A Conversation with Crime Writer John Foxjohn

with John Foxjohn

We are delighted to welcome crime writer John Foxjohn to Omnimystery News today.

John's latest book is the true crime tale of a Killer Nurse (Berkley; August 2013 paperback and ebook formats).

We recently had the chance to talk to the author about his books.

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Omnimystery News: Your latest book is true crime, but you've also written a number of mystery and suspense novels.

Photo provided courtesy of
John Foxjohn

John Foxjohn: When I first began writing mysteries and suspense, I went with a series — The David Mason series — and I actually started that way by happenstance. The first book I published, Code of Deceit, and few people know this, began with a prologue. People kept telling me that I needed to cut the prologue because it didn't do anything for the book. I was stubborn for a while. The reason: I really loved that prologue. Finally I cut it and then sold the book. But like I said, I liked that prologue, and it became the opening for my second book, Cold Tears.

I have written a series character and stand-alone. In many ways I believe writing series characters are easier than stand-alones. The last five or six books I've written have been stand-alones for a couple of reasons: first, I found that I really enjoy creating different characters. I've read authors — some I really like, who write stand-alones, but they don't really create different characters. They take the same character, give them a different name, put them in a different setting, with different problems, but the character has virtually the same thoughts, desires, needs, everything, that the last one had. I didn't want to do this.

Second, I call some of my novels mysteries and some romantic suspenses. I've never really cared what the book has been classified as, and as I found out, most readers don't either. The only people who do are these national writing organizations. But, it is very difficult to write romance with a series. Romance is based on finding a love of the character's life, going through some traumatic ordeal, and coming out in the end happily ever after. That's hard to pull off with a series.

OMN: It sounds like you prefer to write cross-genre novels.

JF: Without a doubt I write cross-over, but my mysteries are hard-boiled. I don't write cozies or paranormals — at least I never have, and yes, without a doubt, cross-overs are easier to market.

I try never to let a reader ask me what I write. I want to always ask them first what they read. If someone asks me what I write and I tell them romance for instance, and then they say they don't read that. I'm dead in the water with that reader. I can't then say well it has this in it, too.

But if I ask them what they read and they say romance, I can say my book has a lot of romance in it, or vice-versa, and it's true.

OMN: Give us the synopsis of your latest book, Killer Nurse, in a tweet.

JF: Killer Nurse is the most unique crime in history.

OMN: How much of your own personal or professional experience can be found in your books?

JF: All of my experience is in my books. If you look back at most of the really successful writers, you'll find that they are older. Some of that has to do with the fact that it usually takes time to get established. However, a lot of it has to do with life experiences — the more there is, the more they can incorporate into their writing.

OMN: Tell us about your writing process.

JF: Unlike many writers, I get an idea for a character. I fully develop that character as much as possible, and then I go looking for a plot to fit him or her in. I believe that writing fiction is about characterization. Sure the plot is important, but not the most important. I think the plot is best used to fully develop a character.

After that, I fully plot it out. That doesn't mean the plot won't change — it often does, but it changes based on the character. After all, it is his or her story — not mine.

OMN: How do you go about researching the plot points of your books? Any particularly challenging topics? And how does this compare with researching your true crime book, Killer Nurse?

JF: Quite a lot of my books and the information comes from my own personal experience, but not always. Where possible, I consult with experts on different areas. Of course, sometimes that also involved the internet.

I've had two really tough ones and consequently, the result just happens to be two of my favorite books. The first one was my novel, Unbalanced. Although I have an extensive law enforcement background, it involved the cop sider — not the courtroom. Unbalanced involved the courtroom, but also the physiological aspects — mental and legal, of someone who might have been criminally insane.

The second one was Killer Nurse, my first true crime. Seldom do fiction writers attempt a true crime, and there's a really good reason. These buggers are a lot tougher. Not only did I have to learn how to write a true crime, I had to learn all the legal ramifications and legal ways of obtaining information. If that wasn't enough, the Killer Nurse case involved dialysis and medicine. I began the process with not one smidgen of knowledge about it.

I spent three years learning all the ins and outs of all the different aspects.

OMN: When it comes to deciding on where to place the action of your books, how true are you to the setting?

JF: I always set my books in a real place. For the life of me, I can't understand why a writer would want to invent a place and lose on the marketing value of that area.

I honestly try to be as accurate as possible when it comes to the setting of a book. However, I also go by the theory of not letting the facts get in the way of a good story. Of course, since Killer Nurse is a true story — all the settings and people are true.

OMN: What is the best advice — and harshest criticism — you've received as an author?

JF: Just write the book and see what it turns out to be. I think too often writers forget this, and the reason agents and editors won't touch books from non-established writers. It can be fixed if it's written, but if it stays in the writers' head, it can't be fixed.

I was told by someone in my family that I would never be a writer.

OMN: What kinds of questions or feedback do you most enjoy receiving from readers?

JF: I like challenging ones — the ones that make me think.

OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young

JF: I grew up with the classics and love them. Still read them today. My all time favorite book growing up was Huckleberry Finn. Of course Tom Sawyer followed closely as did Little Women. If it's a classic, I read it — the exception to that is Moby Dick. Never could get through that book.

I went from there to Louis LaMour and others. I am a very eclectic reader. That might be on the reasons Killer Nurse was the sixth different genre I'm published in. Like I said earlier — I more interested in writing a good book — not what someone might call it.

Films and TV are like books to me. A lot depends on the mood I'm in. I go from a good blood and guts to comedy. But a good romantic comedy will always do. Maybe that's one reason Six Days Seven Nights is one of my all time favorites.

OMN: What are some of your outside interests? Have any of these made their way into your books?

JF: I love to work in my flowerbeds, woodwork, watch the Dallas Cowboys, and without a doubt, square dance. So far only the gardening has gotten into a book, but trust me when I say, square dancing won't be long in coming.

OMN: What's next for you?

JF: I have a book coming out Feb. 14, 2014 titled Law of Silence — which is a romantic suspense, but also a mystery/suspense. It's a really good book that I think people are going to really enjoy. After that, I have a mystery suspense titled WHO!

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John Foxjohn grew up in the Pineywoods of East Texas. With little to do but hunt and fish, Foxjohn's environment created an atmosphere that fostered imagination and dreams. After six years in the Army, Foxjohn spent ten years in law enforcement, including a long tour as a homicide detective. After retiring, Foxjohn became a writer, and the first book he wrote was a historical fiction titled The People's Warrior, a book about Crazy Horse.

For more information about the author and his work, please visit his website at JohnFoxjohnHome.com or find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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Killer Nurse
John Foxjohn


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