Laurie Buchanan offers us a peek into the next installment of her harrowing Sean McPherson series as well as her tips and tricks in writing. With this interview, fans can see what goes into the making of such a thrilling series!
TSM: What can fans of the Sean McPherson mystery series expect from this installment, Impervious?
LB: In fast-paced book three of the Sean McPherson series, readers can expect to be plunged and lifted to emotional heights and depths—love, hate, joy, grief, and loss.
TSM: Were there any real-world experiences that inspired the setting and characters of the series?
LB: A trip to New Orleans that included an airboat tour of alligator-infested swamps and bayous was the inspiration for a pivotal point in this book’s edge-of-your-seat storyline.
TSM: What was your process in developing Sean’s character over the course of three books?
LB: The most loved characters experience a character arc that’s not only believable but relatable. So I continue to develop Sean McPherson by introducing new fears, hurdles, and the outside perspectives of secondary characters. These lead to turning points that test his mettle and hone his personage. And, of course, all heroes must have a flaw. Sean McPherson’s is the almost unbearable weight of survivor’s guilt.
TSM: How does your background in medicine influence your writing?
LB: My medical background, particularly the mental aspect, informs my ability to write authentically about narcissistic, sociopathic, and psychopathic characters and how this influences their thought patterns and subsequent behavior.
TSM: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
LB: I’m often asked this question at writing conferences, and I offer the same four-fold advice each time:
- SHOW UP. You can’t produce much if you don’t sit at your desk daily and write.
- BE CONSISTENT. Treat writing as you would any other professional career. Establish a schedule, stick to it, and protect it. Your friends and relatives won’t honor your writing time if you don’t.
- STAY ON BRAND. The Sean McPherson novels pivot to different geographic locations from Pines & Quill, a fictitious writing retreat in Bellingham, WA. When creating social media graphics, I maintain a specific font, color palette, and Pacific Northwest theme. Yes, writers must consistently be on at least one social media platform.
- DON’T BE BUSY, BE PRODUCTIVE. Many people are “busy” and have nothing to show for it at the end of the day. True writers write. At day’s end, they have tangible results.
TSM: What other thrillers or authors in the genre do you enjoy? What drew you to the genre?
LB: I was drawn to this genre because it’s what I read. No, make that devour! My favorite authors include David Baldacci, Robert Bryndza, Ann Cleeves, Liv Constantine, Robert Dugoni, Keith Houghton, Louise Penny, and Hank Phillippi Ryan.
TSM: And finally, what’s next? Any new projects that you foresee in the future?
LB: I’m committed to eight books in the Sean McPherson series—one each spring through 2028. I’m hoping that number will grow. Iniquity releases in 2024, Illusionist in 2025, and I’m currently writing Innocuous, which releases in 2026.