A Q&A WITH JOY ELLIS
What inspired One More to Die?
I wanted to step away from my usual characters for a while, and I built Kate on an old friend of mine who had the most amazing dual life. She managed to completely separate work from home, as if she were two different people. I often wondered what would happen if those two worlds collided. Then another friend told me a very unsettling story . . . and One More to Die came into being.
Was it harder or easier to write a novella versus a full-length novel?
No difference at all. It’s still a three-part plan . . . a beginning, a middle, and an end. Have to say I rather like writing novellas, but very often, on finishing one, I think, hell and damnation, that could have been a full-length novel!
What’s the weirdest thing you Googled while writing this?
Not weird exactly, more scary, but was researching stalkers, and in the UK, statistics state one in five women have experienced some form of stalking in their lives. That shocked me.
Describe DI Kate Carter in three words.
Professional. Caring. Genuine.
What do your dogs think of your writing schedule?
I don’t have a writing schedule! Seven dogs, and a hectic and erratic life, put paid to that years ago. I write when I can, and as long as they are exercised, and a full tummy, the dogs love to chill out either with me in my office, or Jacquie . . . where ever she is, and all is well!
Which of your dogs would make the best K9 companion for Kate Carter?
Oh my! The smartest by far is Jasper . . . he should have been a working dog, as he rarely stops! But I’m going to give Kate our Scampi. Laid back to the point of falling over, something she does regularly, she also has a turn of speed that amazes us, especially when heading for the biscuit tin! She is spatially unaware and would canon into the villains and lay them out ready for handcuffing in a nano second. And the rest of the time she would act as De-stressor Dog for an over-worked Kate!