Interview with Julie Smith
by Jon Jordan
Julie's Web Site

May 2002

JON:  You already have three other series, and now the second book in series four is coming out. How would you describe the adventures of Talba Wallis, AKA Baroness de Pontalba? And how about Eddie?

JULIE:  If ever there were an odd couple, Talba and Eddie are it--but it's hard to get good help these days, and even Eddie would have to agree that Talba's about as much of a hotshot as he's going to find in Louisiana.

She's a PI rookie with a lot of native smarts, endless inventiveness, and plenty of book learning, especially where computers are  concerned. She's young, African-American, female (naturally), and a poet, all of which are qualities Eddie's suspicious of. He's Italian, an ex-deputy sheriff, street-smart rather than college-educated, and almost totally computer-illiterate. He calls her "Ms. Wallis" and she calls him "Eddie"--it's a generational thing. But here's the thing--as they work a few cases together, they're finding mutual areas of respect. I only hope Eddie never finds out just how much Talba relies on illegal electronic devices. He suspects, but boy would he be shocked!

However, you asked me how I'd describe their adventures. I'm tempted to succumb to the sin of hubris and say "fun." Well, let's put it this way--they're meant to be fun, even though each of the cases so far has involved some pretty serious issues. But let's face it, you don't get light fluffy issues in a PI book-- if you did, you'd just end up with a toxic meringue. It's Talba's approach to life that's fun--that and her creative solutions to detecting problems. She's no adorable bumbler like Stephanie Plum, but she's also a hip young urban sleuth with her own, shall we say, unique approach--just an entirely DIFFERENT kind.

JON:  The tone between the Skip Langdon novels and Rebecca Schwartz novels is pretty different. Does it make writing easier to be able to switch series?

JULIE:  The older I get, the harder writing gets. I sure wish something would make it easier. But a little variation does make it more entertaining.

JON:  I have to be honest and say that I hadn’t heard of the two  Paul MacDonald books. Can you tell me a little about them? By the way, I love the title Huckleberry Fiend!

JULIE:  Of all my detectives, Paul Mcdonald is the most like me--or like I was at one time--a former reporter and aspiring mystery writer trying to scratch out a living freelancing odd writing assignments. In TRUE-LIFE ADVENTURE, I gave Paul a job I once had -- writing client reports for a detective agency. Like the Rebecca Schwartz books (and now, I hope, the Talba Wallis ones), Paul's stories are pretty light-hearted. HUCKLEBERRY FIEND is about a lost manuscript that, in real life, actually turned up a few years after I wrote the book -- and in remarkably similar circumstances. However, I can't really advise readers to go out and buy the books, due to the fact that they're out of print.

JON:  You actually met the Reverend Jim Jones?

JULIE:  Jones, who became the prototype for Skip Langdon's nemesis, Errol Jacomine, was the subject of a newspaper story I almost wrote -- I say almost because, thanks to Jones and the considerable political pressure he was able to apply, the story really came out something like a big wet kiss -- and I KNEW how dangerous he was. It just kept getting more and watered down in every rewrite and editing. He watched my house, went through my garbage, the whole thing. I gave my own story to Jane Storey, the reporter, who pours out her heart on the subject in KINDNESS OF STRANGERS. My editor wanted me to trim the scene a bit, but I said, hell, no, this is why writers write. And guess what? In writing it, I put another piece of the puzzle together. I never could figure out how Jones knew so much about the progress of the story, but Jane figured out he had her phone tapped. I later asked an FBI agent if that was possible, he said, not only was it possible, it was what cults did.

JON:  I read that you actually got your Louisiana PI license. That’s pretty cool. Did you do it as part of your research? Are you investigating cases?

JULIE:  I did do it as part of my research--I figured I might as well take the course Talba had to take, and then I realized if I did that, I could actually get licensed. I don't actually take cases--which would be a bit unethical considering how little I know about being a PI--but there's certain pro bono work I do if called upon. Since I can now get into databases not open the general public, I'm always glad to background suspicious characters for people--particularly if they appear in the form
of a new boy friend, say. Lot of weirdos in the naked city.

JON:  I like the way you introduced Talba in 82 Desire, and then moved her into her own series. But does this mean we won’t see any more of Skip ?

JULIE:  Sure we will. I'm almost finished with her new adventure, MEAN WOMAN BLUES, which is due out next summer. By the way, I didn't have the brilliant idea of introducing Talba as a minor character with the idea that she could spin off her own series -- that came as the result of a number of reviews that suggested it. What a fine idea, I thought. (With perfect hindsight.)

JON:  You formed Invisible Ink when you were in San Francisco. Is it still around?

JULIE:  Ah. That was the odd-job free-lancing that got me through. Actually, the client reports I mentioned were an Invisible Ink job. Since we've spoken about it in public, I think it's okay to say that I had two partners, one of whom was Marcia Muller. We called ourselves "editorial consultants" rather than free-lancers, which we thought ought to make us more valuable. If we hadn't sold our novels, we'd probably have built the Invisible Ink skyscraper by now, in the shape of an ink bottle -- anyhow, that was our fantasy. But we did get published, and Invisible Ink was happily laid to rest..

JON:  How many newspapers have you worked for? Did you like newspaper work, or was it more of something to pay the bills till you could write novels full time?

JULIE:  I worked first for the New Orleans Times-Picayune as a feature writer and then for the San Frandcisco Chronicle, where I became the first woman reporter in Chronicle history who actually stayed awhile--hiring policies at the time were extremely sexist and backward by Southern standards. Where I come from, journalism was considered a good job for a woman, like teaching school--by the time I was hired at the Chronicla, two women from Mississippi (one a classmate of mine) had already won the Pulitzer! I loved being a reporter for the first ten years or so, and then I burned out.

Unfortunately, I spent four more grinding years trying to figure out how to support myself if I quit. (Invisible Ink was the solution.) As a feature writer for the T-P I learned things about New Orleans I'd never have learned any other way--I
don't think I could have written the Skip Langdon series without that experience.

JON:  Do readers influence your writing at all? I’ve always trusted that the writers I really love will keep writing books I really love without input from me. But sometimes at signings or conventions I hear people ask writers to do another in a series, or can’t so and so get married.

JULIE:  Actually, it was readers and reviewers who first suggested giving Talba Wallis her own series. Don't say I never listen. In fact, readers beware--people are always telling me good stories they think I should turn into fiction.. I listen dutifully to everyone's story, and if I hear a really good one, I grab it. Heeeheeehee, you can't copyright a spoken idea -- especially if you've just given it away! Aside from converting other people's ideas into cash cows (thanks ever so, ladies and gentlemen) one can't exactly fulfill individual requests--it's not like ordering an ice cream cone, because two readers might order different flavors for the same book. (I do like to be asked though.)

JON:  A few writers have said that they write because of all the different ideas rolling around in their heads. Sometimes the only way they can get to sleep is to put in on a page. Is that a part of why you write?

JULIE:  Sure. The minute I have two seconds alone without something to read, stories start taking root in my tiny head. This is why writers find the question "Where do you get your ideas" funny? There's nothing intrinsically wrong with it, it's just that a writer can't exactly relate to it.

JON:  If someone was coming to New Orleans for a week, what places would you make sure they went to? And where should they eat?

JULIE:  I'd send them right to my website, www.casamysterioso.com , and tell them to click on "La. Hot Stuff," which lists my 20 favorite things to do in New Orleans, also favorite places to shop, eat, listen to music, etc--plus the all-important "Avoid At All Costs." the top of the list being any drink named after a tropical storm or explosive device. Uh-uh. Just don't go there; Aunt Julie knows best.

JON:  You’ve written enough books that you are actually an influence on some of the new mystery writers. Who were your influences?

JULIE:  Probably Raymond Chandler was the big one, though who knew at the time? I didn't find it out till I'd written several books and realized how much I owed him. I think he influenced all the people who might have influenced me, though I can't think of any other Americans to name. I wasn't a John D. or Ross Mcdonald fan till later, and they'd probably be the other two
biggies. When I first started writing, I liked the Brits too-- even the much maligned Dame Agatha. Oh, and I loved the repartee in Ellery Queen--they were Americans, now that I think of it, though not really of the School of Chandler. Actually, I'm quite a mimic--I'm probably influenced by every writer I read. I'm not sure if the question meant only mystery writers, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Southern writers as well--Eudora Welty, Tennessee Williams, and of course Mr. Faulkner.

JON:  What’s the most demanding part of being a writer?

JULIE:  Writing. No, I'm lying--revising. It's like restoring a house-- can't you just start from scratch and build one faster?

JON:  When you have free time, how do you like to spend it?

JULIE:  Traveling with my husband--we'll pick up and go anywhere on two seconds' notice. Also, I like movies and, naturally, books. Sailing is nice, so long as I am not required to hoist any sheets, or whatever you call it. Least faves: upscale sports. Tennis, skiing, golf, that kind of thing -- fuhgeddabout it. Oh, did I mention I'm quite a barfly? Regular connoisseur of smoky, mysterious room where people are swapping life stories. Careful, though--I remember things.

JON:  How cool was it winning an Edgar for New Orleans Mourning? Were you at the banquet?

JULIE:  Only slightly cooler than the polar ice caps. Yep, I was there-- with a horrible cold. I wasn't going to go, but people made me, and boy, was I glad. You know how sometimes when you're watching the Oscars, some fool just can't contain himself and actually runs up to the podium?  Well, I was that kind of fool.

JON:  What are some of the books you’ve enjoyed reading lately?

JULIE:  This is such a tough one, because there are so many good books in the world. I just finished Jeff Deaver's THE STONE MONKEY,  and I'm now reading Dennis Lehane's MYSTIC RIVER. S.J. Rozan's WINTER AND NIGHT is next. One thing I want to read soon is Lalita Tademy's CANE RIVER. A newish writer I love is Ace Atkins. Also Laura Lippman, though she's not so new any more.

You wanna know my secret vice? YA books. Yep. The Harry Potter books were a huge influence on the way I think about writing--or storytelling, I should say--and made me want to write fantasy for young adults. Going to get around to it any minute.

JON:  So tell me if I actually read this right, You live in a house with a ghost AND a serial killer story???? On Purpose????

JULIE:  Actually, I moved. The cat didn't like the ghost.

JON:  Has there been any interest in putting your words onto the screen?

JULIE:  Many flirtations, one near-engagement, and not a single offer I couldn't refuse. Why don't they have an online service for this sort of thing--moviemaker.com or something?

JON:  Is there anything that people would be surprised to learn about you?

JULIE:  You mean besides the spacecraft thing? (Actually, I guess most people already know about that.) Here's something-- I was happily single most of my life and got married only five years ago. Of course this could happen to anybody, not just me, but I think people like to know romance can occur at any time--by the way, I'm ninety-five.

JON:  Is there anything you miss about San Francisco?

JULIE:  Three things--the great fresh produce, alternative health practitioners (especially my acupuncturist, who can cure the common cold in half an hour) and Chinese restaurants.

JON:  If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to portray you? And what would the movie be called?

JULIE:  I've always wanted to be asked that question! Nicole Kidman is the young me, Faye Dunaway the grown-up version. Think she'd look good with red hair?

The title, though, that really makes you think. I was going to say something flip, like "A Diesel Bus Named Desire" or "A Streetcar Named Murder" but then I started thinking, by the way, what's my life all about? (Yikes--it seemed like such an innocuous question.) I stayed awake for a few nights tossing and turning and finally I thought , it isn't about mysteries or crime or that elusive thing called "literature" or  even writing--it's about stories. That's what I enjoy -- telling stories. (and reading them.) So I thought of "The Story Hour" and things like that, but here's what we're going with: "Frenchmen Desire Good Stories." What the hell does that mean? You might ask. Nothing in particular, actually--it's a paraphrase of a book about New Orleans streets called "Frenchmen Desire Goodchildren." As it happens I live on Frenchmen Street and I think it's kind of catchy for a movie title. Don't you agree? No? More sleepless nights coming  up?

JON:  You mentioned it earlier, tell me about your website.

JULIE:  Ohhh, I just love my Website! I really do. It's got all the usual author stuff, but it's also the semi-culmination of a long-term fantasy of mine--to have a fabulous hacienda on a bluff in Mexico where fledgling writers can be nurtured. They'll get grants, come to write at the hacienda (which will be known as Casa Mysterioso), and be treated to a never-ending literary salon, featuring all the great writers, editors, and wits of our time. Come right now to my website www.casamysterioso.com and
behold that very hacienda! The house itself is only virtual at the moment, but the first two tiny grants are already in place. The Evans Harrington Grant for a Novel-in-Progress (named for my creative writing professor) has already been awarded once and judges are reading for the second, even as we speak.

It's administered through a well-respected literary foundation. The Talba Wallis Poetry Award (named for you-know-who) is soon to be awarded for 2001, but the truth is, I don;t think there'll be another in 2002.  Many, many poets were eager to post on the site (for which I thank them) but they couldn't be bothered voting for the winner. We finally had to get a panel of judges. Too much bother--maybe we'll also send that one through the foundation.

But I digress--the site has places to post your poems, reviews, New Orleans experiences, to apply for the grant, to check out author interviews (and I don't mean of me!)--we buy interviews of OTHER authors--and to make a virtual visit to New Orleans (see the aforementioned "La. Hot Stuff"). I really don't think you'll find another site like it.

JON:  What can you say about the new book, LOUISIANA BIGSHOT?

JULIE:  This is the second in the Talba Wallis series, due out in August. In this one, Talba has to figure out a way to find answers in a small Louisiana town in which all the white people seem to be united in a conspiracy of silence involving a long-ago crime against a high school student. Then it turns out all the black people are too! Tough gig for our girl.

JON:  What’s the one thing that is always in your refrigerator?

JULIE:  Diet Coke.