Paulla Hunter is a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Wyoming Writers. She earned her B.A. from the University of Wyoming in English, Speech and Drama. She has a passion for history, reading, theater, travel, and. A long-time resident of Cheyenne, Wyoming, she lives in a historic downtown area of the city with her husband.
SunLit: Tell us this book’s backstory. What inspired you to write it? Where did the story/theme originate?
Paulla Hunter: In Cheyenne, my friend bought an old house. While he was moving in, he discovered a body in the crawlspace. He decided to turn the home into his art showroom and live elsewhere.
SunLit: Place this excerpt in context. How does it fit into the book as a whole? Why did you select it?
Hunter: This is the beginning of the book. I think it shows all of Darcy Moreland’s characteristics. Her tenacity and passion for her chosen profession. She is an investigative reporter for a local TV station. Also reintroduces HankNelson, a police investigator who is sometimes annoyed by Darcy and her commitment to get the story at all costs.
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SunLit: Tell us about creating this book. What influences and/or experiences informed the project before you sat down to write? I
Hunter: I love CSI programs. I love that they can go into a scene and recreate what has happened. This is just the sort of interesting mystery Darcy would love. Two bodies were buried under the house 60 years apart. So, there are actually two mysteries in the story. I also wanted to extend her romantic interest in Hank Nelson, the local police detective.
SunLit: What did the process of writing this book add to your knowledge and understanding of your craft and/or the subject matter?
Hunter: When I was at a writing conference at the Denver chapter of Rocky Mountains Fiction Writers, I went to a session that was given by a retired CSI, and he talked about the process of securing the scene and what possible information they can glean. He also said if we had any questions, feel free to email him. I asked him how he could determine the two bodies’ approximate dates of death. He was amazingly helpful. And I thank him in the book.
SunLit: What were the biggest challenges you faced in writing this book?
Hunter: I had created two mysteries and although they were investigated together, I had to remember to keep the two investigations of the actual incidents apart.
SunLit: What’s the most important thing – a theme, lesson, emotion or realization — that readers should take from this book?
“Brittle Bones”
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Hunter: I wanted to present both Darcy and her quests for stories but also how dogged police detectives are, especially Hank Nelson, when he is investigating a case. I am a big fan of persistence, and both Darcy Moreland and Hank Nelson epitomize that characteristic.
SunLit: Why would Darcy move back to her old hometown instead of staying in the much more metropolitan Kansas City?
Hunter: There is back story in “Rough Ride,†the first book in the series, that talks about why she moved home. But she stays home because she makes friends and enemies but is immersed in her job. She can have an impact
SunLit: Tell us about your next project.
Hunter: I am working on the fourth book in the series. It will start with the murder caused by a bee swarm.
A few more quick questions
SunLit: Which do you enjoy more as you work on a book – writing or editing?
Hunter: Writing
SunLit: What’s the first piece of writing – at any age – that you remember being proud of?
Hunter: I think it was when I was in college, and I had a friend who was editing the campus literary magazine. I showed him some vignettes that I had written just to get his feedback. Next thing I know he had put it in the magazine without my permission. It was both flattering and frustrating.
SunLit: What three writers, from any era, would you invite over for a great discussion about literature and writing?
Hunter: Nora Roberts, Willa Cather, and Edward Rutherford.
SunLit: Do you have a favorite quote about writing?
Hunter: At the last writing conference I attended they were giving out stickers that said, “I Make Things Up.†I loved the truth and humor of that. I think that’s what writers do at the most basic level.
SunLit: What does the current collection of books on your home shelves tell visitors about you?
Hunter: I have books in every room of my house. I have a bookcase that belonged to my grandfather; I have a bookcase that I made myself in the high school shop when I was a teacher; I have a bookcase in the basement between the guest room and the bathroom; I have a bookcase in an old secretary in the living room.
I also have a bookcase in my tiny library and books in my kitchen (cookbooks). We once hosted C.J. Box ( a best-selling author and really nice guy,) and his wife for dinner. We live in an older home and they wanted the tour. When we finally sat down again he said, “Wow you guys are readers.†I was very flattered.
SunLit: Soundtrack or silence? What’s the audio background that helps you write?
Hunter: Silence. I could’ve had dibs on the office upstairs that has four beautiful windows looking out, but I knew I would be looking out the windows watching people walking their dogs or interesting cars going up our street, so I have my office downstairs with tiny window at my back. I do like music when I’m editing because I find it tedious.
SunLit: What music do you listen to for sheer enjoyment?
Hunter: I like old folk songs. They are easy on the ear and often tell stories. I also like country for the same reason.
SunLit: What event, and at what age, convinced you that you wanted to be a writer?
Hunter: I don’t think I ever thought about being a writer until college. I took all of the writing classes that I could, and I fell in love with putting words on the page.
SunLit: Greatest writing fear?
Hunter: That I run out of things to write about.
SunLit: Greatest writing satisfaction?
Hunter: That I found a small press that likes my writing and is willing to publish my books. Also, I’m flattered when people tell me they loved my books.