Sibella Giorello Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself. 

A. I grew up Jewish but got saved on a reporting assignment at Pentecostal tent revival in the woods of Virginia. These days I live on a mountain in Washington state with my New York-Italian husband (who gave me this last name that rhymes with my first name), two really funny sons, one large dog, a temperamental parakeet and a Russian tortoise that could’ve run the KGB. Between and among all that, I write mystery novels which, hopefully, induce insomnia.

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

A. Part of me always knew words would be some centerpiece of my life. If nothing else, I’d write a lot of letters. Writing as a living only occurred to me when I realized I’m a lousy scientist; I planned on being a geologist. But I tumbled into newspapers — and never looked back.  I’m often struck by how dumb my own plans were compared to God’s.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break? 

A. I had zero-zilch experience writing but some inexplicable act of charity came through an editor of a Seattle rock-n-roll magazine. He assigned me to review bands. Me, with my degree in geology – the only “rock” I knew — but it turned out to be a totally glorious tutorial. The assignments coincided with Seattle’s rise in the music scene. And that editor went on to become noted book author Charles Cross.

From there, I wound up at the daily newspaper in Richmond Virginia with another angel-editor. He rarely gave me assignments, trusting instead my instincts for stories. Over the next ten years, I wrote about the city’s odd-balls, historical mysteries, and “ordinary” people who did the most extraordinary things. It was grace, all of it.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release The Stars Shine Bright? 

“The Stars Shine Bright” is the latest Raleigh Harmon mystery. Once again our intrepid forensic geologist is literally stuck between a rock and a hard place. The FBI sends Raleigh undercover to Emerald Meadows, a horse track, where she’s supposed to figure out who’s fixing races. But she soon discovers something even more sinister. Meanwhile, however, her fiance is pressuring her to quit her job and her mother is locked in an insane asylum. Dark times — which is always when stars appear.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for The Stars Shine Bright?

A: Shadows have always seemed more interesting to me than the actual objects that create them. In this case, I got to write about the dark side of the horse track — trainers, breeders, grooms, sharks and mobsters — everyone hiding secrets, and knit together by these beautiful animal-athletes.  How could I resist?

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A: I hope they remember how Raleigh Harmon deals with life. The girl’s got courage to burn. She doesn’t shrug, she doesn’t roll over. She kicks through life’s thorns and wrestles every stinging moment for answers.

We should all live so bravely.

Q: What is your favorite scene/chapter from the book?

A: The ending. Not only do the threads weave together but Raleigh launches right into her next adventure. I’m a sucker for those endings-as-new-beginnings.

Q: What inspires you to write?

A. Life. Generally it makes no sense until I start writing.

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession? 

A: My expectations have always been pretty low, frankly. I never wrote for fame or fortune or infamy. All I wanted was a certain kind of book — an authentically gritty mystery featuring a kickin’ cool female who didn’t swear, sleep around or have a drinking problem.

Every time someone sends me a note, voicing their love for Raleigh Harmon, my expectations are met.

Q: What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?

A: Know that you’re just getting started.

I don’t mean that facetiously: Writing is a life-long apprenticeship. You never finish.          

Unless you quit. Or die.

In my case I hope those things happen simultaneously — the only reason I quit writing was because I died.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now? 

A. I’m writing the next Raleigh Harmon mystery, which begins a new branch in the series. It should be out in 2013.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do? 

A. Hang out with my family, and run.  Boring, I know. But after following Raleigh Harmon around, boring is attractive.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet? 

A. Come visit my webpage www.sibellagiorello.com. Or drop by my Facebook page where I post fun stuff.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?

A. I’m so grateful for this community you’ve created here at The Suspense Zone. I learn so much — and I never have to wonder, “How can I find a good book?”