The Randye Lordon Interview

East of Niece

Introduction

Excerpts:

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

An Interview with the Author

East of Niece Q&A with Randye Lordon
Anna Leigh Newton Interviews the Mystery Novelist

Q: Why do you write about family?

A: I wanted a strong common denominator, something that ALL people share. Family seemed like a good place to start. Whether you like your family or not, whether yours is what's considered to be a traditional family unit, it doesn't matter because we all have a sense of family. It's easy to point out the differences between people, but I think its more positive to look for our similarities.

Q: Who is your favorite character in the series?

A: Actually, I don't have one. However, from the feedback I get I would say that most people seem to be drawn to Aunt Minnie. I will say that I think it took me longer to flush out Sydney than any of the other characters. For example in Brotherly Love, which is the first in the series, I felt that Minnie was far better defined than Sydney.

Q: Are the people in Sydney's family based on real people in your life?

A: Yes and no. My sister tells people that she's Nora, but she's far more evolved than Nora will probably ever be. I am, however, the youngest in a family of three and that can't help but color my storytelling. I think if you have siblings, your placement in the family food chain has a huge impact not only on who you are, but specific neurosis that creeps into your life as you get older.

Q: For example?

A: Well, for example most people I know, men or women, if they were the youngest in the family there is an unspoken -- often-unacknowledged -- sense of entitlement because they're the baby and used to being pampered to some degree. By the same token most youngest siblings are often less sure of themselves probably because they spent their entire childhood having their older sibling(s) telling them the right way to do whatever it was they were doing, whether it was coloring or climbing stairs. Now I don't think older siblings meant to control their baby brother or sister, I think that as children they simply wanted to share the benefit of their experience. However, old habits die hard and I know a lot of people who are the oldest sibling and they can't help but show you the right or easier way to do something. In a way I think it's their job.

Q: What happens when you run out of family members?

A: You know, initially I thought the list would be relatively short, but I recently made a list of the various familial relationships that exist. I came up with just over 20, which actually puts the Sydney Sloane series on a par (nearly) with Sue Grafton's alphabet.

Q: Humor seems to play a big role in your books.

A: Humor has always played a big role in my life and I think part of the reason for that is that my childhood was very chaotic. I believe that we develop tools for survival at a very young age. I funneled my rage into humor because it worked for me; I was able to hide behind it, as well as fit in with everyone else who I thought was normal. I don't think there is such a thing as normal.

Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?

A: Actually, I wanted to be a nun, and a lawyer, a newspaper editor and the owner of a ranch with a zillion horses. I guess it hit me when I was about four that I really wanted to be Rosalind Russell or Joan Crawford (okay, who knew then what she was into?) Anyway, I figured the way to have it all was to be an actress. It wasn't until I was in my mid-twenties that I started to write. Now I can't think about doing anything else.

Q: Do you do anything else?

A: Yes. My partner and I have a new media and Web site design business.

Q: Are you currently working on another Sydney book?

A: Absolutely. Son of A Gun. This one deals with adoption, genes and, oh yeah, a paraplegic ex-nun. (You knew I had to get a nun in somewhere ;-) ).