One of the world's most popular female crime writers talks to iVillage

Patricia Cornwell is the author of the Kay Scarpetta novels, including Black Notice and The Last Precinct. She is also due to release a stand-alone book Portrait of a Killer (about the Jack the Ripper case) in November 2002. She chats about her job in a medical examiner's office, what inspired her phenomenally popular Scarpetta series, her regular visits to the morgue and more...

iVillage: When you invent a murderer or villain in your stories, are they based on real people you've come across in your research?

Patricia Cornwell: Not literally, but I do model the killers after the types of people that I encounter. I've been to many murder trials. The character of Jaime Berger is inspired by Linda Fairstein. She's my good friend and I dedicated the book to her.

iVillage: Do you plan out an entire book ahead, or do you let your characters plot the course of action?

Patricia Cornwell: They are character-driven and research-driven. I do not outline my books; the characters direct the story as I write. They know better than I do.

iVillage: Why did you kill off Benton?

Patricia Cornwell: I didn't plan on killing Benton. Don't worry, the rest of that story is yet to be told. There are many surprises that will come after The Last Precinct.

iVillage: What new things did you learn about yourself when you were looking deeper into Kay's personality for The Last Precinct?

Patricia Cornwell: That was a painful experience. What Kay thinks and feels in this book is all very autobiographical. Kay tells us the story of being accused of cheating in school; this happened to me. I had to take the risk of showing the readers so much about her, and thus telling them about myself. Kay and I went through the same pain.

Medical background

iVillage: What made you centre the main characters around a medical examiner, a cop, and the FBI? Do you interact with any of these types of professionals regularly?

Patricia Cornwell: Yes I do. I worked in a medical examiner's office for six years, and I worked in Quantico with the FBI for a time. I still attend autopsies, too. Half of my staff consists of former police officers.

iVillage: How do you research the medical aspect of your Scarpetta books? Do you have a medical background?

Patricia Cornwell: The only medical background I have is my six-year stint with the medical examiner's office. I went to the morgue and assisted the doctors with whatever they needed. I've seen thousands of dead bodies. I always go to the labs and the morgues for the research for each book. I was also a volunteer police officer: I was bad at directing traffic.

iVillage: How did you become interested in the study of DNA?

Patricia Cornwell: When I worked in the medical examiner's office, DNA was just beginning to be used. I had to write about it quite a bit, because it's an important tool. I do a lot of research on it. The modern usage of DNA and the new technology that's being developed are very important. It can catch the bad guys, but it can also prove the innocence of those who did not commit a crime.

The future of Scarpetta

iVillage: How many more books will be in the Kay Scarpetta series? Also, because of the nature of your subject matter, have you had any clashes with 'anti-fans'?

Patricia Cornwell: Oh yes, I'll continue to write about Kay until she fires me. In answer to your second question: you're bound to have run-ins with unkind people sometimes. But most people are very gracious and kind to me. I just let the bad stuff roll off my back, and I do listen to criticism. Some of the criticism I've received from fans has caused me to take another look at my book, and even change it.

iVillage: Would you ever consider doing a series about Lucy?

Patricia Cornwell: I don't have any plans for that; I'd have to get rid of Kay if I did that. So, I doubt that Lucy will get her own series: but I'm only 44, so who knows?

About Patricia

iVillage: When you want to relax, what do you enjoy reading?

Patricia Cornwell: Well, I like to read my research material. I'm doing research on Jamestown right now. I enjoy reading books about John Smith and Native Americans. John Jakes' On Secret Service is a great book; lots of factual details in novel form. I like to learn something new when I read. I also like Far Side cartoons. iVillage: Which Scarpetta novel is your personal favourite, and why?

Patricia Cornwell: The Last Precinct is my favourite. It's the most powerful book I've written; it brings you right into Kay's soul and mind. This book is almost miraculous. I don't know how I did it, but I knew I wrote a good book. I hope I'll like the next one even better.

iVillage: Was mystery writing your first passion, or are there other genres you've explored or are interested in exploring?

Patricia Cornwell: When I started writing, I wrote poetry, then literary novels. But I'm interested in reporting on real life, and in talking to people who have had loved ones murdered. I like seeing, feeling and smelling these things. I'm a non-fiction writer. I take the facts and then run with them and add imagination.

iVillage: Is there a significant event that you feel has contributed to your success as a writer?

Patricia Cornwell: Yes: my first visit to the morgue changed how I look at things. The reality of death changed the way in which I want to express myself. I want to capture the reality, compassion and terror of violence. All cruelty in life is about abuse of power. And Kay will never abuse her power. Murder is the ultimate abuse of power. I'm writing about deeper human issues that are as old as time. We all need to avoid the abuse of power. Kay would agree with me on that.

That's not to say you can't defend yourself. There's one scene in the book where Kay stops a woman from abusing a dog. I'm very involved with animals; I'll get into a fistfight with someone who harms an animal.

Patricia's last words: Enlightenment; do no harm; and leave the world a better place than you found it.