I host a program at the Edina Art Center in Minnesota called, The Author’s Studio.  I interview local authors from a variety of genres.  It’s great fun for me and great for the audience because they get to meet many writers.  Recently, I interviewed best selling mystery writer, William Kent Krueger.

His popular series stars Cork O’Connor and they usually take place in Northern Minnesota.  But he’s also written a new book called Ordinary Grace, which was an Edgar winner in 2014.  Here is some of my interview with him:

Me:  Why did you write a book without your great character, Cork O’Connor?

WKK:  I’ve always wanted to try something different.  It took me three years to complete this story.

Me:  It must have been thrilling to see: Edgar Award winner: William Kent Krueger.

WKK:  Thanks.  I put everything I know about storytelling into the book.  I think it’s my best.

Me:  Very few writers win that award.  How did you feel?

WKK:  Wonderful, of course.  But I’m most appreciative for all the readers over the years who have supported my writing.

Me:  Is there anything we don’t know behind the writing of the book?

WKK:  People don’t realize what a big risk it was.  A risk for my publisher and a risk for me—what if readers weren’t happy with it and wanted Cork back?

Me:  Ordinary Grace reminds me of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”  Your story is also told from the viewpoint of a young boy.  It’s a mystery, but it’s also a coming-of-age story.

WKK:  (Smiling)  Well, Harper Lee’s book is one of my favorites.  I’ve often said it’s a good example of a “perfect book.”

Me:  What about our old friend, Cork O’Connor?  After all those books, how do you keep him fresh?

WKK:  All characters go through an arc of change and Cork is no exception.  It’s just that his changes are over a longer period of time.  His family and his environment also change.  That keeps every story fresh and different.  And, like all of us, Cork get older!

Me:  You also do a lot of research on Native American customs that play such a large role in your books.  Are they accurate?

WKK:  I’m happy to say that members of the Native American community have told me that “I got it right.”  I’m very proud of that.

Me:  You are a full time writer who actually makes a living at it.  Tell us how you started.

WKK:  Years ago, I was working in a lab with the dream of writing full time.  I have a wonderful wife who offered to work full time while I pursued the dream.  The deal was I’d try one book and see it I could make it.  I had dozens of rejections for the first one but finally sold it.  And it sold well enough for me to write a second and here I am today.

Me:  And the dream came true.

WKK:  And now my wife is retired and also very happy.

See out full interview at The Author’s Studio:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az8Cwbx0ARw