Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Dennis Pierce

What inspired you to write “Cross Checking”?

Pierce: Cross Checking is the second book in a series about an average guy—a former journalist turned PI—who takes on powerful (and dangerous) adversaries.

In my first book, Swinging for Power, the hero finds himself in over his head when he suspects the governor of his state is behind a double murder. Baseball is mentioned a lot in the book, and the title is a baseball phrase that also applies to the story’s premise.

For my second book, I wanted to continue this same naming convention, so I chose a hockey phrase (Cross Checking) that would relate to the novel’s plot as well. In this book, the hero takes on a fanatical church leader bent on punishing society’s “wicked” … and the story’s inspiration came directly from this hockey phrase.

With Cross Checking, however, I wanted to write about two mysteries that would somehow converge. I’ve always loved treasure hunts that involve solving clues or riddles, like in the National Treasure movies with Nicholas Cage—so I thought I’d create a treasure hunt for this second plot.

That was really fun as a writer, because I got to design clues the protagonists had to solve. I hope it’s as fun to read as it was to write.

How did you come up with the names of your main characters?

Pierce: I’m a big fan of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser novels, and I named my main character Parker Hanson in honor of Robert B. Parker.

To name my other characters, I would think of a defining trait and then look up names that signify that characteristic. For instance, I chose the name “Amalia” for Parker’s ex-Army Ranger neighbor who helps in his investigations (and gets him out of danger), ecause I liked that it meant “strong, vigorous, active, or industrious”—and Amalia is a strong, capable, and reliable person.

Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process, or your book?

Pierce: Although my books are set in New Hampshire, I live in Massachusetts with my wife and our dog, Bruin, named for the Boston Bruins. I’m a big fan of Boston sports, as well as GenX pop culture. In fact, I snuck the names of more than a hundred 80s bands and musicians into my first book—and Cross Checking includes many references to 90s music.

When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?

Pierce: I like to change up where I write, as I find this keeps my mind fresh. Sometimes I’ll write at the desk in my office. In the spring or summer, I’ll write outside on my porch. During the winter months, I’ll write in a chair in front of the wood stove. When I need a change of pace, I’ll go write in a coffee shop or in the local library.

If I’m still having trouble writing, I’ll take a break and do something else. Some days the words just aren’t flowing. Rather than force the issue to meet an arbitrary word goal, I’ll go for a hike or read someone else’s work. When I return to writing the next day, usually the process is much easier—and I often make up for the prior day’s lack of productivity.

Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?

Pierce: Yes, I have lots!

1. Anyone can be an author—and it’s never too late to start. I self-published my first novel at age 54.

2. This seems obvious, but you have to write to become an author. Make it a priority like any other task, such as exercising or spending time with friends. Find what works for you and stick with it.

3. The real work begins once your book is finished. Whether your goal is to be traditionally or self published, you’ll need to spend a lot of time thinking about how to pitch your book—to agents, publishers, readers, reviewers. I’ve found that my pitches have evolved over time as I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and what resonates best with readers. Be open to experimenting and constantly tweaking your presentation, especially if it’s not working at first.

What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?

Pierce: Not surprisingly, mysteries and crime thrillers are my favorite genre. As a child, I devoured the Encyclopedia Brown mysteries and—later—all the Sherlock Holmes short stories.

Besides the Spenser novels, the books I most enjoy today include Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch and Renee Ballard crime thrillers, Walter Mosley’s Easy Rollins mysteries, and Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series. I also love anything by Agatha Christie, The Alienist by Caleb Carr, and Pretty as a Picture by Elizabeth Little. And I just discovered Janet Evanovich’s books about female bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. I don’t know how I haven’t read them before, but they’re fantastic—and I love Ms. Evanovich’s witty writing style!

I’m a big fan of The Best Mystery Stories of the Year series edited by Otto Penzler and The Best American Mystery and Suspense series edited by Steph Cha, which are both annual collections of the year’s best crime-related short stories. I’m pretty easy to shop for at Christmas, as I welcome getting both of these anthologies in my stocking every year.

I like heroes who stand up for others, especially the downtrodden. Heroes who aren’t morally ambiguous. They might find themselves in morally ambiguous situations, where it’s not clear what the right thing is to do—but they should always strive to do the right thing.

Aside from mysteries, some of my other favorite reads include The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, and 11/22/63 by Stephen King.

What are you working on next?

Pierce: For my third book, which I just started writing, I’ve continued the same naming trend. I was already committed to the bit, as they say in comedy—so what choice did I have?

I looked for a basketball phrase that could suggest the plot of my third novel, and I found the perfect choice in Full Court Press. Once again, Parker and Amalia take on a corrupt system much larger than they are; this time, it’s a state judicial system that’s suspected of taking bribes to influence court rulings.

I’ve also started writing another book that isn’t part of the Parker Hanson mystery series. It’s a speculative crime fiction novel featuring a female lead character, police detective Mara Ainsley. It takes place in the 1980s, and Mara is visited by a detective from the future who needs her help in solving a case.

Readers can learn more about me and get regular updates on my work by signing up for my email newsletter on my author website, www.denniswpierce.com. If they do, they’ll get a free collection of my short stories. I’m also on Threads: www.threads.com/@denniswpierce.

Interested in checking out Cross Checking for yourself?

Find it for purchase here.

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