Take it From the Grave: Maryanne Melloan Woods on Lazarus

Welcome back, Owl Hollow readers! It’s hard to believe how fast this month is flying by, but we are super excited to share another blog post highlighting our featured author, Maryanne

Melloan Woods! 

We managed to steal some time from Maryanne’s busy schedule to pick her brain for some insights into the world of her amazing book, Lazarus; and we cannot wait to share! From the book’s inspiration all the way to it’s publication, Maryanne let us peek behind the curtain into what really goes into creating an incredible story!

Author Q & A

What was the first spark of inspiration for LAZARUS?

MMW: The first spark of inspiration for Lazarus came to me in a dream.  I saw a teen girl looking for clues to a murder case in a bleak prairie landscape. I knew that she was a thrift store fashionista, and that – at 16 – she was already a better detective than her police chief father or any of the other adults in her life.  I also knew that she had a deep bond with her boyfriend, but that a major, devastating obstacle had come between them.

What was something you always had nearby when you were writing this story?

MMW:  When I was writing Lazarus, I had this notecard taped up next to my pc to remind me to imbue every chapter with these elements (see attached.) I was coming from the world of TV writing, so it was important to remind myself of all the mystery novelist’s craft tools.

What scene was the hardest—or most fun—to write?

MMW: The scene that was most fun to write was one in which Margo goes to interview creepy radio preacher Gib Hawkins in his rural farmhouse. She finds the old man in his kitchen cleaning his shotgun, surrounded by empty beer cans, listening to the 80’s song Hit Me With Your Best Shot at top volume.  Margo is trying to solve the murder of a local woman, and can’t help but notice that Gib has a picture of the woman pinned to a dress form on the far side of the room. 

Which character from LAZARUS would you most (or least!) get along with in real life?

MMW: I would get along best with Hank in Lazarus because he’s funny. I’d be afraid to spend time with Gib Hawkins because he’s sooo creepy.

Are there any ‘secrets’ hidden in your book?

MMW: There are SO many secrets in Lazarus, because it’s a mystery! For instance, who is the bartender in Hank’s limbo world? Is Dr. James hiding secrets about his past? What is Mrs. McNamara growing in her garden and why? What did beautiful science teacher Carolyn Claypool use to do for a living? How does the Steinbeck novel Of Mice and Men tie into the murder mystery? What happened to Margo’s mother JoAnn?

Bonus secret! There are a couple of allusions to Stephen King’s book The Shining in Lazarus. Can you spot them?

What kind of reader do you think will connect most with this story?

MMW: The kind of reader that I think will most connect with Lazarus is one who enjoys a novel with the twists and turns of a paranormal thriller plus a deeply-felt romantic subplot.

What’s one message or theme you hope readers take away from LAZARUS?

MMW: A message that I hope readers take away is that you can find strength and courage even in the darkest times. Also that true love transcends death.

Thanks so much for chatting with us Maryanne! We loved learning more about you and your amazing work!

Readers--If you’re excited to jump into Maryanne’s incredible thriller, don’t wait! Get your copy of LAZARUS HERE!