Interview with Sheila Sharpe

Today is a chance to meet author Sheila Sharpe and next week, a giveaway and a review of the first book in her Kate O'Dade Art Crime series: Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief. If you just can't wait until next week's review here's a special treat for you - an excerpt from Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief to tide you over. Check it out HERE.

Jodi: Your website feels like the story of two women. One is the experienced therapist who writes non-fiction for those interested in overcoming trauma. The other is penning mysteries. What led you to write Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief?

Sheila: In writing this novel, I wanted to bring together my near life-long love of art and

psychology that have led to my careers as an artist and a psychotherapist. In the story, Kate, a therapist and former artist, helps Nick, a notorious art forger, to fulfill his dream of becoming a genuine artist. A secondary aim was to investigate the psychology behind art crime, especially art forgery, in the context of a murder mystery.

Jodi: Did you learn anything surprising in your research?

Sheila: Yes, I discovered there were other motives for art crime in addition to the well-known money motive. Behind certain art thefts, I found an overwhelming passion for the art that drove the crimes. With forgery, I found that certain artists’ inability to develop a strong individual identity led them to imitate/forge admired, successful artists.

Jodi: Many mystery writers start with the ending and work from there. Did you

have your ending planned before you began writing?

Sheila: No, only in the sense that my main characters—Kate and Nick—would develop by solving personal conflicts and the murders of Nick’s family and Kate’s client. I do not extensively outline and prefer to collaborate with my characters as they develop, getting their help in what comes next. In this way, I can stay intrigued and be surprised at the end.

Jodi: I love the idea of collaborating with your characters. What is the most challenging thing about writing a mystery?

Sheila: It’s all a challenge—developing interesting characters, an origin plot with many twists and turns, keeping up the pace, creating believable surprises. Possibly the hardest aspect is keeping up the pace without sacrificing depth and nuance in portraying the characters.

Jodi: You’ve featured many beautiful works in your novel. How did you choose them? Are they favorites of yours?

Sheila: Yes, I chose several of my favorite artists and their paintings for my story mainly from the Impressionist and Post Impressionist periods in art history. They include the four M’s for the masters: Manet, Monet, Modigliani, and Matisse.

Jodi: Do you have a favorite artist or style?

Sheila: Yes, my longtime favorite artist is Henri Mattisse, and I’ve kept a fine reproduction of his The Open Window in front of my computer to inspire me and keep me joyous as I’m writing.

Jodi: I love that one of your favorite artists has become a key part of the novel. Can you share a sneak peek of what’s up next in the Kate O’Dade Art Crime series?

Sheila: The next to be published in the series is the prequel to Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief. It is focused on Kate and her investigation of the mystery of her opera star father’s murder. I’m now in the process of writing the third novel in the series, directly following the current novel

and involves the blood-soaked quest for the world’s most valuable stolen painting—The Concert by Vermeer.

Jodi: I cannot express who excited this news makes me! All through the book the little hints towards the characters' past made me want more.