Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Hank surprises us (again)! THE HOUSE GUEST

HALLIE EPHRON: I confess, when I saw the name of HANK'S new book, THE HOUSE GUEST, it gave me the shivers. I immediately thought, what if someone you trust enough to invite them to stay in your home turns out to be not who they claim to be? It’s so scary. I’m wondering if that’s where you started. 

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Oh gosh, that’s a great idea for an inspiration! But… Not exactly. 

The idea came from the experience of an acquaintance of mine who said goodbye to her husband every morning as she went off to her office and he went off to his office, he was something like an accountant or an insurance salesman. Something like that.

His next big deal was always around the corner, and the next big sale was always about to happen, and she was incredibly supportive. I’m talking about – – a really smart savvy woman who thought she was happily married.

And then the police arrived at the door.

And turned out--wait for it--he had never been to work at all! The job was imaginary. And he had been home doing illegal things on his computer that I don’t even want to describe.

Now, that’s not what happens in THE HOUSE GUEST at all. Not at all. But it made me wonder: how well do we know the people who are sleeping next to us? The very ones we trust the most? Could they be doing something we have no idea about? And I found out a lot of fascinating info about that too — like the family of the BTK killer, and the wife of a hideous serial killer in Indiana. They had no idea what their spouses were doing!

But there are no serial killers in this book either. Either. It’s just about how even a smart person can be completely fooled.

HALLIE: Your book has been called a "thrilling cat-and-mouse game". Did you know all along who was the cat?

HANK: Did I know all along? Who was the cat? Absolutely not. No. I didn’t know anything all along!

A story just unfolds every day at the computer, so when the surprises happen – –I’m just as surprised as the reader. Sue Grafton used to call that the magic, and that is exactly how I think of it ,too. I rely on it, and embrace it, and worry every day that it will vanish. But no, I don’t know anything! Can you believe who the cat turns out to be? Or are there several?

HALLIE: Alyssa is super privileged, gorgeous, and wealthy, and she’s been dumped by her wealthy husband. In the opening scene she’s having a pity party alone in a suburban bar. By the end of the scene you have us rooting for her. It’s what’s so compelling about the book, and I wonder how you get inside your characters to bring them to the page.

HANK: Alyssa was intriguing to me, and that’s a great question. My first thought was: how many of us have been utterly, and totally heartbroken?

There’s a moment at the beginning of that, especially if you are surprised and baffled and have had the rug yanked out from under you, when you are incredibly vulnerable. You go through the stages of well, not grief, but shock. Disbelief. Your life has totally changed, and it was a surprise, and out of the clear blue surprise.

So I tried to channel Alyssa, how she might feel at that moment, being shocked and baffled about being dumped by her husband. And suddenly – – there she is, with Bill threatening to take the money and the house, and who has all already taken all of her friends.

She’s fearful and alone with a terribly uncertain future. (This is all on page 1.)

But then, at the end of Chapter 1, and this is not a spoiler, she meet someone who is in worse shape than she is. Alyssa recognizes that even though she’s unhappy, she’s privileged, and her life will be fine.

So she decides to stop the pity party, take the focus off of herself, and focus on helping someone else.

We like her for that, right? As I’m writing a character, I try to channel how they feel. And if I’m lucky, that comes out on the page. I really become Alyssa. And see through her eyes and feel through her heart.

HALLIE: Then you create Bree, who has so much in common with Alyssa and yet is her polar opposite. Did you set that up deliberately?

HANK: Bree. No idea about Bree. Of course I had some ideas about who she was from the beginning, and--being careful here--that changed quite a bit as the book evolved. Because if you don’t know who’s good and who’s bad from the start, you have to go back and adjust, right? Once you have gotten to the end and have decided.

But absolutely, I set up deliberately that Alyssa is from hardscrabble origins, but now has wealth and comfort, but that Bree is still battling her way through ugly corporate pressures and harassment, and seems to have lost everything. They are both alone, they are both struggling, they both have demons and they both have necessities. Can they help each other?

So--is she her polar opposite? Maybe not.

That’s why some have called this Thelma And Louise… meets Gaslight.

HALLIE: The house in the book is as much a character as the women. Did you base the house on any particular house?

HANK: Oh, thank you! I know you are fond of houses :-) . I am, too. but no, it’s not based on any particular house.

That is such an interesting process, though isn’t it? I can absolutely see every room, every book, every piece of crystal and chandelier and marble and mahogany, the glorious kitchen, and the expensive chintz upholstery on the comfy chairs on the screened-in porch, and the rolled up Egyptian cotton bath towels, and the… compartment in the closet. All made up. 

But wow, I could see the entire thing in my head. Love that.

HALLIE: Your Publisher’s Weekly rave review calls you a “master of suspense.” Do you have an insider tips on writing suspense as well as you do?

HANK: Wasn’t that a terrific review? I almost fainted.

Insider tips on writing suspense. Hmm. I just burst out laughing! But honestly, a tip? This always always works, I have to say. And I wrote a whole article about it here.

But basically, suspense is a progression, a repeated progression, of: 1.What does someone want. 2. Why do they want it? 3. How would they think about getting it, and what do they decide to do. 4. Then they do it! 5. Then something happens to make that be unsuccessful and they have to start over.

Then 1. What do they want now? And you see how that repeats? It’s ever-changing, always different, and never a formula. I repeat that mantra to myself every day.

And thank you for the compliment!


HALLIE: You’re now up to (how many?!?) books with a ton of awards along the way. What do you know now about writing a suspense/thriller that you didn’t know early on?

HANK: Yes, THE HOUSE GUEST is my 14th book! Amazing. Who’d a thought. Especially when you and I met, that very first moment, before PRIME TIME even came out. Remember? And you took me aside, and told me Hey… This is a really good book. I have never forgotten that moment, and it still makes me cry.

What do I know now? Gosh.

I understand patience.

I allow myself to have terrible writing days, and I actually laugh and embrace them. There are no wasted drafts. There are no wasted attempts, even the pages I write that I think wow, this is absolutely 100% the worst thing anybody has ever written in the entire universe --I laugh and think, okay then! Really bad. Fix it later. But now, advance the story. Keep writing keep going do not falter. Just keep writing.

It seems silly, but because I am in search of the story, as I write, who knows what will happen. Then, after I’m finished with that first draft, which is 50% ridiculously terrible, and 50% full of potential, I cut all the parts that are clearly me trying to figure out what to do. You know? All those thoughts the character has that are really me having them. All those go.

What I have learned is killing your darlings is an oxymoron… I hate those. They are not my darlings if they clog up my pacing and suspense. I love to kill them. Their demise means the birth of my book. 

 And so excited to meet you all on book tour!

HALLIE: Hank has a jam packed book tour. Her Events are here


Today's question: Think about that description that a reviewer gave THE HOUSEGUEST:
THELMA AND LOUISE MEETS GASLIGHT
What does it suggest to you?? No fair if you've read the book... no spoilers, please!

53 comments:

  1. From that description, I'm picturing a car with an old fashioned lamp post in it driving off a cliff. What can I say, I tend to be very literal at times.

    Congrats on the new book, Hank! It sounds like another page turner.

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    1. It IS an amazing page turner. We've learned to expect nothing less!!

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    2. I just finished reading The House Guest and loved it. Truly! But I didn't think it was a thriller in the Alfred HItchcock sense. I never really felt anyone was in danger or anything really scary (which is actually good as far as I'm concerned). I like that the characters were engrossing and fun to "be with".

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  2. Happy Book Birthday, Hank!

    Thelma and Louise meets Gaslight . . . friends facing a struggle?

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  3. Happy Book Birthday, Hank!

    I do love the analogy of Thelma and Louise meets Gaslight.

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    1. For me, I wonder: frenemies??

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    2. Oops that was me: Hallie

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  4. So many congratulations, Hank! I love that you write into the headlights. It's so comforting to fellow pantsers (Iike me, for example).

    I loved the Thelma and Louise movie. Add Gaslight and it makes me not want to trust one of the two.

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    1. Exactly! Edith, that's just what it makes me wonder about. Or maybe they're both being fooled?

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  5. Hank, congrattulations on The House Guest coming out today. I'm sure it will be quite a thrill ride. I'm hoping to get to your March 2nd event at the Sandwich Public Library that is being hosted by Titcomb's Bookshop so I can pick up my signed copy!

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    1. And I'll be at Brookline Booksmith *tonight* along with friends to hear Hank speak - rolling out the red carpet for this terrific new book.

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    2. It's thanks largely to my neighbor's activist sister, Carol Steinberg, that BB finally has accessible event space!

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    3. I read about that, Edith! Fantastic!

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  6. Happy Book Birthday, Hank. Enjoy, enjoy!
    Thank you for sharing your process. You have told us before that you love to cut the excess and now I can see exactly what you are doing! That is extremely daring but very effective, as your readers are loving it every book!

    As for Thelma and Louise and Gaslight, I am still puzzling that one out. I'll let you know when I have read THE HOUSEGUEST.

    XXOO Enjoy, enjoy!!

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  7. HANK: Yay, it's finally the day when everyone can (and should) read THE HOUSE GUEST!!
    I devoured an ARC last October, gave it a (rare for me) 5-star review & included THE HOUSE GUEST on my fave reads of 2022 list.

    I watched your GBH interview & PP event and loved seeing your excitement.
    Good luck with the in-person book tour and safe travels!

    Congratulations, dear friend!

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  8. Happy release day, Hank, and mega congratulations on your latest release. It has been a lot of fun to see you work your way to this day. Now I hope you enjoy every minute of the launch!

    As for Thelma and Louise meets Gaslight: Friends, a twisty ride of an adventure, and some serious manipulation.

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  9. Two women, each with her own agenda, but whose version of the truth is correct?

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    1. And if it's a Hank book, the ground will keep shifting under them.

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  10. Happy book birthday Hank--my copy is on the way! I loved this interview with 2 masters of suspense--it's such an interesting process, carving out the bits that don't advance the story. We are all very proud of you on JRW!!

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  11. Congratulations! I love the tastes of The House Guest that you have given us over the last few months and am really looking forward to it. Thanks for more insights into your process too!

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  12. Okay, Hank, I'm making no guesses on this one! There's a tangle of suspense here and the only way I'm going to figure it out is to read the book. In the car, so I can wear my seatbelt as you take me for a ride! Congratulations doesn't seem sufficient in view of the rave reviews THE HOUSE GUEST is getting!

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  13. Happy happy pub day, Hank! I’m so excited about this book! Xoxo

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  14. Congratulations, Hank! Can't wait to get my hands on this one.

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  15. It makes me wonder who is gaslighting whom? It's a wonderful book, Hank! Happy pub day!

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  16. It is such a treat to read all of these! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am having a crazy wonderful day, and I’m reading every single one of these, thank you, thank you thank you, darling, reds and readers!

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  17. From Rhys: Happy book birthday, dear one. I know it will be a huge success!

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  18. I am ridiculously excited for this book!!! Watching you work is always such a treat, Hank. Thank you for taking us along on the ride.

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    1. Isn't it though! She's like a high-wire act... walking the tightrope while juggling...

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  19. I am now totally, totally intrigued! And it is partly by what you (Hank) said about the incident that started it. Because of a real life case that hit the news. Someone who said he was related to a famous, wealthy family...was not. And was married to a women who was a consultant at very prestige firm. They had a child. How ...how!...did he fool this highly intelligent, highly educated woman for several years? And I had a few brief work interactions with her.Not at all meaningful, but it made the story very much more real. So now I can't wait to see what Hank did with this idea. And hope to say it in person at Malice.

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    1. I followed that case so closely, Triss! Fascinating how many people he duped. And there was also an extension of his duping - and likely murdering - in my grandparents' southern Californian town of San Marino. Scary.

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  20. AND (hit Send too soon) - happy pub day Hank! /big congrats on the strong reception this book is having.

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  21. First, congratulations! And congratulations for all the buzz! Seeing that graphic including your book cover on Sunday's FRONT PAGE of the Washington Post website was a real kick! (Too many exclamation points! Too many caps! But, dang it all, if not now, then when? ;) ) Happy Book Birthday!
    <3

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  22. Happy Pub Day, Hank!!!! Congrats.!!!! I love 'The House Guest'-it is Fabulous!!!! Have a wonderful tour!!!!

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  23. Hallie. I absolutely love this interview! Congratulations on all the great reviews Hank. Well deserved!

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  24. I can’t wait to read the book. My imagination is currently running wild, trying to figure out who can be trusted, and who can’t! One thing I do know is that the book will be a success, Hank!

    DebRo

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  25. Happy Book Birthday, Hank!

    Thelma and Louise meets Gaslight sounds just right and it made me think of women supporting women.

    Diana

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  26. Happy book birthday, Hank. I'm breathless from reading this blog. Looking forward to The House Guest!

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  27. Love the title and the cover. Very intriguing. Happy Book Birthday, Hank!

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  28. Great questions, Hallie! Everything I wanted to know. Except I know better than to make ANY assumptions about any of Hank's books. She's a twisty one, always leading us down paths we didn't suspect.

    Congratulations, Hank, on the book, the kudos, and on your continuing career. It's so fun following you, since I first met you about the time you were finishing up Prime Time!

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  29. This is so of the moment, because doesn't it seem like we're living in a Golden Age for grifters, liars, con artists and gaslighters? And a lot of them are women: Anna Delvay, Elizabeth Holmes, Marina Butina (the Russian "gun activist") and many more. You'd think, in a time when we can find out so much about people online, that it would be harder to fool people, rather than easier, but no... maybe the internet is making us all collectively more gullible.

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    1. George Santos. Who embodies the term "con artist". How???

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    2. Definitely food for thought, Julia

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  30. Happy book birthday. I am so looking forward to this one!

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  31. What an entertaining discussion, Hank and Hallie--thank you! Thelma and Louise: one woman killing a man to protect the other woman, and the two disappearing--and eventually dying--together. Gaslight: a naïve woman shut up in a house where everyone else is working to convince her that she's going crazy. So: does one of Hank's women commit a crime to protect the other, or is one of them being gaslighted by the other? Or are both of them being threatened? It will be interesting to see!

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    1. Very nimbly doe, KimHaysBern! I'd read that book in a heartbeat.

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  32. Can’t wait for my pre-ordered copy from The Poisoned Pen to arrive! I’m sure The House Guest is going to be an instant bestseller. Have a blast at your launch party tonight at Brookline Booksellers!!

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  33. Happy book launch to Deborah Crombie and her book, A Killing of Innocents. I’m looking forward to reading it! Domestic thrillers are not my preference, but happy book launch to Hank too.

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  34. Happy pub day, Hank!! You are making a huge splash with this book, so exciting! Can't wait to read it!!!

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  35. Happy Book Birthday, Hank! Happy Book Birthday, Debs! Hank, I felt the suspense from this story from the first page on. I actually wrote most of my review before I finished the book, because I was having all the feels and needed to get it down on paper. I now have to go edit just a bit and the review will be up by tonight. It's been a busy day and going out to eat now. I can't wait for everyone else to read The House Guest so I can talk freely about it. Just an amazing story, Hank! And, I get to start Debs' book tonight.

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  36. "never a formula" is exactly why your books continue to amaze and delight, always fresh, new, and unpredictable. I never see it coming.

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