Kim Harrington author of the Clarity series lets us in on how the series began and what else her fans can expect from her coming up.
What was the inspiration behind your series Clarity? You stated on your site that you gain your inspiration when you’re driving, in the shower or in bed, just as you’re falling asleep, which made me curious as to how you were inspired to write a very unusual series.
Interestingly enough (and this is the only time this has happened to me) the entire book grew from one line that popped into my head out of nowhere. I thought about the line, wondering who would say it and why. And from that grew my main character and her unique family. I knew I had to write them. And now that one line is the last sentence in chapter two of Clarity!
Have you always been a supernatural/paranormal fan? What was your favorite genre growing up?
Yes, I have always loved supernatural and paranormal fiction. Growing up, my favorite books were horror. The scarier the better. I remember when the Scholastic Book Club flyer would come at school, I would circle every book with a dark or scary looking cover and beg my parents for it!
Clare’s power – to see the past of objects – can be a very painful and frightening experience, and more than in an investigating a murder way – everyone has secrets they need to keep after all. I think that is one of the most intriguing things about her power – can you tell us a little about what we can expect from her and this unique power moving forward in the series on a more personal level? What do you want readers to learn from her experience with her power?
I think that’s one of the reasons people at school are wary of Clare. Imagine being friends with someone who could touch an object in you room and find out your deepest, darkest secret. Scary!
Perception, to me, is all about consequences. Clare feels differently about her power as a result of the events of Clarity, and in Perception she comes to terms with this gift she has. Also in Perception, people are showing a different interest in her and she needs to navigate her life carefully to determine who is sincere and who is just using her. I think that’s something every reader can relate to and learn from.
Congratulations on the series being option by Warner Brothers TV! Can you update us on where things are with that?
Thanks! I don’t have any updates to share right now, but it was very exciting to have the book optioned. I think it would make a great television series!
Who would you like to see cast as your main characters?
I’ve had some fun fantasy casting in my head, but I change my mind every day. I’m sure whoever they chose would be wonderful!
What sort of input will you have in it as it takes shape for TV? Is it difficult to let your characters go to take shape in another medium?
I don’t think I would have much input at all and I actually prefer it that way! There would have to be a lot of changes to translate the book into a television series. I’d rather be surprised and watch along as a fan.
Your Sleuth or Dare series with Norah and Darcy reminds me so much of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series – did you have a favorite series like that growing up?
I loved reading suspenseful books as a child, but my favorite series was probably the Choose Your Own Adventure books. Mainly because I liked to determine the ending. What’s different about writing a mystery series for children in this day and age, though, is that the characters have access to technology. It’s both challenging and fun to work cell phones and the Internet into the mysteries.
What can readers look forward to for Norah and Darcy coming up?
In Partners in Crime, for a class project, Norah and Darcy create a website for a detective agency. But then that fake agency get an email for a real case. In Sleepover Stakeout, Norah and Darcy help their friend solve a spooky mystery. When babysitting her brother she hears voices on the baby monitor calling for help—and no one is in the room. And in Framed & Dangerous one of Norah and Darcy’s closest friends needs their help when he’s framed for a serious crime.
Norah and Darcy are smart and sassy and a lot of fun to write!
You’ve written a supernatural YA novel and a mystery series – these are very different genres what were the easiest and hardest parts of changing gears to write one or the other?
All of my books have some kind of mystery at their center. So, whether my characters have paranormal powers or not, the suspense of solving that mystery still drives them. So it’s actually quite similar for me to write. The most challenging part of writing a paranormal mystery, though, is that you want to build rules around the “gifts” so the main character can’t solve the mystery too easily. You don’t want the paranormal ability to seem like a cheat. Regular old sleuthing should be an equally important part.
What can fans look forward to from you coming up? Another genre novel, I hope? (No bias here!)
In early 2013 I have a standalone YA coming out. It is definitely another genre novel—that’s how I roll! This one is both a murder mystery and a ghost story. I’m really excited about it. More details soon!
Thank you Kim for a great interview!
If you have any other burning questions for Kim, go ahead and post here, or contact her via
Website – www.kimharringtonbooks.com
Facebook – www.facebook.com/kimharringtonauthor
Twitter – www.twitter.com/kim_harrington
Blog – http://kimharrington.blogspot.com/
