Thursday, May 26: Femme Fatale
WHERE DID YOU HEAR THAT?
by Deborah Elliott-Upton
Like the rest of us, I am bombarded by information every day – some of it interesting enough to keep locked away in my mind’s filing system or at least scribbled in a notebook for future use. Some of it may help me on “Jeopardy” or a game of “Trivial Pursuit”, but most often, it ekes its way onto my computer screen for a new story. Today, I thought I might share just a few tidbits I’ve gathered along the roadway of life.
- The creator of the “Nancy Drew Mysteries” was Edward Stratemeyer, but his name never graced the cover. Carolyn Keene was the pseudonym of various writers throughout the years.
While I knew many authors had thrown their hats into the ring writing as Carolyn Keene, I don’t believe I’d seen Edward Stratemeyer’s name associated with creating the teenage girl detective that drove so many of us toward a future as avid mystery lovers.
- Proving that creativity doesn’t end with one talent, the mysteries Armadillos and Old Lace and A Case of Lone Star were written by a country singer named Kinky Friedman.
If I needed any reminder that people aren’t always what shows on the outside or on a performance stage, Country & Western singers prove a second look is often necessary to see the real person beneath the cloak of stardom, I think of the accomplishments of Dolly Parton, businessman woman extraordinaire, and John Rich, the impressive 2011 Celebrity Apprentice. Kinky Friedman, the singer from Texas who ran for Governor in 2006 with the catchphrase, “Why the hell not?”, proves he has ability as a mystery writer. He’s tried his hand at nonfiction, too, including the popular You Can Lead a Politician to Water, But You Can’t Make Him Think: Ten Commandments For Texas Politics.
- With billions of copies in print, Agatha Christie’s novels rank among the best-selling books of all time, along with the Bible and works of William Shakespeare.
My first thought was WOW! Billions? WOW!
- Agatha Christie seems to like the use of poisons in her stories, perhaps because she worked with pharmaceuticals during World War I.
I didn’t know this about Christie, but it makes sense that with her methodical writing, a background with delicate and precise chemicals would come in handy. My personal opinion is smart people make the best mystery writers and the best readers.
Nothing stimulates our brain quite like solving puzzles and learning new things – even if they are bits of facts we hadn’t known before. Keep reading. I believe it keeps us sharper, interesting, and adds a twinkle to our eyes. Who doesn’t want that?
I totally agree that smart people are the greatest mystery writers!! I am often in awe of a good Whodunnit!!
I had heard somewhere that Edward started the Nancy Drew Series (it was my favorite growing up!) and that his daughter or granddaughter took over after he died?? I thought it was interesting that a man had come up with such a clever, and well dressed, teenager!! LOL!!
I recently read a two book series by Connie Willis, BLACK OUT and ALL CLEAR, which are time travel books set in and around World War II in England.
During one of the worst nights of the blitz our heroes are trying to sneak in and out of a particular hospital but they have trouble with the highly alert and observant woman dispensing drugs. They later learn she is a volunteer named Mrs Mallowan. “I believe she also writes novels,” a doctor says vaguely. Yup, Dame Agatha.
Rob and Lissa, thanks for the info. Both are interesting! LOVE learning new tidbits and I’ll have to check out Connie Willis’ books.
That’s what turned me into a mystery reader & occasional perpetrator. I was lucky enough to spend the summers at my grandmother’s house. She had many volumes of the Nancy Drew books, Ian Fleming, and Agatha Christie, as well as an illustrated first edition of the Wizard of Oz in which Dorothy was blonde.
I had no idea that Agatha Christie worked in pharmaceuticals. That explains a lot though.
Day jobs and before they got famous information is always interesting to me.
Edward Stratemeyer wrote short synopses of the Nancy Drew books, then hired ghostwriters to do the actual writing. These works, in turn, were edited and polished as needed. Mildred Wirt Benson wrote the first books in the series — actually writing 23 of the first 25 books. Journalist Walter Karig also wrote one of the early books and has been mistakenly credited for writing a number of books in the series.
After Stratemeyer’s death in 1930, his daughter Harriet (later Harriet Stratemeyer Adams) took over most of the editorial and rewiting duties.
There are now over 500 Nancy Drew books published.
Non-smart people often provide the best drama though. I think that is politically correct or maybe it should be intellectually challenged, smart deficient, or dumb. Regardless, smart people can write wonderful mysteries that are full of suspense and intrigue, but they are not easily translated into realty shows, which seems to be the societies standard of excellence. Need to find a way in order for the “challenged” people to come up with mysteries and intrigue that does not involve Cops.
Rambling aside, great post
Stratemeyer also devised the Hardy Boys series, which were apparently all written by assorted and sundry ghostwriters.
Here’s more useless information that I love: During the early years of her career at the turn of the last century actress Billie Burke was gushed over by Mark Twain who invited her to a get-together at his home.