Monday, June 19, 2017

Mary Higgins Clark: Solving a Mystery by Jacqueline Seewald


Solving the mystery behind the longevity of Mary Higgins Clark as a bestselling mystery writer fascinates me. Whether you are a mystery reader or not, I’m certain you’re familiar with her name. Ms. Clark has written 52 published books, quite an accomplishment in itself.

I have met Mary Higgins Clark on three separate occasions. Each time she warmly welcomed her readers, took time to talk to each of us individually, and was genuinely friendly. A great way to build a readership for any author!

I recently read an interesting interview with the author in our Bergen County newspaper—Clark lives in Saddle River, New Jersey. She was asked what inspired her creativity. She answered that at one time she went to trials but is now too well-known to sit in a courtroom. She does, however, follow true crime stories and accounts of current trials; although she doesn’t copy them directly in her writing. At the age of ninety, she is still inquisitive.

When asked how many hours a day she spends writing, Clark responded that she aims for five hours each day. This is telling. If we learn anything from her response it’s that writers need to spend time on their craft, writing and rewriting. Clark says she edits and re-edits her own work constantly.

During the interview, Clark observed that she reads the emails she receives and appreciates that people are nice enough to write and be complimentary. She dictates  responses to her assistant believing that she owes her readers a thank you.

The interviewer asked a very important question: Is there one piece of advice you would give an aspiring writer? Clark’s answer was meaningful: Write. She goes on to explain that would-be writers shouldn’t make excuses not to write. If you really want to write then you have to find the time to do it. She suggests to older people that they write a memoir. Her own is what interests her grandchildren the most.

I admire and respect Mary Higgins Clark because she has created a successful style of mystery writing which strongly appeals to readers. She did not come from a privileged background. Her accomplishments are uniquely her own.

I know several writers who have been influenced by her style and technique. Thinking about it, I would say that my last romantic suspense mystery, THE INHERITANCE, shows her influence.

Your thoughts and comments most welcome.



20 comments:

  1. What a great tribute, Jacquie! Mary Higgins Clark is my favorite author. I met her years ago and she's just as sweet as you said. She took time with me and her parting words were, "Write that novel!"

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    1. Hi Patricia,

      We share the same opinion of Ms. Clark. I'm not surprised that she encouraged you to write. I enjoy reading your novels just as much as hers!

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  2. Wow, Jacquie, how great for you to meet her 3 times! Great tribute to her also.
    Good luck and God's blessings
    PamT

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    1. Hi Pam,

      I actually bought several of her novels at those times. I gifted them to an aunt who loved mysteries and was an invalid. As to Ms. Clark, the third time I met her, she was with her daughter Carol Higgins Clark at a signing at they were both gracious.

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  3. Mary Higgins Clark has been a strong influence on my mysteries, and I felt blessed when one reviewer compared my book, THE CROWS, to Ms Clark's mysteries. I also admire her tenacity. I hope I'm as productive at age 90 as she is.

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  4. Maris,

    I think it's amazing that at the age of 90 Ms. Clark is still actively writing, let alone writing bestsellers--an inspiration to all of us who write.

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  5. I remember picking up her first book because it looked "interesting" to me, many years ago. I've been a fan ever since. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Marja,

      Thanks for dropping by and commenting. The first book I read by Ms. Clark was Where Are the Children? followed by A Stranger Is Watching. They were such intense mystery thrillers that I was amazed. I was also hooked as a fan.

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  6. I read several MHC books when I began writing.She inspires. I can't help but tell you that the best excerpt from a review of one of my own published books was, "that Schoenecker's style reminds me of Mary Higgins Clark."
    Thanks for sharing, Jacquie.

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  7. Hi Mary,

    A real compliment having your writing compared to hers. Of course, I've always enjoyed reading your novels.

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  8. I had no idea Mary Higgins Clark was 90 years old. Her persistence is amazing. Makes some of us feel like pansies. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Hi Sharon,

      It's great to know that at 90 she still has a sharp mind and high energy.

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  9. Five hours a day is telling indeed. As the old saying goes, "Butt in chair." Thanks for sharing this.

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    1. Hi Judy,

      I confess I can't be creative for five hours at a time. So I'm impressed as well.

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  10. I certainly admire Clark's work ethic and her productivity is phenomenal. Nice blog post especially for us mystery writers. I also loved THE INHERITANCE!

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    1. Thanks, Susan, and so glad you loved my novel THE INHERITANCE. We all need an encouraging boost.

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  11. I first read Clark's work many years ago and was impressed with how smoothly the story moved, and how captivated I was. I've met her only once, at Malice Domestic, but as you said, she was gracious and genuine. I later heard her speak at a nearby college, and the audience loved her.

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    1. Hi Susan,

      I agree. Ms. Clark has genuine charm and her readers appreciate it as do fellow writers.

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  12. I read a lot of Mary Higgins Clark when I was younger but drifted away from the genre toward grittier thrillers as I got older. I really should revisit her work.

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    1. Hi Patricia,

      I think your preferences represent current trends toward dark fiction.

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