Lisa Orchard
As a big fan of all three of Lisa's books, my daughter was thrilled to have had the wonderful opportunity to interview Lisa Orchard recently for her radio program, and Lisa was kind enough to let me post the Q/A on here.
Blurb:
Sarah Cole and her sister Lacey are at
it once again when they learn their missing parents’ cell phone has been traced
to Alden, Michigan. When the FBI declines to continue the investigation, Sarah
takes matters into her own hands. She calls upon the Super Spies and they delve
into the situation. Suddenly, the teens find themselves immersed in small town
intrigue and mystery involving a menacing stranger, who Sarah dubs “The
Stalker." But when Sarah learns he’s connected to her parents’ disappearance,
she’s determined to find out what that connection is. The Super Spies embark on
a journey that leads them into a web of corporate corruption at its highest
level that leaves innocent victims in its wake. Can they find the proof they
need to stop the greedy corporation before it’s too late?
Questions:
1. When did you start writing books?
I started writing when I was in the fifth grade. However, I
didn’t pursue publication until I stayed home with my kids. I’ve been having fun with my writing and my
books. It’s an awesome feeling when I hear how someone enjoyed my stories.
2. Why did you chose to write kids and teens
books?
I love the age group! I had some great friends when I was a
teen and we had many adventures together. When I look back on my life, it was
those early years that come to mind. They were some of the happiest times of my
life.
3. How do you come up with the stories?
That’s a good question and it’s different for each story.
For example, my first book “The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer” came about
from some of my own exploits as a teen. Of course, they’re greatly embellished
to make the story more fun! My idea for my second book came from a true life
event. In each book there’s a particular message that I want the young reader
to learn right along with the characters. So, I wrap a story around that
message.
4. When you were young did you want to be a
detective?
Yes! In fact, my friends and I formed our own detective
squad. For a whole summer we worked on a mystery in our neighbourhood. We never
solved it, but I must say it was one of the best summers of my life.
5. In the stories did any of the events happen
in your life?
Some of the events happened in my life. My friends and I did
form our own detective squad, but we investigated an act of vandalism in our
neighbourhood not a murder. Although, when school started our Jr. High had a
bomb threat and of course we were on the case with that one too!
6. Is there going to be a forth Super Spies
story?
Yes. I’m going to continue
writing the series because I love the characters. I’m going to keep writing it
as long as I can think of interesting mysteries to solve.
7. In the first book ‘Super spies and the cat
lady killer’, why did you choose that the particular person to be the murderer?
There are a number of reasons. I love stories where the
underdog wins, and in that story the Super Spies are definitely the underdog. I
wanted to show readers that even though the odds may be stacked against them,
if they persevere they can still get justice in the end, even if they run into
obstacles like my characters did.
8. When you were writing the first book did
you have a picture in your head of each character? How did you imagine them?
I definitely did. Some authors get pictures out of magazines
and construct characters’ physical appearance that way. I get my physical
appearances and personalities from real people. My friends or people I’ve met
in my life. For example, I might meet
someone and something about their appearance catches my eye, it might be the
twinkle in their eye, or their curly hair, or the way one of their front teeth
collides with the other. Things like that and I remember them and match those
physical characteristics with a personality that I think that attribute would
go well with. So, my characters are a combination of those people I’ve met or
have been friends with along the way.
9. In the second book how do you describe the
damage the bomb has caused because when you read it it’s like it is happening
to you right now?
I did a lot of research about bombs before I wrote it and I
wanted it to be as realistic as possible. I talked to authorities and also did
a lot of research online about bombs and their after effects. I also watched a
lot of movies in which a bombing takes place just to make sure I had the
visualization down right.
10. Will you write other stories besides Super
spies?
Definitely. I’m
working on a Young Adult Coming of Age novel right now and I’m really excited
about it. I love the main character in
it and I’m hoping my readers will too. It’s a great story with some awesome
messages in it that I think are very important for young girls. Excerpt:
Chapter One
“What do you mean you lost them?” Sarah
Cole fidgeted as she waited for Agent Gray to answer. I can’t believe it! He
lost the only clue to our parents’ location. What is wrong with this picture?
Agitated, Sarah shifted in her seat and chewed on her lip. She was
uncomfortable in the folding chair and rearranged her petite frame so she
wouldn’t feel the cold metal against her bare legs. Shivering, she glanced
around the all-too-familiar room.
The gray cement block walls no longer
gave her that creepy, closed-in feeling she’d used to get when she first came
to the interrogation rooms. She remembered the first time she’d been in that
tiny space. It had been the day she’d discovered the Cat Lady’s dead body.
Sarah shuddered at the memory and then smiled when she remembered forming the
Super Spies and bringing the Cat Lady Killer to justice. Glancing around the
room again, she realized she’d been in this room quite a bit these last few
weeks, not only during the Cat Lady investigation, but the High School Bomber
investigation as well. Shivering again, Sarah rubbed her arms but she really
wasn’t cold. Her mind filled with the image of the bomber the Super Spies had
helped apprehend just a week earlier.
Wow! Was it just last week?
She tugged at a lock of her honey
colored hair, then brushed it away with an impatient hand. She sighed and
glanced at her younger sister. Lacey sat beside her with her legs crossed,
jiggling her foot at such a rapid rate it seemed like her whole body was
electrified. She caught Sarah’s eye and for a moment her eyes glittered like
emeralds before she shifted her gaze to Aunt June, who had placed her hand on
Lacey’s leg in what appeared to be an attempt to quiet her. Sarah shifted in
her chair and sighed again. Are we ever going to find Mom and Dad?
A commotion out in the hall drew
everyone’s attention. Sarah leaned forward and craned her neck to see what was
happening.
“Chief, we’ve got an OD!” An officer
yelled.
“What?” Chief Johnson yelled as he
rushed by. “An OD on what? Give me the details.”
“The parents found their son unconscious
in his room this morning, and an empty bottle of prescription medication on his
bedside table.”
“What was it?” Chief Johnson asked.
“It’s Myodine.”
“Who makes it?”
“Ah… Piper Drugs.”
“Call Poison Control with the name and
manufacturer and ask them what to do about an overdose. Instruct the parents to
get their son to the hospital pronto,” Chief Johnson ordered.
“They’ve brought him here.”
“What?” Chief Johnson exclaimed.
The sound of policemen rushing through
the hall pulled Sarah and her sister out of their seats. They hurried to the
door, unable to stifle their curiosity. Peering down the corridor, Sarah caught
a glimpse of a young man sagging between two officers as they desperately tried
to keep him on his feet. One officer gently slapped his face while the other
officers held him up. The young man blinked and then gagged, puking on the
officer in front of him.
The rancid stench of fresh vomit filled
the air. While plugging her nose, Sarah ducked back inside the interrogation
room, followed by her sister. Sarah closed the door, hoping it would keep the
smell from penetrating the room.
“Did you hear that, Lace? Piper Drugs!
That’s the company Dad works for,” Sarah whispered in her sister’s ear before
proceeding back to her seat.
Lacey opened her mouth to speak, but
closed it when Agent Gray cleared his
throat and motioned for them to sit
down.
He continued his conversation as if they
hadn’t been interrupted. We were on our way to the location of the ping… but
before we got there it disappeared.”
“So, what does that mean? Did you find
our parents or what?” Sarah blurted out as she sat down. She stared into Agent
Gray’s icy blue eyes, trying to read his mind.
About the Author:
I am the oldest of four children and grew up in a small town in Western Michigan. I grew up reading mysteries, starting with "The Bobbsey Twins" and "The Nancy Drew" series.
By fifth grade I was writing my own mysteries and illustrating them as well. I've always known that I wanted to be a writer and I tucked that little piece of information into the back of my brain; determined to take it out and use it when it was time.
After graduating from Central Michigan University with a Marketing Degree, I landed a sales job. I was on my way! After spending 13 years in the Insurance industry, I met my husband. We soon married and had two beautiful boys. I decided to stay home with my kids. A tough decision, but one I don't regret.
I did, however, miss the hustle and bustle of work - and working toward a goal. That is when the little voice inside my brain said, "It's time to write."
So I did, and "The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer" was born, followed by my new book, "The Super Spies and the High School Bomber."
I am very excited as I begin this new "chapter" in my life
~~~
