A Conversation with Wendy Whitman, an inspiring Thriller Author

Wendy Whitman has become an expert on the subject of murder in America, through her knowledge of the most detailed aspects of the crimes. Before attending Boston University School of Law, Whitman worked for comedians Lily Tomlin and George Carlin. After graduating from law school, the author embarked on what turned out to be a twenty-year career in television covering crime. She spent fifteen years at Court TV and another several at HLN for the Nancy Grace show, where she appeared on air as a producer/reporter covering high-profile cases. Whitman received three Telly Awards and two GLAAD nominations during her tenure at Court TV.

Let’s get started with a quick rapid fire.

Q1. If you could be transformed into one mythological creature, which one would you choose?

Medusa

Q2. What time do you usually go to bed at night?

One AM

Q3. What are the least-likely three words someone would use to describe you?

cold/ unemotional/ judgmental

Q4. Where did you go on your last vacation?

Toronto

Q5. Would you rather find your dream job or win the lottery? You can’t do both.

Finding my dream job would be like winning the lottery

Q6. What is one thing you regret spending money on?

A novel not to be named

Q7. What object do you misplace or lose the most?

wallet

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Q8. If you were a spy, what would be your codename?

Sugar babe

Q9. What secret about the universe would you most want to learn?

If it is indeed infinite

Q10. What never fails to make you laugh?

Often myself

Q11. What was one “before” and “after” in your life?

My job at Court TV

Q12. What do you think people misunderstand about you?

My political views

It’s time for a more detailed conversation, Wendy.

You’ve answered our rapid fire brilliantly, Wendy. Now, it’s time for our readers to know more about the person behind the book.

Q. Tell us something about yourself that’s going to keep us wanting more.

Recently I’ve become involved with some organizations that rescue dogs from the meat trade. I went up to Toronto to a safehouse where some of those dogs have been quarantining before coming to their forever homes in the United States. This has become a passion of mine and I plan to adopt as well.

Q. Well, that’s just…memorable for sure. So, what books have you read more than once in your life? 

I have never read a book more than once.

Q. Interesting. Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing? 

Many of my former colleagues and friends have been incredibly supportive. They include Nancy Grace, Jack Ford, Ashleigh Banfield, Rita Cosby and many others – all in television and some are bestselling authors!

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

Although my second book which will be released next summer is filled with interesting plot twists, I can’t say that I hid any specific secrets in my debut novel Premonition nor in the sequel. But some people may be more in tune with what may or may not happen.

Q. Now comes the most anticipated question that every author must answer. How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?

At first they used to freak me out and demoralize me, but I now feel that every book isn’t for everyone and reviews are extremely subjective so I try to learn from them when they make a good point but blow them off when they are unnecessarily harsh and not thoughtful.

Q. What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?

It’s hard to say because I think they are intertwined. But if I had to choose I guess I’d say the plot because that is what the book is all about. However, I always mention in i interviews that what makes or breaks a book is the characters – the reader has to relate to and love the characters or else the book will fail.

Q. How do you develop your plot and characters?

When I wrote my debut crime thriller Premonition I had a very definite storyline and purpose in mind so the book flowed pretty easily. The same happened with the sequel although I had to give a bit more thought to the plot details. When you write about something you are passionate about even if the novel is fiction, and the author loves their characters I find that the writing flows.

Q. You got 100 points. You need to divide them on the basis of how relevant and important they are to you as a reader and a writer for your book or someone else’s when you are reader. Your options are Plot/Story, Dialogues, Book Cover, Marketing, Reviews.

As an author I would say 40 for plot/story; 30 for book cover; 15 each for marketing and reviews.

As a reader I would say 40 for book cover; 40 for plot/story; 10 each for marketing and reviews.

Q. So, now, about your book. Talk to us about it. No major spoilers.

My debut crime thriller Premonition is the culmination of my twenty-year career covering crime at Court TV and on the Nancy Grace show. Although it is a fictional psychological thriller I wove 20+ true cases throughout the novel through the protagonist’s point of view and thoughts. The main character is a woman who has always felt she was going to be murdered and then crosses paths with a serial killer. The ending blew everyone away.

Q. What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?

I had the hardest time writing the ending and also keeping track of some of the plot details. But I went over it again and again to make sure everything made sense and there were no holes in the plot. I was very detailed about that.

Q. What is your kryptonite as a writer?

My kryptonite was writing as they say “what you know” and that meant my passion which is crime and fighting for the victim. I consider the book my tribute to murder victims and that motivated me even though it is fiction.

Q. What risks have you taken with your writing that have paid off?

I think sitting down and writing any novel is an automatic leap of faith. That is the risky part: just trying. But listening to your inner voice will push an author in the right direction. Basing the protagonist loosely on myself was part of the risk. A writer puts themself out there the second they begin the writing process. You automatically draw on your own life, emotions, perspective so the risky part is exposing parts of yourself to the world.

Q. Let’s talk about the process of writing. Do you do research while writing a book to add more authenticity? What kind and how far do you go – ever traveled to a foreign place just for the sake of your book?

I’ve never traveled to a specific place for the sake of my books, instead I set them in my own backyard. Again, write what you know. If I decide to make the series into a trilogy however I may set the third book in another country that I love and have visited frequently. The only research I did for Premonition and the sequel was facts about the true cases I included. I made sure every detail was accurate.

Q. What was your hardest scene to write?

I can’t answer this without giving a critical part of the story away, but I can say there was a particularly emotional scene that was challenging to write and I cried after I read it.

Q. Well, this has been great. Now, before we wrap this up, do you have any suggestions to help someone become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Just to follow your instincts and your heart; write about something you are passionate about even if it’s a fiction novel. Write what you know. Love your characters and it will all work out.

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