Immersing Each Reader

“The greatest gift is our own eyes, sense of smell, and abilities to deduce.” – Patricia Cornwell

Born in Florida on this date in 1956, Cornwell has authored more than 30 books, including 24 in the Scarpetta series.  Often credited with being the first writer in the forensic crime genre, her writing was a major influence on the development of shows like CSI and its subsequent CSI spinoffs as well as shows like True Crime and Cold Case Files.

Cornwell started writing as a journalist at the Charlotte (NC) Observer where she was assigned the crime beat.  After adding more life experiences that would shape her fiction – working in the office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia and for the Richmond Police Department – she turned to creative writing in the mid-1980s.   After 3 novels that essentially went nowhere, her breakthrough came with Postmortem, the first to feature forensic investigator and medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta.  

                                       To date her books have sold well over 100 million copies and won her numerous writing awards, including the coveted Sherlock Award for development of the best detective character.   She writes in first person, because  “It makes the reader feel as if he or she is the one solving the crime.”  She said she enjoys the company of bright people from whom she draws inspiration.  “Being with someone who is smart and gives good advice adds tremendously wonderful elements to your life.”  

 

Writer’s Moment with a friend at http://writersmoment.blogspot.com