Page 49 - Reader's House Magazine

Unraveling Intrigue: Lynn Slaughter’s novels delve into suspenseful plots, intricate characters, and societal complexities, offering readers captivating journeys.
life-changing experience for me and made me extremely aware of my own white privilege and how complicated it was to be a person of color in a society where discrimina- tion is baked into every institution. My summer roommate was an aspiring opera singer with a voice from God. I loved her very much, and in many ways, she inspired my protagonist in LEISHA’S SONG.
In my writing process, I often start out with a wisp of an idea, often drawn from something I’ve witnessed or heard about. For example, an adult dance student once shared with me that during high school, her twin had been murdered. Her story stuck with me and became the premise for IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU.
Before doing any plotting, I delve into character, especial-
ly their backstories. In Clara’s case, she grew up in a family of musicians, and her murdered twin had been a piano prodigy. Clara’s
MFA program. I learned to meet deadlines, and I not only received constructive feedback from my mentors but lots of encouragement and support. Perhaps the best lesson I learned is that you have to put your “butt-in-the chair” on a regular basis to make progress as a writer.
In Deadly Setup and It Should Have Been You, your characters find themselves embroiled in murder mysteries and legal battles. What drew you to the mystery genre, and how do you approach creating suspenseful
his three daughters. Our interests, passions, and dreams were largely discounted. This was a painful experience, and there’s no question it has influenced the themes in my writing. In both LEISHA’S SONG and WHILE I DANCED, parental figures actively discourage their daughters from pursuing their artistic passions. I hope that what readers will take away from their stories is that coming of age invol- ves the difficult process of learning to stand up for yourself and make choices for your own life, as well as the value of creating your own intentional family.
Your bio also mentions your role as a grandmother of five. How does your family life and the relationships you have with your grandchildren influence your writing, if at all?
I love reading with my grand- children, and it’s made me so aware of the joy and meaning books add to our lives. My close relationship with my eldest grandson, who is African Ameri- can, has also been a powerful re- minder that young people of color need lots more books with people who look like them. In addition, one of my younger grandsons read a draft of my forthcoming middle grade novel, THE BIG SWITCH: VARNEY AND CEDRIC. His enthusiasm about the story encouraged me to persevere in finding a publisher.
As for my background as a professional dancer and dance educator, I think it led to aut- henticity in the dance scenes in WHILE I DANCED and MISSED CUE. Living that life gave me insight into what it’s like to be passionate about an art form which is very competitive whi- le also lending itself to close friendships and romances. Dancers spend long hours together in the studio and on stage. I don’t think it’s an accident that I met my husband in a dance company!
Lynn Slaughter’s storytelling weaves intricate mysteries with societal depth, celebrating resilience and diverse voices, enriching literature with authenticity and empowerment.
plots and compelling who- dunits?
I blame it all on all those Nancy Drew mysteries I gobbled up as a child! I love the idea of a proactive young woman determined to solve a mystery and restore justice.
In plotting, I try to present a protagonist with lots of obstacles and red herrings. It can’t be too easy, or it’s boring. And of course, the
Many of your novels feature strong female protagonists facing complex challenges and navigating intricate relations- hips. What inspires you to center your stories around such characters, and how do you approach crafting their journeys and development?
Well, obviously, I am female, and I think growing up can be a complicated journey for women. We’re often raised to please and to be caring and sensitive to the needs and feelings of others. What sometimes gets lost is the need to balance caring for others with the need to honor our own needs and interests.
gift was writing, not music. In her family, her sister got most of the attention, and she was more or less the forgotten child. Her emotional journey had to do with recognizing her own worth.
Your bio mentions that you returned to school to earn your MFA in Writing Popular Fiction. How did this decision impact your writing career, and what valuable lessons did you learn during your studies that you apply to your writing process today?
I benefited greatly from my
stakes for the protagonist have to continue to rise until either their life, or life as they have known it, is in grave danger.
Family dynamics and the quest for identity seem to be recur- ring themes in your novels, such as in Leisha’s Song and While I Danced. How do you explore these themes through your cha- racters’ experiences, and what messages or insights do you hope readers take away from your stories?
I grew up with an autocratic father who laid out life scripts for
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