Interview with James Scott Bell

We are privileged to have James Scott Bell as our first Keep Me In Suspense guest. He is the bestselling author of Presumed Guilty, Glimpses of Paradise, Breach of Promise, Sins of the Fathers and several other thrillers. He is a winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in inspirational fiction, and is currently fiction columnist for Writers Digest magazine. His popular book Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure is from Writers Digest Books. (His full biography is at the end of this interview. His website is: www.jamesscottbell.com)


As an attorney, you have the enviable position of “insider” information. How much does that really help you in writing suspense?

When it comes to legal suspense, it's invaluable. You get to know the guts of a system, the ins and outs. That doesn't mean that I still don't have to do research. I want every detail to be right. So when I need some specialized information, I find lawyers I know who can help me out.

For example, the other day I needed some research in the area of capital cases. I've never tried of murder case. So I called friend I knew who put me in touch with a lawyer, a public defender, who does only capital cases. She was happy to have me come down to the courthouse and talk about what she does.

I've found that professionals love to talk about what they do, if you are trying to appreciate it. And readers like to read about specialized work. So if you can make a character's work come to life, your book will come to life for your audience.

Where would you recommend a “non-lawyer” go to research legal procedure for their suspense novel?

One good resource from a Writers Digest Books is called Order in the Court. It's a basic primer on the legal system. You can use that to formulate intelligent questions to ask a lawyer.

If you are focused in your questions and show the person you're not going to waste his time, more than likely you'll find someone to sit down with you or maybe answer questions over the phone or by e-mail.

How much do legal procedures and the law change from state to state on criminal matters?

Every state has its own penal code and code of criminal procedure. And even the local courts in the various cities will have different ways of doing things. That's why it's important to do research in the locality of your setting.

You not only write, you teach writing, so what would you say is the classic mistake new writers make when writing suspense or mysteries?

A couple of things spring to mind. First, it's starting out the story too slowly. Warming up the engines. Many first chapters I read are all about setting up things, introducing characters, and not getting to some trouble. It's essential in a suspense novel to at least get a sense of foreboding in the opening pages.

On the flip side, some new writers will pour on the action sequences in what becomes a circus of explosions and corpses and chase scene. Character also counts. In fact, the stronger your lead and opposition characters, the more suspension will generate because readers are going to care about what happens.

Of all your suspense novels, what is your favorite and why?

It's hard to say. Breach of Promise worked out well as more intimate kind of suspense, what happens to a normal guy whose wife tries to take custody of their daughter. The suspense comes from the terrible family law system we have, where money talks.

On the other hand, Sins of the Fathers dealt with an almost impossible situation – a mass killing by a 13 year old boy. How is a lawyer going to handle that? I set myself a real challenge in the premise, but like how it came out.

In what way(s) do you think suspense or mysteries might explore some aspect of our faith that a romance novel would not?

I'm not sure there's a real distinction there. The great thing about fiction and characters is that you have an infinite universe of themes to explore and can put them in any context. What will differ is the tone and feel of the story.

What trends do you see in CBA suspense and mysteries that you didn’t see just five years ago?

The writing is much stronger now. Part of the reason is that the standards for CBA fiction have gone up, and talented writers are putting in the hard work of learning the craft. This is all a very good thing.

What changes (if any) would you like to see in the CBA suspense/mystery market?

I think things are developing nicely. There is really no area of life that cannot be dealt with in CBA fiction now. Presumed Guilty has both the porn industry and some fallout from the Iraq war in it. Ten years ago, I don't think the book would have been published.

Most CBA suspense writers have a favorite ABA suspense or thriller writer that they love. Who is your favorite and why?

Probably Michael Connelly. His detail work is superb, and he does great characterizations. For past authors, I love the paperback crime novels of John D. MacDonald from the 50's, and of course Raymond Chandler.

If you were able to gather all the CBA suspense and mystery writers into one room and tell them two things to help them, what would those two things be?

Don't resolve anything too soon. Suspense is all about stretching out uncertainty. And make sure death is an imminent possibility for the Lead at all times. Death can be physical, professional or psychological. If the Lead can't die in one of these ways, the stakes aren't high enough.

JAMES SCOTT BELL is the bestselling author of Presumed Guilty, Glimpses of Paradise, Breach of Promise, Sins of the Fathers and several other thrillers. He is a winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in inspirational fiction, and is currently fiction columnist for Writers Digest magazine. His popular book Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure is from Writers Digest Books.

Jim attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver. His student screenplay, Freshman Year, won a Corwin award. He graduated with honors from the University of Southern California Law Center, and has written over 300 articles and numerous books for the legal profession. He has had two screenplays optioned for feature film production and is on the faculty of Act One, the Hollywood screenwriting program.

A former trial lawyer, Jim now writes and speaks full time. He appeared as an expert commentator on Good Morning America, CBS radio, and in Newsweek magazine during the O. J. Simpson murder trial. His book on search and seizure law is the leading authority in its field, used extensively by lawyers and judges throughout California every day. He lives in Southern California with his wife, son and daughter. His website is www.jamesscottbell.com.