Author Interview: Barbara Levenson, author of Justice in June

May 9, 2010 by Kay Elizabeth

I’m delighted to share here an interview with author Barbara Levenson about her new book, Justice in June. Barbara has lived in Miami for the past 32 years. She has served as a prosecutor, and run her own law practice where she focused on criminal defense and civil rights litigation. Barbara was elected to a judgeship in the circuit court of Miami-Dade County where she still serves as a senior judge.

So on with the interview!

How long did it take to write Justice in June?

About six months.

How did you get the idea?

Readers got a look at the best weather in South Florida in Fatal February. I thought it would be fun to show the worst weather, the rainy season. Additionally, I wanted to show an inside view of a woman judge. During the time I was planning Justice in June, a trial was going on in Miami accusing a group of young men of being terrorists. This gave me the idea of Luis Corona’s story.

What do you like most about having recurring characters in your novels?

Having recurring characters in my novels makes the readers a part of the family of characters. It gives an author the opportunity to enlarge each character and show more fully just who they are, and to introduce new characters that may be highlighted in future novels.

Is there any particular challenge of having recurring characters?

The challenge in having recurring characters is that each successive novel may become too formulaic and may end up boring the readers. It is my job to keep each adventure new and fresh.

Has Mary Magruder Katz changed in any way since you first dreamed her up?

Mary has grown and, I hope, matured just as we all do when we meet new challenges. She is growing in stature in her profession and has begun to question her inability to be committed in her personal life. Readers seem equally divided about whether they want Mary and Carlos to marry. Both sides are adamant in their feelings, so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how Mary feels about this important question.

What did you enjoy most about writing Justice in June?

My greatest enjoyment in writing Justice in June was working from a second point of view. It was interesting as an author to switch from Mary to Judge Liz Maxwell and then back to Mary again. Many writers and writing teachers warn against this, but I found it made the book move swiftly. We’ll have to see how readers like this variety.

Which part of the writing process did you find most challenging?

The part of the writing process I found most challenging was keeping my time focused on writing no matter what was going on around me or in my own life. Especially in mystery writing, if the author is distracted, the clues and characters may stray off course.

Your first novel, Fatal February, was released to rave reviews. Did you feel any pressure as you were writing Justice in June?

I didn’t feel pressured because of Fatal February, because I believe that this second book in the series is a better book. It gave me the opportunity to fill in the blanks about most of the characters, and that is what readers asked for after Fatal February. They wanted more Mary, more Carlos, and even more Catherine.

Are you as in love with Carlos as many of your readers are?

Am I as in love with Carlos as most of my readers are? Absolutely! He’s every woman’s fantasy lover; tender when with Mary, but forceful enough to be his own person, and occasionally a bit of a bad boy. I’ve only had one woman tell me she didn’t like Carlos. I wanted to send her to a sex therapist to test her for lack of libido, but I decided to mind my own business.

Is Carlos based on a real person?

In looks, yes. I happened to see the prototype at my local car wash. We chatted over the free popcorn. He was quite charming, but when he turned to talk to the attendants, he was very rude. That gave me the idea for the Carlos character. As to his “hottie” persona, he is totally imaginary, although several male acquaintances are sure they are the model for Carlos. Well, they can dream, can’t they?

Where do you do most of your writing?

I do all of my writing in my writing room in Miami in the winter and spring, and in my writing room in Quechee, Vermont, in the summer and fall. I write on the computer. In both places, I have great views of trees, blossoms, and birds, and in Vermont, I have a view of a family of wild turkeys who have taken up residence in the woods behind our house. They are so tame that they come up to the sliding glass doors and watch me write.

What’s your process for writing a novel? Do you start with the plot fully fleshed‐out, or does it develop as you’re writing?

I always have a general idea of the plot, but sometimes the characters make changes in my plan. They often decide to go their own way, and when I listen to them, the book is always better.

Why do you think Mary Magruder Katz is such a compelling protagonist?

I think Mary is a compelling protagonist because she’s not perfect. No matter what or how well she plans, life intercedes and throws her many curves. That’s how we all are in real life, so a variety of readers can identify with Mary. She’s not always right. Sometimes she hurts her parents’ feelings or her boyfriend’s feelings, but she keeps trying to get life right.

Do you think Mary’s enthusiasm is a good quality or a not‐so‐good quality?

The phrase “where angels fear to tread” sometimes springs to mind! I like Mary’s enthusiasm and her fearless attitude about her work. You can be a good lawyer by playing it safe and only taking winnable cases. To be a great lawyer requires taking on the unique cases and moving the law in exciting, new avenues. Mary does just that as she grows professionally. Mary certainly gets herself into some scrapes.

Do you think she has bad luck, or is she somehow inviting all of this craziness?

Because Mary refuses to play it safe, she ends up in some perilous situations. The old saying “no pain, no gain” comes to mind. She could have stayed in her safe environment with her former fiancé and his civil law firm. Instead, she ended up with Carlos and an exciting criminal defense practice. Both Carlos and the practice are bound to lead her to situations that require resilience.

Have you ever experienced writer’s block, and if so, how do you overcome it?

I have never had writer’s block. I love to write. Sometimes I’d rather go outside and dig in my garden, but I make myself get down to work and the words continue to fill the pages. Occasionally, I get bored with a part of the story, so I put it away for a day, and I go do something totally fun. The next day, I’m back at work with a new angle for the story.

For readers unfamiliar with Miami, what do you hope your novels show them about the city you so clearly love—most of the time, at least?

For readers who know little about Miami except for TV shows that only look at South Beach, I wanted to show the real Miami, an international city of hard‐working people; of families who get up early and fight the traffic to go to work, and who do not stay out all night at dance clubs. I definitely love Miami. I’m often asked when I give talks about the influx of immigrants to Miami. It’s my belief that each group that makes its home in Miami adds to the overall charm and vibrancy. Variety truly is the spice of life, and Miami has spice.

Would you ever envision writing outside the mystery genre? Why or why not?

I have written some short stories and a novel that are not mysteries, and I have outlined another novel that isn’t a mystery. But my first love is the mystery genre. The novel that isn’t a mystery is not very good. It’s a “coming of age” story, and we have too many of those already in print. The good thing about mysteries is that they cover numerous subgenres: humor, romance, thriller, paranormal, literary, and others, so there is something for every type of author and reader.

Which writers influence and inspire you?

Pat Conroy, Haven Kimmel, David Baldacci, John Grisham, Lisa Scottoline, Dave King, and of course I was influenced early in life by the Nancy Drew mysteries and Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.

What’s next for Mary Magruder Katz?

Mary will have to withstand changes in her life in Outrageous October, the third book in the series, so get ready for a change of venue and maybe even a new love interest.

What’s next for Barbara Levenson? It’s easier for me to know what’s ahead for Mary. I can see her future, but I can’t really foretell my own. I just hope to go on writing and observing human nature, and entertaining readers who turn to books to enrich their lives.

Justice in June is available from all good book stores, including Amazon, as of 6/7/2010 .

Many thanks to Barbara and also to Maryglenn at OceanView Publishing for allowing us to share this interview! – Ed.