When a wave of serial murders shakes a peaceful town, veteran detectives Bill and Romana, lawyer Emma, police officer Alisson and deputy Bartolomeu come together to unravel the mysteries behind the heinous crimes. In the book “O Fruto Proibido”, author Carol F. immerses readers in a police thriller plot, where the protagonists not only seek justice, but also face their own inner demons. With a non-linear narrative and alternating points of view, the work explores themes such as the challenges of personal and professional life, childhood violence and the echoes of the past in the formation of identity, keeping the villain’s identity a secret until the last pages. .
Carol, how did the idea for “O Fruto Proibido” come about? Was there a specific event or inspiration that led you to write this story?
The desire to write a book had been floating around in my mind for a few years, but I never put the project into practice. In mid-February 2022, 8 months after giving birth to my second daughter, Maya, still in that delicate phase of having a newborn at home and with extremely heightened feelings, I decided to stop just wanting to write my own stories and I started to really think about the themes to be covered. I always had a huge fear about motherhood: that my daughters could one day go through some type of abuse. So, one night, I dreamed of several situations similar to the book and decided to put it on paper. Therefore, the book, initially, appeared as a way to protect my daughters and also other children. But he went beyond this initial goal, he even found romance along the way.
You mentioned that the book was written based on personal feelings. Can you share how your own experiences influenced the creation of the characters and plot?
When you begin a creative writing process, so many things arise that you even lose control of what flows with your development. After finishing and reviewing the book, I was able to better understand the number of characteristics of some characters that were also mine, in addition to some internal struggles that they experienced. As a mother, for example, I was able to describe a mother’s pain when she thought she had lost her child in a public place, out of pure distraction, which already happened to me. As a teenager who is also dissatisfied with her body and has had eating disorders, I transcribed part of what I already experience related to this. Furthermore, my experience as a lawyer was fundamental in explaining the procedures involved in a police investigation, which also made it easier to write “The Forbidden Fruit”.
The non-linear narrative and alternation of points of view are striking features of your book. Why did you choose this style and how does it contribute to building suspense?
A good suspense, one that really captures the reader, is generally equipped with richer descriptions of both the environments and the characters. These were strong points in the construction of my narration. Furthermore, the fact that the plot unfolds, going from one scene to the next, I believe it helps to confuse the reader who never knows what could really come in the next chapter. So, to make the story even richer and more mysterious, I chose to develop the narrative by dividing it into chapters that described scenes of some main characters, part of the past that justified their presence in the story and that, at the same time, placed them as key players in the development of the plot related to the murders, being directly or indirectly involved. Each character chosen to be deepened was essential to cause even more suspense to the chapters written and developed throughout the story.
The characters deal with various personal problems while investigating the murders. How did you balance developing these personal subplots with the main suspense plot?
This resource used was designed from the beginning so that the book would have a break from the heavy theme regarding murders and child abuse. With that in mind, I wanted to bring different elements to incorporate the narrative. Bringing up personal dilemmas of the main characters would be a way to capture readers who, at some point during reading, would identify with one of these problems faced, which is of great importance for them to continue turning the pages of the book. Furthermore, each problematic situation faced by the characters was extremely necessary for the narrative to develop with even more mystery, being a technique used to confuse the reader in terms of finding the real killer and his real motivation.
The book addresses topics such as violence against children and the impacts of abusive relationships. How important was it to include these themes and what message do you hope to convey to readers?
The themes covered in the book are strong, deep, and trigger many individuals. I believe that, at some point in most people’s lives, they have been through some type of toxic, abusive, painful or just sad relationship, which left a deep impression on them. This can occur in family, romantic or even friendship relationships. I tried, in a general context, taking into account different dilemmas of different characters to show that, despite everything, we can overcome our own traumas and come out of desperate situations even stronger than we entered them. Hope was an essential feeling to compose the final message: don’t let an event from the past define your future. You are stronger than this.
Each character in “O Fruto Proibido” has a distinct and complex trajectory. Which one did you find most challenging to write and why?
I came across some that really affected me, especially when talking about their deepest fears. But, without a shadow of a doubt, writing the chapters in which the killer expressed his deepest feelings about his desire for minors was what impacted and challenged me the most. I did a lot of research into what goes on in the killer’s mind to put his thoughts and attitudes on paper. I felt disgust, anger, anguish and so many other feelings when speaking for him, but I managed to get out of “character” as soon as I finished writing the aforementioned chapters.
Police thrillers are a genre with many classics. What were your main literary influences when writing “O Fruto Proibido”?
I’ve been passionate about suspense since I was young. It’s my favorite literary genre. I read several classics by Agatha Christie, Stephen King, Sidney Sheldon, among others. However, to prepare “The Forbidden Fruit”, I had Hallan Coben as my main reference, considering that his books, at least the most current ones, have a considerable number of characters that he develops and manages to tie together, during the plot, everyone’s lives in a common event. At first, everything seems very nebulous and meaningless, but then Hallan, with his brilliant writing skills, connects each action, of several characters, to an incredible and unexpected ending. His books were a great source of inspiration, regarding the suspense part. Regarding the fluidity of writing, I was inspired by Collen Hoover’s books, which has a lighter way of conveying personal dilemmas to its readers.
You explored the characters’ human contradictions and moral dilemmas. What was the research process like to ensure these representations were authentic and realistic?
In addition to being a voracious reader, I have always been a great listener. Whether from family, friends or just colleagues. So, as a person who was considered trustworthy by so many, I have heard many confidences throughout my life. In these many private conversations, it is generally impossible to lie. The truth emerges and the soul becomes transparent. Thus, so many people showed me their weaknesses, their dilemmas, their contradictions between attitudes and thoughts. And, taking into account the wealth of details of what I heard, I managed to compose most of the characters. Furthermore, in relation to the killer, I needed to go a little further and studied the behavior of several psychopaths through books and films.
The villain’s identity remains secret until the final moments of the plot. How did you maintain suspense and avoid giving away clues that could reveal the outcome too soon?
I tried to plant several false clues in the reader’s mind. I emphasized characters that were not so important to the plot. I pointed out characteristics that could suggest that one or the other could be the killer. I highlighted situations that hinted at the dangerousness of some characters. And, in addition, I deviated from the main subject on several occasions, which was the investigation of heinous crimes against children, including an unexpected romance during the narrative.
At the end of the book, you mention that love and forgiveness must prevail. How did you manage to integrate these values into such a dark and twisty narrative?
Despite being fascinated by a good suspense, a deep drama and a narrative that works on strong aspects of a certain subject, I have always believed that, at the end of it all, we can find something positive from what we experience. So, despite so much pain, suffering and trauma, I believe that only forgiveness and love can heal human beings and transform their present and future into a pleasant place to live. The turnaround seen in the last few pages is in this sense. When we finally manage to forgive others and ourselves, we find a prosperous path and a hope of being happy.
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