Interview With Ann Rule, Author Of Too Late To Say Goodbye - Page 5

People who lose someone they love to murder suffer so much. They never really find "closure," although others like to think they come to a place where they go back to normal. And they face such tight scrutiny that it makes their losses even more painful. Police investigators have to ask personal questions and even look into secret places like diaries, journals, letters, and extra-marital affairs. A murder victim has no privacy, and that seems somehow unfair to me. But it's necessary, too, if the victim is to be avenged, and the killer is to be convicted and locked away from society. In my research, I often find out things that would be embarrassing for the victim and her (his) family, and I choose not to include that information in my books. They would not make the books that much more interesting; it's not worth the hurt it might cause. 

What is the biggest misconception about you?

I don't think it exists so much anymore, but in the beginning I ran into people who expected me to be a tough, news hen who was not touched or saddened about what I wrote about. And I'm just the opposite. Sometimes people write me mean letters saying I'm just writing what I do to make money — and why don't I share my "great wealth" with victims and their families? The fact is that I have shared my profits with many, many victims — particularly children who survive — for 20 years. I have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to them over the years, and I support victims' groups and battered women's shelters financially whenever I am able. I just don't care to talk about it.

Do some of the criminals in your books, especially serial killers, ever try to contact you?

Ann: No, not really. Bundy wrote to me, but then we were friends, so I have about 30-40 witty letters from him, and a few where he was depressed and angry. Most of them have moved on without contacting me. A few have sued me from prison — which surprises some people — but anyone can attempt to sue anyone, even if they are bringing suit from prison, saying their reputations have been damaged. Two convicted killers threatened my life, and I heard about that from inside sources. A lot of convicts write to me, but I can't answer back. I'd prefer not to have my personal information circulated in prisons, although my books are quite popular there. Most of my prison mail is from men who want me to investigate their cases and prove them innocent. I am not in a position to do that — I'm not an investigator.

Article Author: Scott Butki

Scott Butki was a newspaper reporter for more than 10 years before making a career change into education.

He is an in-house media critic, a recovering Tetris addict and a proud uncle.

Visit Scott Butki's author page — Scott Butki's Blog