dozen times.

Also, thinking that you can’t write or that writing is only for “other people.” If you have an idea, go for it! Get it down on paper (or in your computer) then work on improving your first, second, and third draft.

James: “There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” W. Somerset Maugham

Does a big ego help or hurt writers, Carol?

Carol: A big ego would hurt a writer because we need to be receptive to constructive criticism from Beta readers, writing groups, writing partners, and editors. Someone with an ego would probably have trouble accepting critiques, which are necessary to a well-written final project. I am happy to say that I have yet to meet a mystery writer with an ego. Every writer that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting has been humble, gracious, and helpful.

James: However, a lack of self-esteem or ego could cause the writer to feel their work is not worthy to be published.

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

Carol: I come from a family of readers. We went to the library every week and I came home each time with an armful of books. I still remember the wonder I felt getting lost in the adventures of The Boxcar Children and the boy who travelled into space in a rocket built in his backyard in The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet. As my reading skills improved, I experienced the struggles and shared the triumphs of the characters in John Steinbeck’s work and of the women in Henrik Ibsen’s plays. Later, in college, I fell in love with Baudelaire and Balzac. Words have the power to do everything−soothe, inspire, entertain, inform. I can’t imagine not reading.

James: Words cannot change reality, but they can change how people perceive reality.

Words have a taste, they can be sweet but subtle, like dark chocolate; they can smell of old books; they can generate a flamenco rhythm or gentle waltz; they can cause the feeling of the rain on your face on sunny summer days or feathery flakes of snow on a frosty winter's day. Words are cruel and spiteful sometimes, wise and loving at others.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer, Carol?

Carol: The best money I ever spent was in joining Sisters in Crime, a professional crime writers’ organization. (Joining was also the best advice I ever received.) I didn’t know anyone or anything about writing mysteries when I first started. As soon as I began attending monthly meetings of my S in C chapter, I started learning the craft and had the opportunity to meet fellow writers. This led to attending annual mystery writers’ conferences where I met more writers and eventually became a member of the mystery community.

James: How do you select the names of your characters?

Carol: There are almost as many answers to this question as there are characters in my books. I’ll select two.

My protagonist Detective Sergeant Steven Blackwell came to me fully formed. I knew his name, his character, his history, likes, fears, interests, and so forth. He just was.

As for my main female character Olivia Watson, I have always liked the name Olivia. Believe it or not, choosing Watson as her last name had nothing to do with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. I’m a big Harry Potter fan. I was watching the movies when I created the series. The actress who plays Hermione Granger is called Emma Watson. I named Olivia after her.

James: It’s fascinating how the mind of a writer works.

Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

Carol: Yes. In Doorway to Murder, Olivia and her friends Liz and Sophie reminisce about a mystery game they invented when they were kids. It’s the same secret game my cousin and I made up. (Okay, so it’s no longer a secret!) I also have a very good friend who has been extremely excited and enthusiastic in her support of my writing. Because I know she’ll get a kick out of it, I plant something just for her in every book.

James: Very clever.

How long were you a part-time writer before you became a full-time one?

Carol: Writing is my third career. I retired after teaching French and Spanish for 34 years. I also ran a business−a translating agency−for 20 years during that same time. Because I had the luxury of time, I started out as a full-time writer right away.

James: Our granddaughter is in South Korea learning Korean, Chinese and Japanese. I don’t know what career path she will choose from there.

I too am blessed with the luxury of time. I am retired from over 30 years in the international financial profession.

What are some day jobs that you have held? If any of them impacted your writing, share an example.

Carol: As I mentioned above, I taught for many years. However, the activity that has been most helpful was my work with U.S.A.I.D. I chaired an annual international business seminar for some 12 years, and had the opportunity to get to know many people from developing nations. I use their reactions and comments when they encountered something completely new in the United States. When Steven travels into Olivia’s time, 80 years in the future, he is stunned by the inventions and technology that no one in 1934 was even dreaming of. Channeling the reactions and comments of those visitors has been insightful.

James: I found that particular thought stream extremely fascinating.

If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?

Carol: I love Cornwall, the West Country in England. I might send Steven and Olivia there just so I can go back and “do some research.”

James: That could be interesting. My first book Evil Lurks in the Dark by Solomon Knight is set in Cornwall.

What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?

Carol: Chapter 1 in Doorway to Murder actually happened to me. Invite me to your book club and I’ll tell you all about it. (Sophie’s comment to Olivia about nearly getting kidnapped in South America – that happened, too.)

James: Wow! You can’t leave us hanging, Carol. You’ve got to elaborate on these revelations, please.

Please be sure to join us next Monday, March 1st, in The Reading Room to hear the REAL stories that inspired the Blackwell and Watson time travel mystery series.

James: What was the hardest part of writing your author bio?

Carol: I’ve been blessed and very lucky to have been able to travel extensively. It can come off as bragging – which I never intend or want to do.

James: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Carol: I love playing cards and board games with friends and family. I watch British TV, walk, and work out every day. And of course, I travel as much as I can.

Since the pandemic hit, I feel blessed that I can still do what I love most−write. I’ve spent a lot of time on Zoom keeping up with friends and family from all over the world. We visit and play games. It’s been wonderful getting together with people that I usually only see once a year.

The biggest benefit has been a coast-to-coast virtual mystery tour that I’m doing with 3 other writers. We’ve done “Sleuths and Sidekicks” events in all parts of the country in the past 3 months and continue to book more. (All the information is on my website.) I’m happy to say that staying in my house for a year+ hasn’t been too hard for me, although I do miss travelling.

James: Sounds like a balanced lifestyle.

What question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has? What is your response to that question?

Carol: Who would you like to play Steven in the movie?

Aaron Staton. Although he doesn’t look exactly like Steven, he could play him to perfection. I was impressed with the WWII American GI character he played in My Mother and Other Strangers, on PBS Masterpiece Theatre. He inhabited the character, who was a similar type of person that Steven is.

James: Pick one excerpt from one of your books that you would like to share with readers.

Carol: From DOORWAY TO MURDER

Patricia Castleman felt wonderful. The police were releasing her husband’s body, so she could plan the funeral and get it out of the way before the weekend. She’d telephoned the funeral parlor and arranged an appointment with Maurice Gettman as soon as she got the news. Now she was putting the finishing touches on her carefully chosen outfit.

She’d selected a dark green tweed suit—black was simply too depressing on such a glorious day. As the fitted, calf-length skirt slid over her hips, the rich fabric of the lining whispered across her silk stockings. She tucked a paisley scarf in the neckline of the short, molded jacket, fastened pearl earrings, and slipped a gold bracelet on her wrist. She took last year’s coat and cloche hat from the closet, chose a pair of soft leather gloves and matching envelope-style bag, into which she tucked a handkerchief, and made a mental note to be sure and use it when seated across from the funeral director. It would not do to neglect a show of emotion and distress on this sad occasion.

The peal of door chimes announced her taxi. Patricia took a final look in the full-length mirror and was satisfied.

“I am so very sorry for your loss, Mrs. Castleman,” oozed Maurice Gettman, as he attempted to guide her to a chair. Patricia was disgusted by this man and moved to the side so that she did not have to touch him. He was everything she loathed in a man. He was stooped, thin, and had combed a few sparse strands of oily hair over a bald pate. Ick. Let me get this done and get the hell out of this place before I’m sick.

An hour later, the arrangements were made. Patricia insisted that the customary three-day wake followed by the funeral was too much. A wake on the day before the funeral was enough. After all, everyone already knew Leo was dead. The newspaper notice would inform them of the service times. Let people take the responsibility to rearrange their schedules if they wanted to pay their respects.

Patricia shocked the funeral director when she chose, not the top of the line as befitting Mr. Castleman’s status in the community, but a casket in the middle price range. Why waste all that money when you were only going to put the damn thing in the ground, she thought.

The director was pleased, however, when she asked him to conduct the funeral on the premises. Leo had never been a religious man, she explained, had not attended church regularly. She did not think it appropriate to pretend otherwise. They discussed what Gettman would say and the music. Patricia remembered to feign a sniffle and dab her dry eyes with the handkerchief. She requested that he take care of the flowers and any other details that I simply can’t think of right now.

What Patricia really wanted to do next was stop in The Three Lords for a nice big gin and tonic, but she forced herself to go straight home. She’d make one herself.

James: Thank you, Carol. It has been interesting, insightful and a pleasure talking with you. We look forward to continuing our conversation next Monday, March 1st.

Bundle up warm and watch how you go on those snow covered streets everyone.

Order your copies of Carol’s time travel cosy police procedurals, Doorway to Murder (book 1) and Threshold of Deceit (book 2)TODAY!