My journey to becoming a novelist was fueled by my extensive career in forensic anthropology and a desire to share my science with a broader audience. Initially trained in archaeology, I found myself drawn to the more immediate and impactful field of forensic anthropology when local law enforcement began bringing me cases. This shift from studying ancient skeletons to solving modern-day mysteries was a pivotal moment for me, as it allowed me to directly affect people's lives with my work.
I had avoided literature classes as an undergraduate, so I had no training in writing. I had done scientific articles and textbooks, and I didn’t want to do another one of those. I’d just worked a serial-murder case which had some interesting elements. I had a colleague who was writing some paperback romance novels and making a little extra money on the side. I had three children heading to university so I thought I could make a little extra money. All of that came together.
I was a full-time university professor when I wrote the first book. I just hoped it would get published, and maybe someone would read it, and they might like it. When I created the character, I did do it with the idea it would be a series, not a one-off. But I didn’t expect 19 volumes in 37 languages, and a TV show in every foreign territory in the world. It’s been a global phenomenon.
The character of Tempe is always described as being “loosely inspired” by my forensic anthropology career. She tends to a be a little intense. To the average person in this job, I’d say, “Just relax, you’re OK.” But then, usually there’s someone trying to kill my character and that’s never happened to me.
Only one close call, sort of. One time when testifying in a murder trial, the prosecutor said, “Come wait in my office, the defendant says he’s going to kill you. And he has in fact killed his girlfriend and cut her up, so if he comes at you, just stay in the witness box”. And I’m thinking, if he comes at me I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m going to dive behind the judge.
As my reputation grew, so did my experiences, which included testifying at the UN Tribunal on Genocide in Rwanda, identifying remains in mass graves in Guatemala, and working at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks. These profound experiences not only honed my expertise but also provided rich material for storytelling. Despite my success in academia and publishing nonfiction books on forensic anthropology, I yearned for a new challenge and a way to reach a wider audience beyond my professional peers.
The inspiration for my first novel, "Déjà Dead," came from a serial murder case I had just concluded. The distinctive knife cut marks left on the victims' bones were crucial in identifying the killer, and this case, along with my accumulated knowledge from my forensic career, provided the foundation for my fiction writing. Everything described in "Déjà Dead" was something I had actually done bringing authenticity to the novel.
My transition to fiction was also motivated by my desire to do something different after achieving full professorship, which gave me the freedom to explore new avenues. Writing fiction allowed me to bring my scientific expertise to a broader audience in an engaging and accessible way.
My first novel was not only a New York Times bestseller but also won the 1997 Ellis Award for Best First Novel, confirming that my decision to venture into fiction was truly well-received.
The character of Dr. Temperance Brennan, the protagonist of my novels, is heavily influenced by my own career. Brennan's experiences as a forensic anthropologist mirrored, although our personal lives differed significantly.
This blending of reality and fiction seemed to captivate my readers, allowing them to get a glimpse into the world of forensic anthropology through thrilling narratives.
I was inspired to write my first novel by my real-life experiences as a forensic anthropologist, involvement in high-profile cases, and ambition to communicate my scientific knowledge to a general audience. My successful transition from academic and nonfiction writer to bestselling novelist was a surprise, at first. I just wanted to create compelling fiction that educates and entertains. This led to the TV Series “Bones” which latest for 13 seasons where my Dr. Temperance Brennan was so well represented by actress -------
Experience is a valuable thing. It enables us to recognize mistakes when we repeat them. While my work touches on the impact of violence, Violence wounds the body and it wounds the soul. Of the predator. Of the prey. Of the mourners. Of collective humanity. It diminishes us all and underscores the far-reaching effects of violent acts.
In my books, my characters often express my wit and wisdom. Phrases like, "Why do all your brilliant ideas involve felonies?" hopefully reflect my humorous side, while also reflecting the darker themes that my work as a forensic anthropologist entails.
My observations extend beyond my professional expertise, delving into the nature of life and death. My line of work makes you aware of the fragility of life. You can get up in the morning, eat your cornflakes, blow-dry your hair, go to work and end up dead. This is a stark reminder of life's unpredictability. Additionally, I believe that Death in anonymity is the ultimate insult to human dignity. Every individual deserves to be remembered and acknowledged.
My personal philosophy is…Channel your outrage... Do that which you are able to do with proactive engagement rather than passive frustration. I've never lost my capacity to be shocked by the world's complexities.
I was 68 when it was time to say goodbye to my job as producer of the Bones series. It was hard. I was there for the final shoot and the wrap party, and all the regulars and a lot of the guest stars we’d had over the years were there. Lots of speeches, lots of selfies, lots of tears. It was emotional. We’d been a family for 13 years, and with that final cut that’s it. We were done, we were through.
Yes, I would have liked it to go on longer and I think a lot of the on-screen talent did, too. But it was time. We’re the longest-running scripted drama in the history of Fox TV network. So, 246 shows, it’s a lot. You want to go out on top.
My 2021 book, Two Nights, A standalone thriller featuring a “tough-talking, scarred heroine named Sunnie, the first that was not part of the Brennan series and introduced a new character. At first, I was just going to write another Temperance Brennan book then said to myself, “Y’know what, it might be a refreshing stimulus to create a new character.”
