Sunday, Nov. 01, 2009

Five quick questions for author Patricia Cornwell

Award-winning, international best-selling author Patricia Cornwell has seen her meticulously researched crime novels translated into 36 languages across more than 50 countries. The former police beat reporter scuba dives, rides motorcycles and flies helicopters -- just like her characters do.

PopMatters caught up with this engaging, enthusiastic author in a rare moment when her feet were on the ground.

1. The latest book or movie that made you cry?

Off the top of my head, "Fried Green Tomatoes." I happened to catch it on TV the other night, and it always makes me cry. Although I saw "Atonement" recently and cried.

And oh, well, you'd be amazed by how many movies make me cry. Including extremely happy or hilariously funny ones ("Pretty Woman," "Blades of Glory") ... Maybe it's because I have to be so stoical most of the time.

2. The fictional character most like you?

There isn't one that seems obvious, not even in my own work, although there are pieces and parts of me in many of my characters. For example, Pete Marino is a slob and often makes snap judgments that he regrets. Hate to say it, but I can relate.

In contrast, Scarpetta is thoughtful, deliberate, impeccable, which is my fantasy. However, both of us have a visceral aversion to cruelty and abuse of power, and we can be much more volatile behind the scenes than the public might imagine. Lucy loves all things powerful, in part because she is so afraid of being powerless. I confess that I can understand how she feels.

But the obvious difference between the two of us (besides her youthfulness and sculpted beauty) is she's better at everything than I am. However, I don't pick up strangers in bars (at least not in recent memory, not that anybody would be interested), kill people, or in general think it's all right to break the law as long as there's a good reason.

3. The greatest album, ever?

"Rumours." Fleetwood Mac is astonishingly talented. Mick Fleetwood playing the drums -- what a rush.

4. "Star Trek" or "Star Wars"?

"Star Trek." I hero-worshipped Captain Kirk and would have left my childhood hometown of Montreat, N.C., without regrets or looking back, had he offered to beam me up.

I wouldn't have even asked for a background check of his crew or worried about going to college.

For one thing, it was the uniforms. I probably shouldn't let this out, but I love uniforms and think it's unfair that writers not only don't get to wear them but are expected to dress poorly. I also wanted a fazer. And still do. And I can relate to being harassed and fired at rather chronically by Klingons.

5. Your ideal brain food?

Research is what feeds my brain and gives me my best ideas.

In fact, it's as if the story is waiting for me if only I will go looking for it, whether the journey takes me to a morgue or a rare-documents archive or ... as you'll see in "The Scarpetta Factor," a bowling alley.