Interview with FJ Harmon

Published 2015-08-29.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up on the northwest side of Detroit, but spent my college days spending my weekends in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I spent many a Friday evening at the P-Bell, which is why it has appeared in my Mace Franklyn mystery series. Summers in Ann Arbor are great, winters not so much, but I fell in love with the place, and the reason it appears in my Mace Franklyn mystery series also.
When did you first start writing?
I first took a stab at writing when I was in my mid-thirties, but the pressures of work and family quickly put an end to that. I didn't pick up writing again until I retired in 2007. I started learning about writing and publishing and began my first book Revenge For What Is Sacred.
What's the story behind your latest book?
In my latest book, Duplicity's Child, you experience the mystery from the twisted mind behind the murders, and from a struggling criminal profiler, Mace Franklyn. Mace has emerged from a black time in his life, where his marriage ended in divorce and he was forced out of the FBI. A natural criminal profiler, his former FBI instructor asks him to assist on a case. Jumping at the chance to put his career back on track, he struggles with his new role as consultant investigator rather than lead, and is challenged to keep a professional relationship with the medical examiner, who turns out to be his ex-wife. Success in profiling and catching the serial killer proves elusive with the killer seemingly a step ahead of the investigators. Suspecting betrayal on the investigative team, Mace risks everything to trap the betrayer and the serial killer, and discover the secret of duplicty's child.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords has enabled me to provide my ebooks to a larger audience through their centralized distribution and conversion process to all eBook formats and eStores.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The greatest joy in my writing is receiving feedback from my readers on their experience reading my stories. Almost all the reviews and feedback has been very positive, and the negative ones are helpful as they point out areas for improvement.
What are you working on next?
In my next book Mace Franklyn, forced to give up his consulting business, faces new challenges chasing a serial killer that uses computer hacking technology to hide from his victims and the SBI. The investigation tests his new relationship with his ex-wife Helyn, and his ability to deal with the ghosts of his FBI past.
What is your writing process?
In my writing I am an obsessive outliner, but as I write each chapter the characters take over. The characters and I have certain emotional and physical objectives towards advancing the story, but usually the characters add some twists of their own, which adds a lot of excitement to the process.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I use my Kindle for pleasure reading, and my notebook PC (yes, I know almost stone age) for research because it makes it easier to make and store research notes.
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