Nevada Barr

QUESTIONS FROM READERS

Nevada Barr answers readers' questions about the meaning of her latest novel's title, the personal effects of writing about disturbing topics, and finding time for other activities amidst her busy work schedule.

George from Waltham, MA: Having seen you interviewed on Ken Burns's “National Parks” series, I'm interested to know how you find time to write, considering the amount of time your work with the parks demands?

Nevada Barr: Since writing is my work, I find that everything else, EVERYTHING else --- parks, weeding the garden, cleaning the bath --- feels like goofing off and, as you know, there is always time for goofing off.

Jeannie from Milroy, PA: What made you decide on writing an intense, mind-twisting drama?

Nevada Barr: When I lived in Minneapolis many moons ago, there was a horrific murder in Rochester. A boy --- a nice boy --- killed his entire family. Over the years I became fascinated, not with the murders so much, but with how those who survive such calamities go on with their lives.

Mark from Cleveland, TN: How did you come up with the title?

Nevada Barr: The title was a gift from a psychiatrist friend of mine who worked with juvenile offenders. He mentioned that they often got the tattoo 13 1/2: 12 jurors, one judge, half a chance.

Rita from Wichita Falls, TX: Was this a difficult book to write? I am sure you had to do a lot of research, and I think that would be hard to do, considering the subject matter. Did writing this book give you nightmares?

Nevada Barr: Not nightmares but, too often, a deep and abiding sadness.