Caryn Gottlieb-Fitzgerald
Author Interview

November 14, 2008. Queenie D chats with Caryn Gottlieb-Fitzgerald
about her novel,Tulips in the Sand

Author Interview: Caryn Gottlieb-Fitzgerald

Riley's romantic life is very busy. I felt like she flitted from man to man quickly in the story. Was your goal to show that she couldn't figure out what she wanted in life after her parent's death?

Riley is a young woman who has experienced a great tragedy in her life. She is uncertain of commitment, what her heart desires and how to trust within a relationship. My goal was to share this personal side of her with readers, allowing them to understand her actions more clearly.

Author Interview: Caryn Gottlieb-Fitzgerald

So Riley is rich. Why doesn't she want to spend any of her money?

Riley is dealing with learning to trust others, especially men, overcoming her fear of losing those she has close to her, especially after what happened to her father. This is manifested in her lack of spending, which is her way of trying to determine if people care for her for who she is versus what her financial status is. She is fearful of allowing people to get close to her for what she feels are the wrong reasons.

Author Interview: Caryn Gottlieb-Fitzgerald

The "bad guy" in this story is really twisted. Do you think there are men out there who will go to such extremes to have a woman?

Yes, I do, but perhaps not to the extreme of this bad guy, however it does get the readers wondering if such individuals do really exist. Creating extremes is something I enjoy doing with my characters and I hope readers will enjoy following them and the surprises that come with each one.

Author Interview: Caryn Gottlieb-Fitzgerald

Riley is really good at figuring things out. Is she just an intuitive person or does she have a knack for solving crimes?

I like to think Riley has great intuition when she uses it. Sometimes, she is just a girl who follows her heart instead of using her head. She also has some unique resources that stem from her family ties, many of which have yet to be seen. As she ages, her intuition and ability to solve mysteries will continue to grow with her.

Author Interview: Caryn Gottlieb-Fitzgerald

A main theme in this book is familial ties. Riley didn't want to let hers go but she also couldn't face them. Taylor wanted to rid himself of his at any cost. Do mysteries that involve a tangled family web intrigue readers more?

In general, we are all part of a family and regardless of the make-up of our families; all have good and bad times, interesting relatives and memories that will stick for a lifetime. I feel that readers can relate to situations that involve a tangled family web, a bit of drama and (hopefully) a positive outcome. My goal is always to provide the reader with something they can understand, a situation they can empathize with, and characters they can root for.

Author Interview: Caryn Gottlieb-Fitzgerald

How did the character of Riley evolve?

Riley was created from a blend of several women I have known over the years and who they desired to become. She is creative, intuitive and driven. At times she attempts to be totally focused and in control, while at other times it is obvious she is a girl struggling with growing into womanhood. As I observed those around me I realized that although we are all different, on some level, we as women are all alike and go through similar stages in maturation, it is how we handle those situations that allow us to be different. Riley is strong and determined as I feel most women desire to be and to be perceived as being.

Author Interview: Caryn Gottlieb-Fitzgerald

I see that there are going to be more "Riley Matthews" mysteries. Why do they start 10 years later? Is this story just the set up for her role as a crime solver for the rest of her life?

It was important for the readers to learn more about Riley and how she became the woman she is today. I felt the best way to achieve this was to share her story in present time, through Riley's eyes looking back. To allow her to have more credibility as a crime solver required her to be a bit older than she was, yet I didn't see Riley as a mature woman with grown children...her youthful excitement and curiosity needed to be shared. Although this story takes the reader 10 years back in time, this does allow for a 10 year gap that could be filled in with many more adventures down the line.

Author Interview: Caryn Gottlieb-Fitzgerald

What kinds of things might Riley get herself into next?

Riley has a knack for finding the most unique circumstances and intertwining herself into them. As she has now developed some additional connections in the crime solving world, some of these circumstances come knocking on her door. Riley will be finding herself mixed up in some very creative and surprising situations in the future. Many of which will take her out of her comfort zone and away from her home state of Florida. She now has the added support of a special gentleman to assist her in her crime solving endeavors, so you can expect for Riley to continue to grow, develop her strengths as a woman, a crime solver and of course to keep the readers intrigued with her journey.

Author Interview: Caryn Gottlieb-Fitzgerald

Tell us a little bit about your journey as an author.

I come from a family of authors and have been writing for as long as I can remember. Writing for me, is my passion. It allows me to share my thoughts, my dreams, and surprise & entertain readers with my creativity.

Over the years, I have written poetry, editorials, and journal articles along with fiction. As a graduate student over a decade ago, several professors encouraged me to publish my work and that is where my path changed direction and I went from being a writer to being a published author. Currently I am working on sharing my personal life story of my triumph over adversity, part of which has been released as a chapter in the book entitled "Manifest Success" while the detailed version is due out as a complete book in 2009. Writing has allowed me to grow as an individual and communicate with others at times when it was difficult for me to use spoken words. Passionate and blessed. That is how I feel about my gift of being able to write, to share with others, and of being an author.

Author Interview: Caryn Gottlieb-Fitzgerald

Kim is a good friend. Is there a reason you didn't give her a love interest or a "happy ending" in the epilogue?

Stay tuned as there is much more to come for Kim in the future.

Author Interview: Caryn Gottlieb-Fitzgerald

What does the title mean?

The title is actually a play on words. As Riley spends time with her love interest on the beach, the two meet and their lips connect, hence Tulips in the Sand was created.

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