Interview With Mystery Writer Robert Parker

News Type: Other — Tue May 15, 2007 11:04 PM EDT

entertainment, sbutki-interview, sbutki-review, parker, sbutki-books

This is the first of a two-part feature.

This week we have an interview I conducted in recent days by email with mystery writer Robert Parker.
A week from today I will submit for publication a review of his three last books as well as thoughts on his career in recent years.

In addition to his famous Spenser novels, Parker has started up two new series.

Last month his first young adult book, Edenville Owls, was published. He also had a new book, High Profile, published in February, and his next one, Spare Change, comes out on June 5.

I have been able to interview many of my favorite authors, for Newsvine and for Blogcritics, but I don't think I have ever been as nervous or excited as I have been with this one since his writing means so much to me.

I have struggled, in reviews, in explaining why I'm such a fan. I have even been known to suggest I share some qualities with Spenser.
.

Scott Butki: In recent years you have started two successful new series, one featuring Sunny Randall and one featuring Jesse Stone. Why did you decide to do that?

Robert: It takes me about three months to write a book, so I had time. In Jesse's case, I thought it would be interesting to try another character, different than Spenser, younger, less evolved, of the law, rather than outside it, told in the third person. In Sunny's case, I was asked by Helen Hunt to create a character for her to play in a series of movies. I created the character, but the movies didn't materialize.

Scott: Where do you see these series going over time?

Robert: I have no idea where the series will go, or if they will go. I don't plan ahead. When I start a book I don't know where its going, let alone a whole series. I just plow along.

Scott: I've enjoyed how in some of your books you've had characters cross over from one series to another. What made you decide to do that?

Robert: Crossing the characters over from one book to another seemed like a good idea at the time. People in the same line of work in a relatively small geographic area, often cross paths, I think. As I said above, very few decisions are made in advance.

Scott: What would you like to be known for?

Robert: I know its kind of corny, but I'd like to be known for being Joan Parker's husband, and David and Daniel Parker's father. Everything else is just noise.

Scott: What question are you most tired of being asked?

Robert: I never tire of questions about me.

Scott: What question do you wish interviewers would ask but they always neglect to do so?

Robert: I'd like interviewers to ask me how I maintain my movie star good looks. But they never do.

Scott: What made you decide to write a novel aimed at a younger age? Robert: My publisher asked me to write a YA novel. So I did. Get 'em young I suppose.

Scott: I have read that you do not re-write, instead writing ten page a day. Have you ever regretted not going back and rewriting anything?

Robert: One of the many reasons I don't rewrite is that one is never fully satisfied. If I reread the manuscript 20 times, I'll rewrite it 20 times. It can become endless. And the 20th draft is no better than the first one, just different. No, I don't regret not rewriting anything.

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8.7

{"commentId":710514,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

I had planned to write this tomorrow but I knew I'd be thinking about it all nite (I don't sleep well when I'm finishing up a story - I keep waking up with ideas on ways to better it.)

I have to say, though... I can't imagine a writing life without rewrites. Well, except for the Writing Down the Bones exercises, but that's different.

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3 votes

#1 - Tue May 15, 2007 11:59 PM EDT

{"commentId":710684,"authorDomain":"pwtenny"}

Paul William Tenny

Robert: I have no idea where the series will go, or if they will go. I don't plan ahead. When I start a book I don't know where its going, let alone a whole series. I just plow along.

This is how I write scripts. It takes a rare breed to get it right the first time, but if you can do it, it's key to inhuman production on short schedules.

{"commentId":710684,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"pwtenny"}

3 votes

#2 - Wed May 16, 2007 2:37 AM EDT

{"commentId":710969,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Interesting. Thanks for the response.

{"commentId":710969,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

4 votes

#2.1 - Wed May 16, 2007 9:00 AM EDT

{"commentId":714193,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Oh and these are books 30-33 - you can see the rest of the 30 so far this year here.

{"commentId":714193,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#3 - Thu May 17, 2007 11:55 AM EDT

{"commentId":719018,"authorDomain":"sdquinn"}

Sean D. Quinn

Very nice interview.
Doing some research, I saw his Spenser series was a TV show on ABC in the later part of the 1980's.

{"commentId":719018,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"sdquinn"}

1 vote

#4 - Sat May 19, 2007 12:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":719027,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Thanks, Sean.
Yes, it was. I never watched any of the tv or movie versions of any of his books.

{"commentId":719027,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#5 - Sat May 19, 2007 12:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":719639,"authorDomain":"dianesowo"}

Diane Wright

Glad to see this interview of one of my favorite authors too, Scott. I think what the two of you have in common is that dry irreverent sense of humor! Lovely.

{"commentId":719639,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"dianesowo"}

1 vote

#6 - Sat May 19, 2007 6:46 PM EDT

{"commentId":719789,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Hi, Diane. Fancy meeting you here. You should check out my writing exercises.
Yes, the interview was a delight.

{"commentId":719789,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#7 - Sat May 19, 2007 9:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":721490,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Have any of you watchd any of the tv or movie versions of Parker's books?

{"commentId":721490,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#8 - Sun May 20, 2007 9:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":2273871,"authorDomain":"ProgrammerDude"}

Chris from MN

I did. Urich was a pretty decent Spenser, but Avery Brooks totally nailed Hawk to the point I had a hard time forgetting Hawk when Brooks was on DEEP SPACE NINE.

{"commentId":2273871,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"ProgrammerDude"}

1 vote

#8.1 - Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:35 PM EDT

{"commentId":2274930,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

I prefer my vision of Spenser to that of the tv series.

{"commentId":2274930,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

#8.2 - Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:40 PM EDT

{"commentId":2278307,"authorDomain":"ProgrammerDude"}

Chris from MN

Agreed. Fortunately, when I read a Spenser, I do NOT see Robert Urich in my head.

I DO see Brooks as Hawk, though. :-)

{"commentId":2278307,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"ProgrammerDude"}

#8.3 - Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:25 PM EDT

{"commentId":724396,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Part two has been published

{"commentId":724396,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#9 - Tue May 22, 2007 2:59 AM EDT

{"commentId":735052,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) ButkiDeleted

{"commentId":2273844,"authorDomain":"ProgrammerDude"}

Chris from MN

Oh, my, I wish I had a bit more time today... I've been a serious Parker fan ever since THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT. If I could pick one fictional character to be, I think I'd be Spenser!

A few things that really stand out in his books:

One is his love for Joan (Susan) and Pearl (Pearl :-). I believe every Spenser book is dedicated to Joan.

Then there's how his books are exactly long enough, even when they seem too thin. (It reminds me of how they serve spaghetti in Italy. It always seems like there's not enough sauce, but there always is exactly the right amount.)

And most importantly, there's one of Spenser's creeds that's become one of mine. There are very few things in life you can control. But one of the few is doing what you say you'll do. Keeping your word, which in turn makes your word actually worth something.

God, what I wouldn't give to actually meet Spenser and Susan and Hawk (and Pearl)... I've "known" them for going on 30+ years!

{"commentId":2273844,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"ProgrammerDude"}

1 vote

#11 - Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:29 PM EDT

{"commentId":4813476,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

And most importantly, there's one of Spenser's creeds that's become one of mine. There are very few things in life you can control. But one of the few is doing what you say you'll do. Keeping your word, which in turn makes your word actually worth something.

agreed!

Now sure how I missed your comment before, Chris, but I'm glad you liked this and share my love of Parker

{"commentId":4813476,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

#11.1 - Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:25 PM EST

{"commentId":4813775,"authorDomain":"ProgrammerDude"}

Chris from MN

Definitely an old comment! I do recall us exchanging comments about Parker last summer. Must have been another thread.

Sad comment: A guy here at work likes to plan lunches that involve (1) going to some ethnic restaurant to check out the food and (2) a round-table discussion on some topic he's picked.

That's not what's sad... what's sad is that this week his topic is: You can invite five people from anywhere in history to dinner. Who will you invite and what will you cook?

What's sad is I realized all my picks.... were fictional characters. It's all well and good to say I'd invite Einstein, but Albert would probably think I was a moron and refuse to talk to me.

*I* want to meet Susan and Spenser and Pearl much more than any historic character I can think of. Sad, sad, sad.

{"commentId":4813775,"threadId":"103843","contentId":"721351","authorDomain":"ProgrammerDude"}

#11.2 - Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:44 PM EST

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