An Inside Look: The Writing Life of Carolyn Bowen

Carolyn Bowen explores cultures and dialogues to help herself bring her own works to life. As a mystery thriller author, she tends to focus on the emotions that her characters express.”

LONDON - 27 March 2023

CAROLYN BOWEN is an award-winning mystery thriller author who calls on her life escapades and an adventurous, imaginative spirit to inspire and entertain. Bowen uses travel as a muse to explore cultures and dialogue to bring her stories to life. Her writing credits include Cross-Ties, The Long Road Home, The Sydney Jones Series, and The Legacy Series.

What’s your favorite book no one else has heard of?

A fan gifted me White Orchid by Henrietta Mason. I’d never heard of Mason, but after reading the novel I felt honored to read her story. Since then, I have usually re-read it once a year. The mystery is exceptional, and the scenic descriptions are so real they feel touchable.

You’re organizing a party. Which two authors, dead or alive, do you invite?

The two authors I’d invite for an interesting conversation would be Sidney Sheldon and Agatha Christie. They are both masters of the craft of writing and have unique backstories.

Which writers — working today do you admire most?

My all-time favorites of writers working today are John Grisham and David Baldacci. John Grisham is a literary legend and doesn’t miss a beat delivering exacting legal-speak with a surreal plot that’ll keep you flipping the pages to the end.

Baldacci is a master storyteller who brings his characters to life. The Good, bad, and ugly come together in a twisty plot filled with murderous intent and surprising conclusions. I can’t wait to read his latest release.

What do you read when you’re working on a book? And what kind of reading do you avoid while writing?

When I’m writing I read books about the craft of writing and marketing books. I avoid reading novels in the genre I’m writing in to keep my thoughts focused on my story.

What moves you most in a work of literature?

My favorite works of literature have believable characters willing to express a broad range of emotions given the situation. I especially enjoy natural and scenic settings as a backdrop for the story to unfold. 

What genres do you especially enjoy reading? 

The genre I read most often is mystery-thrillers with an underlying romantic theme.

Who is your favorite fictional hero or heroine? 

James Bond.

What books and authors have impacted your writing career?

From an early age, Around the World in Eighty Days by the French writer Jules Verne captured my attention and fueled my love for travel and adventure. Later, the books by author Sidney Sheldon inspired me to write my own stories. A nod to him was incorporated in naming my Sydney Jones Series.

What kind of reader were you as a child? 

As a child, I was a prolific reader and when bored would read The World Book Encyclopedia to learn new words and their meaning. The fondness for learning is a lifelong habit that makes life interesting.

Have you ever changed your opinion of a book based on information about the author, or anything else?

No, I’ve never changed my mind about an author or book I’ve read. Everyone has a right to their opinions and I respect their choices.

If you could meet any writer, dead or alive, who would it be? And what would you want to know?

My love of writing life was inspired by Ernest Hemingway and his real-life adventures. I’d love to talk to him about his living at his hilltop villa, Finca Vigia east of Havana for nearly two decades and his experiences off the coast aboard his 38-foot fishing boat, Pilar.

My fascination with his adventures in Cuba made their way into Chance: A Novel, book 2 in my Sydney Jones Series. 

What do you plan to read next?

I’m working on the next novel in my Legacy Series and that means I’m steering clear of reading in my favorite genre. The latest book on my reading list is The Copywriter’s Handbook by Robert W. Bly, and that’ll keep me busy during breaks from writing.

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