Interview with author Marlis Day

By Christopher Stokum and Sarah Schiavoni

We recently spoke with Marlis Day, author of the Margo Brown Mystery series (Why Johnny Died, Death of a Hoosier Schoolmaster, and The Curriculum Murders) and The Secret of Baileys Chase, the first book in the Adventures in Bailey’s Chase young adult book series.

WNW: How was your experience at Printer’s Row (June 12-13 this year)?
Day: It was truly a great experience. I not only got to know other Echelon authors, but I got to meet so many Chicago-area readers. Next time, I will remember Chicago’s reputation for being cool and windy and take a jacket.

WNW: In the Margo Brown series, the detective is a school teacher. How much did your own experiences as a teacher influence the development of your character?
Day: Honestly, Margo Brown is very much like me in my earlier teaching days. Of course, she’s smarter, prettier, and much braver than I.

WNW: Did you have any other fellow teachers in mind when you were developing this character?
Day: No, but I did pattern Margo’s sidekick, Roxie, after a fellow teacher and friend. Every school has one quirky teacher—funny and original. Mine was a science teacher named Sandy. I asked her if I could use her as a model for Roxie and she said, “Oh, what the hell.” I’m sure she thought my big book idea wouldn’t fly. But it did and Roxie remained faithful to Margo through all three books.

WNW: Did any of your experiences in the classroom work their way into your Margo Brown books?
Day: Absolutely. I had my own “Johnny Benson”—a boy neglected but bright, who didn’t die but was actually reared by an inept mother who tied him to the clothesline as a toddler, so she could to go town. He didn’t talk because no one talked to him. When he entered school, teachers thought he was mentally retarded and put him into special education classes. He soon learned to talk and read and surpassed the other children. His grandmother took custody and his life improved but he was still damaged by his early years. Always overweight and awkward around his peers, he smiled and lived in his books. Now, he’s working on a PhD in physics at a major university.

WNW: What prompted the move from adult books to young adult books?
Day: After teaching and reading to middle-grade children for over 30 years, I retired from the classroom. I missed the children. I decided if I wrote some middle-grade novels, I could visit classrooms to read and discuss the books with children. And I did. I visited 26 schools last year.

WNW: What have you been able to explore in young adult books that you weren’t able to in books for adults?
Day: The wholesome purity and innocence of children.

WNW: How is writing a mystery for young readers different than writing mysteries for adults?
Day: In some ways, it’s harder. You have to think like a child. My characters are 10-13 years old and I have to ask myself how they would respond.

WNW: What young adult authors have influenced your most recent writing?
Day: J.K. Rowling’s books swept the nation and I agree that they are delightful. However, a majority of the main characters, aside from Hermione, are boys. I wanted to write a book about strong girls. Girls with super powers. Girls who take on the world and fight bullies, injustice, and crime. There is a boy, Newt, who is a neighbor and best friend to the girls. Newt is a boy genius but has no super powers. He goes along with the girls and gives advice, sharing many of their adventures. They can’t tell him of their powers or they will lose them. It’s hard for them.

WNW: Do you plan to work solely on young adult books or do you plan to write more adult books?
Day: People ask me to write another Margo Brown book, but I don’t know if I will or not. I have one in my mind but nothing on paper. I had planned for Sparky’s and Grey’s adventures to be a two-book set. It is finished. So at this point, I have not decided.

WNW: Since you’re retired and your children are grown, you don’t have to worry so much about balancing your writing career with other activities. What sort of writing regime do you follow to make the most of your time?
Day: I’m a morning person, so I do most of my writing during the morning hours. During the rest of the day, I often think of stories and plots to write later. I keep my eyes and ears open for ideas. I have written two short stories, one a mystery and one a Christmas story for children. I’m hoping Echelon Press will publish them as E-Shorts. It’s true my children are grown, but my life is still so busy. I have four grandkids who love to visit us. We have ponies and horses, a lake and woods. I love to be outdoors in my garden. I mentor a child at the elementary school and volunteer at the local community center. I organize the town’s annual dog show and also the annual haunted house on Halloween. During the summer, I meet and read with children every Wednesday morning. My husband and I love to travel. This is also my life. Writing a book is a lot of work. I blog on two sites and tweet almost every day. I have five books in print (soon) and attend book festivals and conferences. I have lots to do! Aarrrgggghhhhh!

For more information about Marlis Day and her books, please visit her website or her Twitter page.