Q1. Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?
We are Ann Charles and Sam Lucky, and we co-author the Deadwood Undertaker series. We have been working on projects together for over twenty-five years—from rebuilding houses to raising children to herding cats. It was only a matter of time before we started telling stories together.
Q2. What would you say is your strength as an author?
It’s mostly about the storytelling. If we can improve that a little with every novel, that’s a good thing. To ice the cake, we’ve spent a lot of effort on polishing things that pull a reader away from the story, mainly, formatting and editing. Those things should be transparent, make the experience seamless, not get in the way.
Q3. What is your favorite part from your book ‘The Backside of Hades’?
The characters spend the entire time in a creepy settlement called Slagton. This book is pretty close to non-stop action the entire way through. Monsters die. Characters may or may not die. Knock down drag outs a plenty. It’s very actiony with not too many breathers to slow down the story. That’s fun. We learn more about the characters too, so that’s good.
Q4. How do you handle literary criticism?
Ha! It might sound flippant, but the quick answer would be, we don’t. At first, we thought it might make sense to read criticisms and reviews to gauge the reactions to the books, to see if the stories were hitting the way we wanted. Then, we pretty quickly realized that there are a lot of fun, good people who were enjoying what we do. Great! But, there are also those out there who seem to enjoy cutting authors down, and those reactions can sting a little. With a little experience, the skin gets tougher. In the end, we’ve decided to keep doing what we’re doing—bringing some fun and lightness, even if it’s just a little, to the readers who like our books. The rest? They can move on.
Q5. What do you like about audiobooks?
Oh boy! So many things. The voice talent makes a big difference, and Jason Culp is a humdinger. He’s nailed the characters in the Deadwood Undertaker Series in a way we doubt anyone else could. The connection is there now, when we read previous Undertaker books as a refresher or for particular phraseology or cadence. We hear his characterizations. We also hear them when we’re writing new scenes.
Narration really is a cool thing. It adds wonderful dimensions to every story and enables listeners to turn dead time into reading time. Driving, exercising, yardwork, and all those other times that require your eyes, become listening time. Is there anything better?
Q6. How has the experience of writing and publishing a book influenced your perception of yourself?
ANN here—I have a quote on my wall that an author friend once said, which pertains to this question: There’s nothing like authorhood to keep a person humble.
There are no truer words for me. There is no end point on this journey to create great stories (well, except for death). Every book is hard to write in a new way, especially if you like to change up themes and premises, like I do, in order to keep the readers satisfied and coming back for more. At the start of every story, I question my ability to deliver a well-crafted tale. At the end of every book, I am amazed with what ended up being on the page.
And then I have to send it out for readers, reviewers, and critics to judge. This process ends with ever-thickening skin.
Q7. What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
Know the craft. It takes experience to bring all the components together in a way that’s entertaining. Sam’s mother, an English teacher, always said you’ve got to learn all the rules in order to know how to break them. That one sticks with him. Ann took English classes all over the place in college. Now, she’s breaking the rules like crazy.
Also, try to tell a story that resonates. A story that a reader will think about for hours or days after finishing the last page. Good stories will stick with a reader forever.
Q8. What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
If you’re familiar with Downton Abbey, we chuckle every time one of us pops the phrase “What is a week end?” into a conversation (this line was delivered by the Dowager Countess played by Maggie Smith). We didn’t really get into that series, but the line makes us laugh.
Really, our schedule entails writing into the evenings and weekends. Unlike an 8 to 5 job, we are able to schedule things with a lot of flexibility. Dentist appointment at 10AM or a visit to the car at the mechanic? No problem. Dropping off and picking up the kids to/from school? Covered. (Thanks be our kids are now in college, so no more daily drop offs/pickups!). But writing for a living also means discipline is needed. Otherwise, it’s pretty easy to get behind. Start late? Write late. There is no quitting time and sliding down the dinosaur’s back like Fred Flinstone.
Q9. What is the significance of the title ‘The Backside of Hades?
SAM here—I’m not sure I’ve thought of it in terms of it being significant in some revelatory or life changing way for me or anyone else. At its base, it’s just a part of a continuing story of some people I know well who’ve had some interesting adventures. It does occur to me, some of the responses my wife (Ann Charles) has received from her readers has had an influence on the way I think about what we do. To hear that her work has helped quite a few people through some difficult times, with laughter and connections with the characters in some way or another … well, come on. To brighten someone’s day, even by just a little? That seems significant to me. If I can do that, too? That’s a success.
Q10. What did you want to be when you grew up?
This has been a deceptively simple question for us since we were pipsqueaks. It was always asked, usually in an offhanded way, by someone (an aunt or a mother’s hairdresser) who isn’t really that interested in the answer. But, boy, did it put us on the spot.
SAM: I remember I used to steal other kids answers for that one. In grammar school, I think ‘astronaut’ filled that slot a lot.
There are too many possibilities. How is someone expected to pick just one? I’ll get back to you.
ANN: I can tell you what I didn’t want to be—an author. Sure, I loved books, but writing them? Eek, that was a lot of work. I loved to read, though, often daydreaming about books I read and how I might change them a little to fit my liking more. That led to me trying my hand at a book in my mid-20s. From there, the desire to keep telling stories grew.
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