Sara Winokur is a geneticist, researcher, and author. Her historical fiction and cultural thrillers embody elements of DNA and forensic science, as she has a Ph.D. in molecular genetics. Her research helped identify mutations underlying muscular dystrophy, Huntington’s disease, and dwarfism.
In her Nordic noir novel Double Blind: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders, a young boy disappears from a fjord in Iceland. Years later, his twin sister Brynja, a DNA scientist, searches for him but lands in a world of trouble.
Her second novel, the historical thriller Ivory Bones: The Lewis Chessmen Murders, finds Brynja racing against time to find the valuable medieval chess pieces before she herself becomes the target. Sara is a direct descendent of two of the main historical characters: the ruthless Barbary pirate Jans Janszoon and his son Anthony, the largest landowner in 1600s Brooklyn and Coney Island.
As an ovarian cancer thriver, Sara has a sense of gratitude, strength, and perspective that she extends to family, friends, work, and her writing. On her journey from science to writing, she says:
“Let go of who you are and become what you might be. Do what scares you.”
A mother of three, Sara Winokur resides with her husband and writes in Southern California. That is, when she is not traveling the world in search of unique stories. Discover more on her website.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I was a genetic researcher at the University of California for twenty-five years before becoming an author. When deciding to change course and write novels, I wanted to include some light genetics into the mystery.
Scientists are problem solvers. And so are writers (especially mystery writers). But there’s always this tug-of-war between the right and left brain, between the freedom of creativity and the precision of an analytic approach. So, sometimes they battle it out.
I felt well-equipped to write a mystery involving a forensic geneticist since I understand the science. One of the things I tried to do with this book is make science exciting and accessible as part of the mystery.
Are you more of a fan of plot-driven stories or character-driven stories?
The easy part of the writing process for me is the plot: putting the pieces of the puzzle together. As a scientist, that comes naturally. But most important, the characters – their emotions, their reactions, their desires – have to ring true and relatable. We don’t necessarily need to like teach character but we must connect with them in one way or another.
Fill in the blank: “People will like your book if they like stories about…”
Historical mysteries. I’ve always been a passionate reader and writer. I love historical fiction and international thrillers. Perhaps what I enjoy most about them is that I learn something new in a fun and engaging way. I imagine many of my readers feel the same way.
How do you name your characters?
My books are primarily set in Iceland, which has patronymic (and sometimes matronymic) tradition, rather than using family surnames like in many Western countries. A person’s last name is derived from their father’s (or mother’s) first name, rather than a family surname.
Iceland has strict laws on what names can be used and they even have an Icelandic Naming Committee! I tried to come up with character names that would be somewhat familiar to other countries (such as Ari, Stefan, Greta) but that also conformed to Icelandic standards. Interestingly, Icelanders address each other by first name even in formal settings and their phone books are sorted by first names, not last names!
What is your favorite website that you use to promote your writing?
My own www.sarawinokur.com.
If Hollywood bought the rights to your book, would you want it to be turned into a movie or series?
BlueInk gave my first book Double Blind: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders a Notable Book Starred Review, writing:
“It’s enticing to compare this fine, galloping murder mystery to the late Swedish author Stieg Larsson’s Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, but that would be a disservice to Winokur’s compelling debut. There’s one similarity with Larsson’s books: This would make a terrific movie.”
I did not request a review from BlueInk for Ivory Bones, but I hope they would have the same opinion for the second in the series. Many readers have told me that they can visualize my novels as they unfold, as if they are actually seeing a movie.
Who is your dream audiobook narrator?
I am currently working on the audio version of my book with a fantastic narrator Cassandra Campbell at Verity Productions. She is able to capture the spirit and speak the truth of my characters in a way that makes them leap off the page.
What are your passions/obsessions outside of writing?
I have always enjoyed travelling and immersing myself in the culture of other countries.
They inspire much of my writing. However, I’ve had quite a few perilous but memorable experiences.
While on a low budget safari camping in Botswana, I had taken along some guava fruit and foolishly left them in the tent while sleeping. In the early morning, I heard a ‘whoosh, whoosh’ against the tent flaps, looked up into the full moon, and saw a massive looming shadow- an elephant! Didn’t know whether to move or lie still. . .fortunately, the elephant moved on.
Another time, I went snowmobiling in Iceland and got caught in a blizzard. I tipped the snowmobile in the total whiteout. It was a long time before the group realized I had been left behind. But. . .no problem, Iceland has best search and rescue team in the world.
And once I took an overnight train from St. Petersburg to Moscow. The train was delayed, arriving in Moscow at 2am. The car transport from the hotel was nowhere to be seen. Panic ensued. . . no taxis, no cell phone service.
A man in a black Cadillac waved me over. He took a thirty minute detour on the outskirts of town past empty fields, metal fences, and abandoned homes. I was sure I’d be shot and my three young children would never know what happened to me. But, all’s well that ends well. He arrived at the hotel and bid me a cheerful “Proshchay.”
Who would you most want to read your book?
Baltasar Kormákur, the Icelandic filmmaker, producer, and actor known for his work focusing on survival, adventure, and intense human drama. His films include 101 Reykjavík, The Deep, Everest, Adrift, and Beast. I’d love for him to direct and produce adaptations of my novels set in Iceland. Baltasar, are you there?
Is there a book that somebody gave to you that helped you pave the way to becoming a writer, or is there a book on writing that you recommend all writers read?
I highly recommend On Writing by Stephen King. Even though I don’t particularly like his genre, he has great advice.
“Read and write a lot.”
‘Write every day.”
“Take criticism, but trust yourself.”
“Avoid adverbs.”
“Don’t waste time on excuses.”
Have you ever gone away to work on a piece of writing? If not, where would you go if you could?
As an author writing about a different country from my own, I felt it was extremely important to understand Icelandic culture. Therefore, I’ve been to Iceland many times and have written a good portion of my books while in the country.
I am enamored by the great spirit of Icelanders. They are a creative, hard-working, and resilient people. A central theme of my books is that of perseverance, of never giving up.
Imagine sailing over a thousand miles in wooden boats across the open seas from Norway to Iceland in the 10th century and learning to survive surviving in an inhospitable landscape. I figured if they could do that, I could certainly take on a new challenge and write novels.
Icelanders also love to have a good time. I have incorporated much of their culture and history in my books, everything from eating fermented shark to listing people by first name in the telephone book to the dating app informing users how closely related they are so that you don’t stumble home from the bar with your second or third cousin (most of its 370,000 people are descended from the same Viking settlers).
How do you measure the success of your writing career?
Personal satisfaction. Of course, authors can’t help but read reviews and relish the positive ones. But I find that any critique is welcome – honest feedback helps authors understand and respect the opinions of their readers!
Author links
Links will open in a new tab.
Buy it!
Buy a copy of Sara Winokur’s books here, and help support local bookstores! These are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
Pin it!
