The House That Inspired a Ghost

Readers outside of Lumberton, North Carolina might think that Aunt Laurel's aging, rambling home in Vicki's Key was entirely the stuff of fiction. But those who live here in the town where Vicki's Key is set know it was inspired by a real home... and real ghosts.

The Caldwell House was built at the turn of the 20th century and remained in the Caldwell family for three generations. It fell into disrepair when the last resident passed away and was eventually sold to a family in California. Unfortunately, it continued to deteriorate and remained vacant for several years.

The lady who moved into the home for a short time reported hearing children's laughter on the second floor, even though no one was there in the house with her. She also reported taking her shoes off beside the bed each night, only to find they had been moved while she slept.

A local resident remembered driving past the house one dark and stormy night to see a person standing at the third floor window, watching him, although the house was empty at the time.

Others reported seeing a figure walk past the windows carrying an old-fashioned lantern that lit up the windows during the blackest of nights...

In Vicki's Key, when Vicki Boyd pulls up in front of the house to start her new job assisting the elderly woman who lives there, she is tempted to keep on driving - until the woman's charming Irish nephew, Dylan Maguire, talks her into staying.

But Vicki soon discovers Aunt Laurel has suffered a stroke and is confined to the third floor bedroom... And when the house starts to come alive with secrets long thought buried, Vicki questions her sanity - or is it something more that lurks there in the old, rambling home?

Vicki's Key is p.m.terrell's 13th published book. Released earlier this year, it is a nominee for the 2012 International Book Awards and the 2012 USA Best Book Award. It is the second book in the Black Swamp Mysteries series. The third, Secrets of a Dangerous Woman, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2012.

Fascination with a Culture

Two weeks ago, I spoke to a class of Asian Studies students at the University of North Carolina. I became intrigued with how their instructor had immersed herself in Asian culture, including having lived in both Japan and China. She spoke both languages as fluently as she speaks English, and clearly loved the Asian countries.

A couple of months ago, I met a reporter who had the same fascination. She had traveled extensively in Thailand for more than two straight years.

And my sister has traveled extensively in Africa with her job and loves the cultures she finds there.

I suppose it's no secret that I love Ireland. It began when I was researching the Mary Neely story and realized my ancestors had been traced back to Ireland and then to the Vikings. It was further enhanced when my cousin told me there was a Neely family reunion in Ireland every year (my maiden name). The more I learned about the country, the more I thought of it as home, as if it was something passed down in my DNA.

Is there a country or a culture that you feel drawn to? What country/culture is it, and what draws you to it?

p.m.terrell is the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of 13 published books. Her latest, Vicki's Key, introduced an Irish character. Her next book, Secrets of a Dangerous Woman, is the next in the series and will be released in the fall of 2012. Find out more about her writing at www.pmterrell.com.

Write What You Know... Or Not

The advice "write what you know" has been handed down for generations. But in reality, how many writers stick to that advice?

I write suspense/thrillers, which includes at least one murder (and usually more) in each book. They've been shot, stabbed, poisoned, their deaths made to look like accidents... But I've never actually DONE any of those crimes. I research quite a bit, looking at police reports, real crime scene data, and talk to experts (usually on the right side of the law.) But I'd never dream of actually shooting someone as research for my murder scene.

Vicki's Key has more romance in it than any of my previous work. It didn't just happen; it was by design. My readers had been clamoring for more romance for several years and I finally gave it to them in a new series, Black Swamp Mysteries, that is designed to be edgier and sexier.

But I have to admit, I was surprised when people began commenting about the research I must have done for the love scenes. I didn't know quite how to respond to that. I've never made love in an open field next to a pond in Ireland but by golly, there's a scene in one of my upcoming books that does just that.

So I'm curious: if you are a writer, how much do you write that you actually experienced? And if you are a reader, how much of the book you're reading do you expect the author to have experienced first-hand?

Picture Me - Saturday Answer

Yesterday, this picture was shown and you were asked to flash forward in time and tell me what this high school gal accomplished in her life:

In real life, this is a picture of Betty White, the famous actress. She is as popular today as she was at any time during her career!

Picture Me on Friday

In keeping with this month's theme of faces and characters, take a look at this high school yearbook picture.

Flash forward 20 or 30 years or more. Tell me what this young woman will do with her life. Become a wife and mother? Start a corporation? Be a spy for America, Russia, China or someone else? Use your imagination!

Tomorrow you'll find out who she really is...

Picture Me - Saturday Answer

Yesterday, you were asked to describe this man if he was a character in your book.

His true identity is Rick Springfield. You can learn more about him here and buy his autobiography here.

Picture Me on Friday

This week, I'm using a variation of "Picture Me on Friday."

Today, you find yourself with this man. What do you see in his face? Is he a love interest, caring, giving, sexy, romantic?

Or is he a killer, a con artist, the antagonist in your next book (if you're a writer)?

Use your imagination and tell me what you see in his facial features that would cause you to lean one way or the other. And tomorrow, you'll find out his true identity...