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I write to express myself, to get
things accurate in diaries for future reference, and I write novels
because they flow easily from my pen and I am always surprised how
they fit together like a puzzle. When I am writing a novel, I am
actually living in that time and place in my head, and I find it
endlessly entertaining. 
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Books-and-Authors.net: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why? WENDY BARTLETT: I grew up in California until I was fourteen when my family moved to London, England. I wrote diaries from the age of twelve. I wrote poems and songs from an early age. I also drew and painted my family and things I saw before me. We always had many books in our house. Jack London was my earliest influence in California at the age of twelve because in White Fang and The Call of the Wild he described how the warm blood of an animal tasted to the wolf after he’d killed it. It was amazing to me how I felt when reading that. I think at that moment a reader was born.
Books-and-Authors.net: Why do you write? WENDY BARTLETT: I write to express myself, to get things accurate in diaries for future reference, and I write novels because they flow easily from my pen and I am always surprised how they fit together like a puzzle. When I am writing a novel, I am actually living in that time and place in my head, and I find it endlessly entertaining.
Books-and-Authors.net: Tell us about your new book CELLINI'S REVENGE: The Mystery of the Silver Cups - Where did the idea for this book come from? WENDY BARTLETT: This novel just began in my writers’ group one day with a “free write.” I had no idea what I was going to write, and I was very surprised that it turned into a murder mystery. I truly love to let the muse take over and see where it takes me! This book won a prize, Runner-Up, at the 2007 San Francisco Writers Conference for fiction. After that, I thought I would REALLY make it good, so I spent another two years adding the historical story of the silver cups. Again, I had no idea what would come out of my brain and my pen, but I am very pleased with the tiny historical stories that entwine with the murder mystery and join together at the end for the solution.
Books-and-Authors.net: The settings in CELLINI'S REVENGE: The Mystery of the Silver Cups, really make this book very original and interesting - Briefly discuss your settings and how you researched., WENDY BARTLETT: There are three basic settings: England, Vermont and Italy in 1527. I lived in England for thirteen years starting in 1956 and wanted a setting on the coast. I was brought up on the beach in Malibu and it was very influential in my young years. I settled on Rottingdean because it is only four miles from Brighton and I needed David to work in the newspaper district of London in the era 1956. I choose Vermont because I know Brattleboro quite well and have lived there briefly for several years. I choose Italy in 1527 because I had read The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini and I had also been to Italy on several trips and had a good feeling for it, particularly its antiquity. I majored in Art History at the University of California, Berkeley.
Books-and-Authors.net: Who was Benvenuto Cellini? WENDY BARTLETT: Benvenuto Cellini was a very famous silversmith and sculptor in Italy in the early part of the 16th century who created powerful and beautiful creations, large and small. He led quite a wild existence and wrote his autobiography. I invented the twelve silver cups that star in my story. I do know of one silver cup that Cellini is supposed to have made for the d’Este family in reality. By the way, the “c” in his name should sound like “ch.”
Books-and-Authors.net:Tell us about your novel BROAD REACH. WENDY BARTLETT: Broad Reach is a romance and adventure novel about a woman, 43, who goes cruising on a yacht around the world with a handsome British stranger. At first, down the coast of California, it is sexy, fun, free and wonderful beyond her wildest dreams. Then they turn right at San Diego and head out towards Tahiti and Fiji. That is when the story heats up. I have sailed in Tahiti, Fiji and Samoa, so I knew how to write about these places in this novel.,
Books-and-Authors.net: If Hollywood called and asked you to cast CELLINI'S: REVENGE: The Mystery of the Silver Cups, who would you select to play the parts and why? WENDY BARTLETT: I have been told often that this novel would make a great movie. I agree. I saw it like that as I wrote it. I saw Judy Dench in one part and Maggie Smith in another. But if it were to be filmed now, perhaps by the time it would be out, these actors would be too old to represent the characters who are in their sixties. In this case, perhaps Meryl Streep could play Catherine, the heroine, or else Susan Sarandon; perhaps Diane Keaton. I didn’t know who might play Christopher, but friends I know suggested Bob Hoskins, or maybe Gary Oldman. An English woman I know suggested Jude Law for Christopher, but I imagine Christopher slightly chubby. Jude Law looks slim and handsome. However, it could be done. For David, maybe Ben Barnes. For the younger Catherine, perhaps Jessica Biel. But really, I think people more British film actor literate would make better choices.
Books-and-Authors.net: What are readers saying about CELLINI'S REVENGE? WENDY BARTLETT: Just today someone said to a friend of mine that she cried at the end. Now THAT is a good story, and pleases me a lot. I like my readers to get involved! In general, people seem to have really loved this story. I was really delighted and surprised with the responses. Below are a few excerpts from my Amazon reviews for this book:, Great Mystery!!, Joyce M. Gilmore says:, Having lived in England herself, Ms. Bartlett is able to take us right into the setting with her vivid descriptions. Her knowledge of England comes through beautifully. Wendy Bartlett does a wonderful job of tying the two stories together. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this mystery, and it kept me wondering to the very end of the book., Enjoyable read, Happy Traveler says:, The interweaving of the past and present keep this story interesting and kept my attention and curiosity to the end. I especially enjoyed the historical back-story. I judge a book by how much it makes me want to find out more, and this book certainly did that. This book is a wonderful read!, Very Interesting Mystery/Historical Fiction, Alison Pickrell says:, The author has constructed a well-plotted mystery using DNA, astrology and old-fashioned sleuthing to discover the truth about David's death and the destiny of the silver cups. Well done., Fun Read, Interesting Twists, By, C. Sweeney, The plot was intriguing, the characters interesting and colorful, the settings atmospheric... A fun, well constructed tale., Wendy Bartlett Writes Another Winner, By, Mary Greenwood, Bartlett has perfected a literary style that keeps you guessing until the last page. It is a real page turner., I recommend this book for those who love mysteries, for those who love historical fiction, and for those who love England and Italy. I can't wait for her next book., Good fun romp through countries and ages, Tom Gilb says:, This book had detail that kept my attention to the end and I enjoyed its variety and interesting twists. I like a good mystery yarn and detail about history and various countries.,
Books-and-Authors.net: What do you hope to achieve with your books? WENDY BARTLETT: I love to share my stories with people. I like to write enduring literature. I think I have the ability to tell a great tale, and I just love to write. It is like one giant puzzle, even to me.
Books-and-Authors.net: What was the last book you read? WENDY BARTLETT: I am reading A Mercy by Toni Morrison at present. Before that I read two Ian Pears novels: An Instance at the Fingerpost and Stone’s Fall.
Books-and-Authors.net: What's next? WENDY BARTLETT: I am writing an exciting sequel to Cellini’s Revenge. I have also completed my Memoir. I am toying with the idea of publishing several more completed novels which I have written.
Books-and-Authors.net: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing? WENDY BARTLETT: I am a world traveler, a song writer and a watercolor painter. I also love photography, especially artistic subject matter. Traveling gives me lots of ideas for short stories and I often paint and draw along the way. Just being able to jump up and sing with a microphone and the guitar has allowed me to experience life from the stage, and that helps when I am conducting my readings. I have always loved to read novels. It really developed deeply when I went to live in London at the age of fourteen and was introduced to The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot. After that came Dickens and Great Expectations. Then came a flood of novels and this tree-climbing Californian became an English girl reading in a cozy chair by the fire in London.
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