LOWCOUNTRY BOIL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS




How would you describe the plot?

Lowcountry Boil would be considered a character-driven mainstream suspense novel. Though certainly a southern novel, it is not a local-interest regional book. It is the story of people—prominent community members—getting involved in an illegal endeavor that grows far beyond their original intentions, becoming a multi-million dollar smuggling conspiracy. The story also examines moral weaknesses in essentially decent people. And it explores the strength and heroism required of those who refuse to buckle under the burdens of what life has served up to them on their platter.



What inspired you to write this novel?

Though the idea began to ferment from stories I heard of actual events in the small lowcountry town in which I lived, the book is entirely fiction and not based on any stories or research of those actual events. The idea of people who did not need money or prestige and, in several of their cases, not having a great deal of interest in either of those things, getting involved in such an enterprise was intriguing. The only motivation for several of them was the quest for relief from a normal, predictable, unexciting and unstimulating life. The thrill of being on the edge and, perhaps, challenging authority.



How long did it take you to write Lowcountry Boil?

The first of what I thought was the final draft was completed in eleven months. The true final draft was finished eighteen months later; consequently, 29 months or almost two and a half years.



What was the secret of Sam Larkin’s past?

I don’t really want to give away the secrets of his past because that would greatly detract from the suspense factor in the book.



Sam finally seems at peace with himself when he comes to Covington. But his life is really going to become complicated, isn’t it?

As with most of life, often what we seek and achieve is not what we expected when we began the quest. Someone once said if you want to make God laugh, make plans. Sam tries to be a pragmatist, live an orderly life, but life intrudes as it often does in reality.



Are Sam Larkin and Karen Chaney based on any people you have known?

No one in the book is based on any one real person. Of course every author takes the characteristics of people with whom he or she has come into contact to develop their fictional characters. Certainly a tattooed tradesman with a long pony tail who spoke of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pat Conroy and their use of lyricism had a lot to do with the enigmatic persona of Sam Larkin. There are a great many women for whom I have exceptionally high respect. The women in this book are a combination of all of them.



You have a great variety of supporting characters. Do you have a favorite and why?

I really like them all for different reasons, of course. Certainly Bitta Smalls and Marvon Jefferies, two little boys who provide a fulcrum for the plot, tend to steal everyone’s heart and attention. Skeeter Crewes is a great character because of his strength and attitudes and clear vision. He sees things as they are, doesn’t make excuses, tries to live a decent life with what he has and sees through many of those around him.



Describe the Lowcountry.

The book and the people in the story best do that.

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