Underneath the Fireflies by Marianne Scott

​Book Title:  Underneath the Fireflies by Marianne Scott
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  224 pages
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Publisher: Crowe Creations
Release date:  October 2022
Content Rating:  PG-13 – mild profanity as in street dialogue

He’s a Cold War spy hiding from one of his own. His real identity is tied to a treacherous past associated with American intelligence operations closed down after the end of the Cold War, and his enemy is relentless. All he has to do is change his name. Right? Wrong. Very wrong. Felix has eyes and ears everywhere.

INTERVIEW

How would you describe yourself as a writer?

There are times when I worry that my writing isn’t good enough to compete with the many wonderful writers in the arena with me. So, I do several edits and work with professional editors to make sure that I put out work that is as polished and professional as it can be. Although now that I have four novels published, and getting favorable reviews, my confidence is improving. I love storytelling and hope that my readers get enjoyment and entertainment from my novels.

Yet, I’ve met people who are unkind, dishonest and feel justified to disparage authors simply because they feel superior or more powerful than you. As an independent author, I have been particularly vulnerable to such individuals. The road to successful sales is fraught with rude and difficult individuals. Some have even defrauded me out of commission for my consignment books. However, sharing those experiences and being honest in my evaluation of such people has backfired on occasion. For that reason, I have been accused of being a negative person. I understand how a person who has met me for the first time might think that. I do not give false praise. And if a person behaves badly toward me, they cannot expect kind words in return. Allow me to quote Anne Lamott. “You own everything that happened to you. Write your stories. If they wanted you to write (or speak) warmly of them, they should have behaved better.” There is a thin line between negativity and honesty. And I choose to write the truth. 

What is the best part of writing mysteries and thrillers?

Real life is hard and mean. I admire those who can write non-fiction. It often exposes the truth about awful people, places, and situations. Non-fiction writers might justify their story by saying it’s therapeutic, that they’ll come out on the other side a stronger and better person. I too have lived through difficult and traumatic times. For me, it’s a matter of maintaining my inner peace, because in order to get the particulars of personal and painful experiences on the page, the writer has to relive the trauma they’ve gone through. On the other hand, writing fiction, especially mystery or thriller fiction, allows the writer to tell a distressing story as a bystander, safe from the particulars that in real life would cause them pain. Handing that responsibility onto fictitious characters shields the writer from backsliding back into the stress and depression of that time in my life. It’s the reason I write fiction.

In your novels, a lot of bad things happen to your characters. Where does that looming sense of danger come from?

I have a rule when writing thrillers. Always put your characters in danger because in a sense we are all only a step away from disaster if we’re in the wrong place at a point in time. I also try to keep my readers engaged by latching onto to emotional triggers that creep into our subconscious, both good and bad.  Tickling those thoughts arouses attachment to a story character or plot. Our inner voice might say, “Oh yeh! I know that feeling.”  Let’s face it; it’s a dangerous world. The daily news reports keep us well informed of shootings and assaults as we innocently go about our daily business. So too, we live in a world that is inordinately threatening, one where foreign action could impact our safety and security if such actions got out of control. Most of us don’t dwell on worse-case scenarios, but the probability of a random and adverse consequence always hangs in the air. Danger is everywhere just waiting to happen.

Would you consider switching to a non-fiction genre?

I often say that there are so many stories to tell. Non-fiction can sell exceptionally well, especially if you’re a celebrity or notable or perhaps unfortunate person in a news story. I am none of those things. I am not convinced that my memoir would interest anyone. Is my insecurity showing? Not at all. Besides, I enjoy making up stories. Fiction writing involves considerable knowledge and craft. And to be honest, there’s always an element of truth and real life woven into the pages. 

What is your next writing project?

My first four novels are set in far away and somewhat exotic locations like Southern France, Iceland, New York City, and a fictional Canadian West Coast Island. Yet, I’ve always wanted to write a story closely connected to my hometown. I live in a picturesque and historic little village of Hespeler, Ontario. (For my American fans, that’s in Canada. But you probably know that.) Taking a sleepy village (that’s now amalgamated into the larger city of Cambridge, Ontario,) is a challenge. Nothing exciting ever happens here. So, I’m stretching the story possibility by introducing the premise of an extra-terrestrial visitation, discovered by long-time locals, who just happen to be immortal. My working title is Unseemly Visitors. I know it’s a stretch of the imagination, but who knows; maybe sci-fi thrillers are the next best sellers.  Sounds like a good Netflix series to me.