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Mystery Most Cozy Interviews Leann Sweeney

Leann, I was a fan even before you began your Cats in Trouble series, so this is special to interview you for MMC.

Mystery Most Cozy is celebrating their tenth anniversary.  What is your favorite thing about the group: reader interaction, fan support, being able to connect with fellow authors or what and why?

I believe Mystery Most Cozy has always been so wonderful for reader interaction and fan support.

When and how did you discover the Mystery Most Cozy group?

I searched for groups a long time ago that brought together those who love the cozy genre and I joined as soon as I found this group. I’ll be a member as long as the group continues!

How did you know you were meant to write?

I started writing mysteries when I was in the 4th grade so I believe I was always meant to write. It just took me a long time to get up the courage to learn what I needed to know to create a coherent story and to get published. It’s tough putting your work out for criticism and rejection, but I survived and persisted.

What fascinates you about mysteries?

I love puzzles and I love human motivation. What makes a person a killer? What puts a person in harm’s way? I always look at mysteries from both sides of that equation. I do like a juicy secret.

What inspired you to write your mysteries?

First it was Dame Agatha. But then, I think the first truly awful mystery I read was the final motivation, as strange as that may sound. I thought, “If this can get published, then I can do better.” Of course I was quickly humbled by the gigantic learning curve involved in becoming a published writer. It took eleven years from the time I finished my first book to its publication. That’s persistence!

What intrigues you about writing a series?

I love making sure that my characters grow from each crime they become involved in. In reality, no ordinary person would find he or she stumbling over one murder victim after another, but oh, the fun. But I have to bring a touch of reality and that means, character evolution.

What is the most challenging facet of writing for you?

For me, unfortunately, it is the challenge of the several “invisible” illnesses I deal with on a daily basis. That means I need to manage my time and energy. Who knew the complexities of creating something out of nothing? That a “what if?” question would consume so much energy? But it does.

What do you enjoy reading?

At this stage, I only read mysteries and an occasionally true crime. I don’t have time for anything else.

Which authors have influenced you?

Agatha Christie, Rex Stout, Earl Stanley Gardner, Dorothy Sayers, Gillian Roberts, Carolyn Hart, P.D. James, Elizabeth George, Ruth Rendell—but there are more. I could go on and on!

How much of a story do you have in mind when you begin a new book?

I begin a new book with a synopsis—I am an outliner—so the start of a synopsis is always a “what if” question. For example, I began the synopsis of my first Cats in Trouble mystery with the “what if?” question “What if a cat was allergic to people?” I like to turn things on their head and that was something I hadn’t seen done in any cat cozies before.

Part of the magic of writing is creating memorable characters. Who are your favorite characters, why, and which of your mysteries feature them?

I love Abby Rose in my Yellow Rose Mysteries. She is completely fearless, confident and fun. I love Jillian Hart in the Cats in Trouble Mysteries because she is so kind, forgiving and curious—rather like a cat in many ways. Speaking of secondary characters, I loved Ritaestelle in The Cat, The Lady and The Liar. She is such a strong lady. I also admire teenager Finn in The Cat, The Wife and The Weapon. He chose to remove himself from a difficult life at a young age. I can relate to that and it was the first time I consciously dealt with family dysfunction in a book. I’d done it before on a smaller scale, but in that book, my goal was to confront it head on. It was very cathartic.

What would you like to say to your readers & fans?

I cannot thank my readers enough for their support and for helping me make that coveted NY Times list. Never in a million years when I first started writing did I ever think that would happen. And twice? Wow! Thank you so so much!

What advice would you offer a beginning writer?

Learn your craft. Read. Take classes. Enter contests. Submit. Learn to accept criticism and change what you’re doing that’s NOT working—listen to what is being said. Find a writer’s group with like-minded people who are writing what you like to read. Know your goals. Do you want to write for pleasure? Or do you want to be published? Neither goal is better than the other. Persist!

What do you enjoy most about being an author & what drives you crazy?

I enjoy creating characters others can relate to. DEADLINES drive me crazy.

If you could meet three people (living or dead) and chat mysteries with them, who would you select?  What would you discuss?

I would choose Agatha Chistie because she was brilliant, but I doubt she’d talk about her process. I would choose Rex Stout because I absolutely loved the fact he created a main character who was NOT the narrator (Archie Goodwin was the narrator) and I want to ask him why he did that. Third would be Daphne DuMaurier. I’d ask her what the main character’s name was in Rebecca. It’s a secret we will never know. J

Do you like a touch of romance woven into your mysteries?  Do you add it into your own stories?

 

Yes. But the mystery has to be paramount. I do add romance. It’s part of life, after all!

What are your favorite “writing” clothes?

Jeans and a t-shirt.

As author you create magic offering readers an escape into your story.  As you write how deeply do you submerge into your own characters, setting and plot? Do you dream any of your scenes?

I don’t submerge, I observe. I ask myself, what does s/he look like? Sound like? What secret is s/he keeping? What’s his/her greatest strength and greatest weakness? What does s/he want? What’s stopping him/her?I never dream about scenes, but right before I go to sleep or right when I wake up, I often work through plot issues. The shower seems to be another hotbed of creativity! J

Why did you choose cozy rather than thrillers, intrigue or true crime?

It was what I wrote best, probably because it’s the genre I grew up reading.

 Can you read cozies while writing? Or do they influence your own too much?

I cannot read cozies while writing. They influence me too much. I read much darker stuff, but still mystery or thrillers.

Do you feel you must write your cozies in a series? If so,why?

 Yes, because cozies need the luxury of time. The books are shorter than say a thriller or literary mystery. In cozies, characterization develops over time as I mentioned earlier. My story people are affected by the crimes in their small town. (Although my Yellow Rose Mysteries were set in an urban environment, which I thought made them a little different).

What are you writing now?

I just finished the 5th Cats in Trouble book. I am thinking about the 6th book in the series.

Tell us about your newest mystery:

 The Cat, The Mill and The Murder comes out in May. I can tell you that it the most researched book I have ever written, it involves a cold case and it also involves an element that is very different than anything I have ever written before.

 Where can we find out more about you and your books?

 I’m on Facebook as Leann Sweeney and Author Leann Sweeney, on twitter @leannsweeney, on Author Central on Amazon and my website is www.leannsweeney.com

There are bios on each book you pull up on B&N.com and Amazon.com

Visit Mystery Most Cozy to find out how to enter the drawing for one of her mysteries.

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Mystery Most Cozy Interviews Cathy Ace

Cathy, I’m so pleased we could squeeze you into our interview schedule before the celebration ends next week.

2cathy

Hello there Fellow MMC-ers…it’s great to have this chance to talk to you all, but I have to admit it’s a bit scary too. Here goes anyway!

Mystery Most Cozy is celebrating their tenth anniversary.  What is your favorite thing about the group: reader interaction, fan support, being able to connect with fellow authors or what and why?

I’ve really enjoyed reading the comments and input that folks take the time to put up on the FB page: I like finding out what it is that readers take to and, sometimes, what they don’t care for so much. For example, it’s nice to know that I’m not alone in being bugged by un-resolved red-herrings!

When and how did you discover the Mystery Most Cozy group?

I’m a newbie! I only discovered MMC last year, but I’m so glad I did. I found it on one of my wanders through the online universe…somehow!

How did you know you were meant to write?

To be honest, I think I was born to talk…but writing allows me to chat with others in a different way, even if the people I’m talking to, or through, are those I’ve created myself! That said (you see?!), I was always a child who enjoyed journeying in the worlds made real for me by writers. I suppose I wanted to try to do what they had done. I was fortunate enough to have the chance to study English at University, and did so for a year, but then decided that instead of studying how others had described the human condition, I’d rather gain a better understanding of it for myself, so I switched my studies to psychology.

What fascinates you about mysteries?

I’m naturally very solution-orientated: give me a problem or a puzzle and my instinct is to come up with the answer. Whatever the sub-genre, all mysteries are about puzzles…solving them is what draws me in.

What is the most challenging facet of writing for you?

I wish I could type as fast as the words come into my head. I’m the classic three-fingered typist: I never had lessons, I just hammered away at the keyboard and got faster as time passed. I can’t touch-type: I have to look at the keys as I go, so the screen isn’t a part of my writing experience, until I look up to see the typing mistakes I’ve made. Maybe that’s a good thing: it means I have to read what I’ve written straight away, put the punctuation right as I go along, and I have the chance to reflect on sentences as I build them.

What do you enjoy reading?

I’m a very mood-driven reader: I read widely, but often have two or three books on the go at once, so I can pick up something light or dark, factual or fiction, as the mood takes me. I have a room full of books, which is where I write, and every other room in the house also has a bookshelf, or three! If you looked at what’s on my shelves you’d find pretty much every subject and genre covered, but what would really stand out would be my dozens of red and gold, leather-bound volumes of Agatha Christie’s complete works, into which I enjoy dipping – whatever my mood.

Which authors have influenced you?

Agatha Christie’s works have been a part of my life since I was ten years old, so her structure and plots, as well as her ability to mould our expectations of what a traditional murder mystery should be, are engrained in my psyche. I admire the way she made the rules, then went on to give us what we expected, in unexpected ways. I try to do the same. In my chosen genre, amongst living authors, I would say that PD James inspires me the most, and I always look forward to a new Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Peter Robinson, Tamar Myers or Louise Penny. I’m especially sad that there won’t be any new books from Reginald Hill, Robert B Parker or Tony Hillerman, but am glad I can re-read their work at will.

How much of a story do you have in mind when you begin a new book?

I’m not just one of life’s problem-solvers, I’m also highly goal-oriented and process driven (okay then, I’m a bit of a control freak!), so I know pretty much all my story before I begin writing.

I prepare very detailed notes about my characters – their entire life-history, my chosen, or imagined, locations, and about the method/s and means of murder I have chosen. Even though Cait isn’t a forensics person, and I certainly don’t write about forensics, I need to know how a body would present under certain circumstances, or how the means of murder work/s in minute detail. I’ll spend time talking to medical specialists, coroners or cops, amongst others, to make sure I get this right.

I also have the outline of what needs to happen within each chapter. Quite often a character will say or do something I’m not expecting – yes, I know that sounds nuts but, honestly, it’s how it happens. So, sometimes, I achieve what I need to happen in a chapter, but in an unexpected way.

When I’m writing, so long as I feel the characters are acting in a way that would be right for them, and the book, I let it play out. That means I update my outline notes as I go along, so that I remember all the clues and red-herrings I have to tie up!

Part of the magic of writing is creating memorable characters. Who are your favorite characters, why, and which of your mysteries feature them?

My protagonist, criminology professor Cait Morgan, is very much like me: she’s my height, my weight (or thereabouts – there are some things you really don’t need to know about me!) is Welsh-Canadian, had the education I had, where I had it, and, up to a point, she followed a similar career path to myself. Do I like her? Absolutely. Is she perfect? Oh, good heavens, no! But that’s why I like her. Brilliant, judgmental, sharp-tongued and over-indulgent, she’s still quite insecure. In other words, she’s very human. Bearing in mind that the series is called the “Cait Morgan Mysteries” you can bet she’ll be in each one. Truthfully, I enjoy all my characters, however small their role, or rotten they might be. But as for “memorable”? Well, that’s something that only those who’ve read my books can comment upon.

What would you like to say to your readers & fans?

“Thank You for choosing to include my books, and Cait Morgan, in your life. I hope you enjoy her company as much as I do!”

What advice would you offer a beginning writer?

This is a tough one. Other than the general advice that, in order to be a writer you have to actually write, rather than just thinking or talking about writing, I’m not sure I’m well placed to give much advice. I’ve had a bizarre path to being published, and I’ve been fortunate, I know.

There are lots of platitudes about “The harder you work, the luckier you get”, but I honestly believe that, with the work under your belt, there is a certain amount of luck involved in things. Maybe it’s about being prepared to step up and take a risk, which then becomes an opportunity. If you’re working on your writing skills, reading as widely as possible (and I don’t just mean reading books about writing, but books that challenge you and help you understand the way that words work well on the page) then you are better prepared when the opportunities come along.

So: write lots, read even more, and good luck!

I’m sorry if that’s not very constructive or original, but I suspect it’s the best advice I’ve got.

What do you enjoy most about being an author & what drives you crazy?

I’m delighted to say that I haven’t (yet) found anything about being an author that drives me crazy, in fact, just saying or writing the words “I’m an author” makes me glow with joy. There – I’m glowing right now!

As for what I enjoy the most? When I’ve been weeding or planting in the garden all day, aided and abetted by the dogs of course, and I’ve been plotting: multi-tasking at its best!

If you could meet three people (living or dead) and chat mysteries with them, who would you select?  What would you discuss?

1)   Agatha Christie – I’m not sure I’d have the guts to discuss mysteries with her, but I’d enjoy listening to her talking about her time with her second husband, Max Mallowan, on his archeological digs. I enjoy ancient cultures, history, art, gardening and family, as did she, so I might find something I could contribute to the conversation.

2)   Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – again, it’s a bit of an alarming prospect to discuss plotting and deductive reasoning with the man who made these elements his byword, but I’d take a chance! I’d be fascinated to get his take on the technology that now surrounds us in our daily lives.

3)   PD James – I adore her books: the places and people she creates are real to me, and will live with me forever. That’s magic! Over the years she’s generously given many interviews and written a great deal about her writing process, so I think I’d take the chance to talk to her about what she’s read and how it’s touched her, find out what her private passions might be, walk through London with her discussing art and architecture, and find out more about what makes her the person she is, which, of course, is what makes her the writer she is.

What are your favorite “writing” clothes?

Oh dear, this is a bit weird, but I’ll confess all: I wrote my first novel wearing a silk dressing gown that’s heavily embroidered with dragons. I know. How pretentious, right!? But it was fun! I also had a chocolate Labrador on each foot – puppy slippers. That was “winter writing”. For “summer writing” I tend to wear light, comfy clothes, and the dogs lay on the tile in the hallway outside my study to keep cool.

As an author you create magic, offering readers an escape into your story.  As you write how deeply do you submerge into your own characters, setting and plot? Do you dream any of your scenes?

When writing, I am each of my characters in turn, in situ. Total immersion. I move, turn, “look” about at my surroundings, make gestures…the lot. I dare say that, if anyone could see me, they’d think it a bit peculiar. Before I start writing I’ve “seen” the entire movie of the book. When I’m writing, I’m in that movie, trying my best to get onto paper everything that Cait sees, feels, hears, touches, smells, says, thinks and, yes, senses or suspects. The Cait Morgan Mysteries are written from Cait’s point of view, so that’s who I am when I write. I haven’t dreamed any scenes yet, but, in that fog between sleeping and wakefulness, I’ll often be visualizing the movie in my head and something will shift or come into focus…a detail, a clue or an extra complication will present itself to me: that’s when I have to get up and write it down. So long as I don’t disturb the dog on the bed when I get up, I can creep back when I’m done and get off to sleep. If the dog wakes up, then that’s quite a different matter!

Can you read cozies while writing? Or do they influence your own too much?

I can’t read any books at all when I’m writing. Even if I’m watching TV, I know that what’s on the screen is pretty much just washing over me. I’m totally zoned out – or zoned in, depending on your point of view.

What are you writing now?

I’m on the cusp between finished style sheets and outlines, and starting to write my third novel. It will be published in Spring 2014. It’s set in Mexico. I’m not allowed to say more than that right now, but I can tell you that it will pick up where my second novel finishes…oh, and I’ve really enjoyed the research!

Tell us about your newest mystery:

My second Cait Morgan Mystery, “The Corpse with the Golden Nose”, will be launched in March 2013. It picks up Cait’s life a few months after the end of my first novel, “The Corpse with the Silver Tongue”. Here are the jacket notes for the book:

“A world-famous vintner is dead. And when a heartfelt plea to look into the matter is paired with an exclusive gourmet event in British Columbia’s stunning wine country, overindulgent foodie and criminologist Cait Morgan cannot resist. Cait is sure the owner of a family-run vineyard was murdered. Bud Anderson, Cait’s companion for the weekend, is convinced the woman took her own life. That is, until death strikes once again, between the neat rows of grapevines on the banks of magnificent Lake Okanagan. Uncovering obsessions and murderous thoughts among the victim’s wacky neighbors is a start. But, Cait soon realizes that more lives are at stake. Can she think, and act, quickly enough to prevent another death?

The second book in the Cait Morgan Mysteries, The Corpse with the Golden Nose is a classic whodunit featuring the eccentric Professor Cait Morgan.

Praise for The Corpse with the Silver Tongue

 

“[A] smooth debut . . . Cait’s enjoyable first outing should earn

her a well-deserved encore.” —Publishers Weekly

“In the finest tradition of Agatha Christie, debut author Ace

brings us the closed-room drama, with a dollop of romantic

suspense and historical intrigue.” —Library Journal

“[Ace is] a writer to watch.” —The Globe and Mail

“A sharply paced cozy.” —The Hamilton Spectator”

Where can we find out more about you and your books?

You can find out more about my books, click-through to read from/buy them, read some interviews I’ve given in the past, learn about events I’ll be attending, and find my e-mail address, at: www.cathyace.com

The Cait Morgan Mysteries are available in paperback through your local bookstore or library, and are offered in every major e-reader format.

Please consider being my Friend on Facebook? You’ll find me here: Cathy Ace (Cait Morgan Mysteries)

Alternatively, you could Follow me on Twitter: @AceCathy

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Visit Mystery Most Cozy to find out how to enter the drawing for one of her mysteries.

MYSTERY MOST COZY links:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/188620978695/?fref=ts

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Mystery Most Cozy Interviews Esri Allbritten

Hello, Esri!  It’s so nice to have you join our MMC interviews.

Mystery Most Cozy is celebrating its tenth anniversary.  What is your favorite thing about the group: reader interaction, fan support, being able to connect with fellow authors or what and why?

Reader interaction. Some of the best recommendations on what to read next have come from this group. It also has a mellow yet polite vibe, which I credit to its creator, Jenny Hanahan. She has just the right amount of housemother.

When and how did you discover the Mystery Most Cozy group?

Oh, gosh. Two or three years ago. It may be longer. I’m no good with time.

How did you know you were meant to write?

[Fellow author] Steve Hockensmith and I discussed this, and agreed it was because we’re “slightly crazy, very spoiled, and terrible at all other jobs.” This is only slightly exaggerated.

What fascinates you about mysteries?

Crime almost always stems from strong emotions. Fear, anger, protectiveness. People dealing with that kind of pressure behave in extraordinary ways, and nothing is more interesting than the extraordinary.

What inspired you to write your mysteries?

It’s funny…even though mysteries are almost the only fiction I read, I wrote and published other things first because the form intimidated me. Eventually I realized that while mysteries are rigorous when it comes to plot, there is actually more freedom than in a lot of other genres. You can have romance or not, you can explore any theme and set your story in any time period. Your characters don’t even have to be particularly likeable. Sherlock Holmes is a riveting character, but you wouldn’t invite him to your wedding.

What intrigues you about writing a series?

I love layering my characters’ personalities and including subtle references to past stories. It’s like on TV, when a fleeting reference to something in the past elicits a pained expression on a character’s face. It won’t mean anything to a first-time viewer, but those of us in the know howl with laughter or wince with sympathy.

What is the most challenging facet of writing for you?

Writing fast. I have trouble writing anything if I’m not excited about what comes next. This is a stupid mental block, because I love revising. My number one goal is to learn to be okay with writing crap. Crap can always be improved. Or deleted.

What do you enjoy reading?

Humor, historical mysteries, biographies (Thomas Edison, Houdini, Louis Armstrong, Josephine Baker), neuroscience, stories of scams and con men, and those books that go into the surprising history of everyday objects, like salt or eggbeaters.

Which authors have influenced you?

Betty MacDonald, Dave Barry, Terry Pratchett, M.C. Beaton.

How much of a story do you have in mind when you begin a new book?

I have a complete story arc when I begin, but 50 to 100 pages in, I discover that I need more to carry a whole book, or the action happens mostly in the backstory, and I have to rework the whole thing. This happens with every book. Every. Book.

Part of the magic of writing is creating memorable characters. Who are your favorite characters, why, and which of your mysteries feature them?

I love my three sleuths in the Tripping series. Having an ensemble of protagonists gives me more options with dialogue and plotting, and I hope it gives readers more of a chance to find a character they love. Angus MacGregor has the perspective of age when it comes to dealing with people, but age hasn’t stopped him from dreaming big. He wants to achieve fame by finding proof of the supernatural. Michael Abernathy is young and manages to be both a cynic and idealist. That’s not a comfortable mindset, and he uses sarcasm and humor to deal with his discomfort. Then there’s Suki Oota, my half-Japanese photographer. Suki is very female in that she just wants to get whatever it is done and move forward. Some of this urgency comes from knowing that youth and beauty are temporary assets, and they’re burning a hole in her pocket. No one would call Suki a “good girl.” Not if they wanted to keep their teeth.

What would you like to say to your readers & fans?

Thank you so much!

What advice would you offer a beginning writer?

Write because you enjoy it (or because you can’t help yourself, which is more often the case). If you want to be a career writer, ask yourself, “Can I tolerate uncertainty about my success?” Writing is full of uncertainty. It’s hard to tell when you’re writing well. Financial validation is elusive, and you’ll get bad reviews even on your best stuff. The best overall advice I can give is to approach writing as a really involving hobby. You’ll dodge a lot of mental bullets that way.

What do you enjoy most about being an author & what drives you crazy?

The best moments are when I look at something I’ve written and know that it illustrates something funny and true about being human. When that’s confirmed through fan email, I’m overjoyed. I also like that I get to finish things. With so many jobs, you don’t get to say, “Done!” Finally, I have a lot of creative control over what I do, there’s no dress code, and I can put up all the inappropriate cartoons I want.

Things that drive me crazy: The aforementioned uncertainty. Did I tell this story in the most interesting way possible? Have I found the sweet spot where my work is different enough to be appealing, but not so different that only a few people like it? How do I get the attention of those readers who will enjoy me the most? The isolation of working at home can also make you a little odd. My office mates are a Chihuahua and a cat. I love them, but they don’t like to eat out and they suck at discussing the latest episode of The Good Wife.

Do you like a touch of romance woven into your mysteries?  Do you add it into your own stories?

I don’t include romance in my stories, and that’s primarily because I approach life from a very irreverent place. My stories aren’t hospitable to romance in the same way that a Seinfeld episode or an Oscar Wilde play isn’t hospitable to romance. Putting romance in that setting is like tying a pink ribbon around a rubber chicken. It’s jarring. As for romance in other people’s mysteries, I can take it or leave it. Romance is very hard to write well. It’s rare that I really feel it in a book.

What are your favorite “writing” clothes?

Whatever I pick up off the floor that’s loose and doesn’t smell. Sad, I know.

As author you create magic, offering readers an escape into your story.  As you write how deeply do you submerge into your own characters, setting and plot? Do you dream any of your scenes?

Dreams would be a great resource if I wanted to write about overflowing toilets and missed planes, but I think Seth Rogen has that market sewn up. As for how deeply I get into my own fictional worlds, it’s pretty deep. When writing is going well, stopping is like coming out of a movie theater in the middle of the day. Another thing that makes my stories feel real to me is that I set each one in a different tourist town. My husband and I visit, take a ton of pictures and chat up the locals, then I go home and send my sleuths there on assignment. In a way, each book is a record of the emails and phone calls my characters might send from the road. “Interviews going well. Got a picture of a flying saucer, which turned out to be a water tower. Mayor has a crush on Suki. We think he might be a murderer.”

Why did you choose cozy rather than thrillers, intrigue or true crime?

I’m not sure what qualifies as intrigue. It sounds intriguing. I write cozies because they study the subtleties of human interaction. That’s something women are good at, and doubtless it’s why so many cozies incorporate other feminine interests, such as cooking, crafts, and tiny, adorable dogs. I currently have an idea for a series that feels like it needs a harder edge, maybe sort of a noir thing. I think noir is how men see the subtleties of human interaction – murky, confusing, full of traps and unexpected weapons. As a writer, I’m kind of in the middle. Chihuahua noir, that’s me.

Can you read cozies while writing? Or do they influence your own work too much?

As long as the subject matter is different, I’m good. My own voice is so ingrained these days, I’m not influenced.

Do you feel you must write your cozies in a series? If so, why?

I think series are far more satisfying. Readers go to a fair amount of trouble to find books with characters and settings that they like. Once you’ve spent the time and money to find this new set of friends, you want to get some mileage out of them.

What are you writing now?

Critter from the Black Lagoon, book three in the Tripping Magazine mystery series. It involves the possibility of a prehistoric pig beast rampaging through Florida’s Ocala National Forest. It’s basically black-market paleontology meets extreme bacon.

Tell us about your newest mystery:

My most recently published is The Portrait of Doreene Gray. Portrait is about twin sisters in their fifties: one a painter, one a dissolute jet setter. The jet setter doesn’t appear to age, but the portrait her sister painted of her does. The story takes place in Port Townsend, Washington, on Puget Sound. The town’s frozen-in-time Victorian character lends itself to a nice gothic feel. It could have been a very dark book, but my three sleuths come barreling in like the Marx Brothers if the Marx Brothers were an aging Scot, a half-Asian sexpot, and a skeptic, working for a crappy travel magazine.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?

EsriAllbritten.com has big ol’ excerpts of all my current books, so you can try before you buy. If you want an ongoing look at the life of a writer, mostly involving pets and procrastination, then look me up on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Esri.Allbritten

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Mystery Most Cozy Interviews Betty Webb

by Karen E. Rigley

Hello, Betty. It’s a delight to interview you for MMC. You have quite a knack for entertaining your readers, so now we get to grill you. 😉

Mystery Most Cozy is celebrating their tenth anniversary.  What is your favorite thing about the group: reader interaction, fan support, being able to connect with fellow authors or what and why?

Well, let’s face it, we cozy writers are generally unwelcome on sites dealing with major explosives and serial killers, so it’s nice to be able to hang out with other folks of the cozy persuasion. You know, we authors who write about “gentle” killers, the polite killers who don’t splatter too much blood around because it’s so difficult for the maid to clean up. There’s the camaraderie, of course, and the promotion tips. But more than anything, MMC is simply a wonderful living room to hang out in. You never know who’s going to show up with chips n’ dip – or a blunt instrument.

How did you know you were meant to write?

I wrote my first book at the age of 14 – it was 100 pages long, and I was devastated when no one would publish it. Ironically, that little book was titled “Desert Mane,” because it was about a horse that lived in the desert. Fast forward 55 years and I sold my first mystery, “Desert Noir,” about a P.I. who lived in the desert. I wasn’t even aware of the odd coincidence until one of my creative writing students pointed it out.

What fascinates you about mysteries?

I’m going to take a chance and be honest here. In my books, I fictionally kill the people who in my real life I want to kill. In fact, I’ve killed a former boss three times, as well as those pesky people who’ve cut me off while standing in line at Motor Vehicles. Writing mysteries has kept me from acting on my baser urges.

 What inspired you to write your mysteries?

I heard there was no money in writing literary fiction, but mystery writers were making a killing (pun intended) with their books. That turned out not to be as true as I wish it were, but it’s cheaper than therapy, so I guess you could say that writing mysteries has saved me a ton of money.

What intrigues you about writing a series?

In my dark Lena Jones series (“Desert Wives: Polygamy Can Be Murder,” “Desert Wind,” etc.), Lena is the daughter I never had, and I feel very close to her. In my cozy Gunn Zoo series (“The Llama of Death,” “The Koala of Death,” “The Anteater of Death”), Theodora “Teddy” Bentley is a lot like me, temperamentally at least. She lives on a houseboat, I lived on one for a summer. She works in a zoo, I volunteer at the Phoenix Zoo. She has nutty parents – don’t even get me started on mine. I can’t imagine not having these two women, Lena and Teddy, in my life – so I just keep writing about them. I won’t stop until my books stop selling. At that point, I’ll simply have conversations with them. (Yes, I know that’s a bad sign.)

What is the most challenging facet of writing for you?

When I was still working full time as a journalist, I started writing at 4 a.m. so I could get in 4 hours before I went to work. Now that I’m retired, I still get up at 4 a.m. because the habit has become so ingrained. The challenging part for me is stopping. If I don’t write every day I get buggy.

What do you enjoy reading?

Kate Atkinson, P.D. James, Christopher Moore, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, J.A. Jance, Margaret Coel, David Morrell, Rhys Bowen, Yrsa Sigurdardotter, Michelle Huneven, Robert Crais, Margaret Maron, Sophie Littlefield, Nathan Larson… the list goes on and on. I like a mix of cozy, dark, horror, and that nebulous thing called “literary fiction.”

Which authors have influenced you?

I learned plotting from Agatha Christie, arc of action from David Morrell (whose book, “The Successful Author,” I use in teaching my creative writing classes), and character development from Kate Atkinson and P.D. James. Oh, and how can I possibly not mention the ever-sainted Tony Hillerman, the man whose books urged me to move from New York to Arizona, where I found my “desert daughter” Lena Jones. 

How much of a story do you have in mind when you begin a new book?

 Basically, I have my victim and the reasons so many people are out to get him/her. As I write my way into the book and the main characters emerge, I learn more about them. Then the book begins to take shape. In some cases I start off with an outline but abandon it about a quarter of the way through. Why? Because the “killer” I’ve originally planned to do the dirty deed often refuses to lift a finger against the victim, while a perfectly lovely person turns out to have a hateful heart. Stephen King once said about writing, “If the author isn’t surprised by what happens, how can he expect to surprise his readers?” Fortunately, my characters keep surprising me. 

 Part of the magic of writing is creating memorable characters. Who are your favorite characters, why, and which of your mysteries feature them?

My protagonists, of course. Teddy Bentley in my zoo mysteries. And Lena Jones in 7 of my “Desert” mysteries, too many to list here. They are both so different: Teddy is light-hearted, outgoing, and non-neurotic, while, Lena is a hurt, haunted woman, who was raised in a series of foster homes and doesn’t even know who her parents are. Yet both women are equally courageous, willing to risk their own lives to protect others (in Teddy’s case, she’ll also risk her life to save an animal). But another favorite character of mine is Aster Edwina Gunn, the autocratic owner of the Gunn Zoo, who while unfailingly kind to animals, makes poor Teddy’s life hell every chance she gets. I based Aster Edwina on my great-grandmother, quite the autocrat herself. I also dearly love gentle Jimmy Sisiwan, Lena’s half-Pima Indian partner at Desert Investigations. My female readers love him, too.

 What would you like to say to your readers & fans?

You all have been so good to me, sending encouragement and chiding me when I’m “writing too slow.” Love you all a bunch.

What advice would you offer a beginning writer?

I tell my creative writing students to hold off reading their work until they’ve finished their entire book. Reading raw material can be so depressing that many writers actually develop writers’ block over it. So don’t do it! Write all the way to the end without editing your work. The chapter or scene you’re struggling with now may be cut in the final draft, so why bother messing with it now? This makes me a charter member of the Terrible First Drafts Make Terrific Books Club, which says you can always fix “terrible,” but you can’t fix a blank page. Also – stop waiting around for “inspiration.” Inspiration shows up most often when you’re already at the keyboard working on your book.

Do you like a touch of romance woven into your mysteries?  Do you add it into your own stories?

Zookeeper Teddy is engaged to the county sheriff, and every now and then – especially towards the end of “The Llama of Death” – they do a bit of snuggling in public. Lena, though, has romance problems; she always falls for the wrong guy, such as Dusty, a handsome cowboy with a drinking problem.

As author you create magic offering readers an escape into your story.  As you write how deeply do you submerge into your own characters, setting and plot? Do you dream any of your scenes?

When I write about Teddy, I become Teddy. I’m warm, kind, caring, giving, the kind of gal mothers want their sons to marry. When I write about Lena, I’m emotionally closed off, bitter, and exhibit anger issues. My husband hates it when I write about Lena.

Why did you choose cozy rather than thrillers, intrigue or true crime?

Actually I write both cozies and darker material. My Gunn Zoo mysteries are definitely in the cozy camp, and my “Desert” mysteries (which are sometimes categorized as thrillers) are pretty hard-boiled. That’s because in real life, I’m a combination of the two – light and darkness.

What are you writing now?

“The Llama of Death” comes out January 6, 2013, wherein zookeeper Teddy takes a llama to the local Renaissance Faire. Murder ensues when someone kills Henry VIII with a crossbow dart. After 300-plus pages of llama, Renaissance tidbits, and zoo fun, Teddy catches the killer – but not until she’s almost becomes a victim herself. I’m currently working on “Desert Regret,” another Lena Jones mystery, which might come out at the end of 2013 or the beginning of 2014. And I’ve just returned from two weeks in Iceland, where I researched another zoo mystery, “The Puffin of Death.” In that one, I’ll include an Arctic fox, an Icelandic horse, and a polar bear cub – along with the titled puffin, of course. But as usual with all my Gunn Zoo books, no animal will be harmed, although humans fall like dominoes.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?

www.bettywebb-zoomystery.com

www.bettywebb-mystery.com

http://bloggingwebb.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/#1/bettywebb, writer

Follow me on Twitter @bettywebb and LinkedIn at Betty Webb

Visit Mystery Most Cozy for how to win one of her mysteries.

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Mystery Most Cozy Interviews Paige Shelton

Welcome, Paige. It’s a pleasure to interview you for MMC.

Paige

Mystery Most Cozy is celebrating their tenth anniversary.  What is your favorite thing about the group: reader interaction, fan support, being able to connect with fellow authors or what and why?

I love hearing about what readers are reading. I’m still not aware of all the wonderful cozy series out there. It’s always fun to hear about a new one.

The Mystery Most Cozy members’ support and enthusiasm are so appreciated.  

When and how did you discover the Mystery Most Cozy group?

Hmm, I’m not good at remembering time frames, but a year ago, maybe two? I believe Jenny invited me, or maybe Alicia Farage. 

How did you know you were meant to write?

Meant? Oh, how I wish I was that confident. I’ve known since I was seven that I *wanted* to write. I’m still not sure I was meant to write.

What inspired you to write mysteries?

 I actually began trying to get published by writing romances because the only local writers’ group I could find was a romance group. However, I hadn’t read many romances and I struggled. I’ve read thousands of mysteries and when I finally started trying my hand at those, it seemed the stories came more naturally. I need to add, though, that there’s nothing easy about writing either mysteries or romances. They both have their fair share of challenges.

What intrigues you about writing a series?

The characters. I love watching them evolve and grow. I had no idea I would love that part as much as I do. My characters have become good friends.

What is the most challenging facet of writing for you?

The first revision. Boy, that’s a tough one. I’m attempting to rework how I do things, though, to make that first revision less painful.

What do you enjoy reading?

Everything, really. To be honest, I don’t get to read nearly as much as I would like. I try to read a little every day because I think it’s important to read if you’re a writer, but deadlines keep me at the keyboard almost all day, and I try to keep my evenings for family.

Which authors have influenced you?

I don’t write like any of these authors, but these are the ones who reinforced (and still reinforce) my desire to be a writer: Carolyn Keene, Louisa May Alcott, Mary Norton, Antonia Barber, Phyllis A. Whitney, Sue Grafton, Diana Gabaldon, Stephen King, and Chelsea Cain.

How much of a story do you have in mind when you begin a new book?

Just a small spark. I wish I could outline or know what’s going to happen before it does, but I’m afraid I’m only able to write what the characters show me on a daily basis.

What would you like to say to your readers & fans?

Thank you – from the bottom of my heart! I have become friends with some of my readers and I feel like we’ve known each other forever – I cherish that. And, I’m honored that anyone takes some of their precious time to read something I’ve written.

What advice would you offer a beginning writer?

Never give up. It took me a long time and lots of rejection – some very cruel – to get published. Write at least a little every day. It’s a good habit to get into.

What do you enjoy most about being an author & what drives you crazy?

I love everything about writing except that first revision, which definitely drives me way crazy and keeps me up nights. Everything else is hard work but enjoyable. 

If you could meet three people (living or dead) and chat mysteries with them, who would you select?  What would you discuss?

Alfred Hitchcock, Phyllis A. Whitney, Diana Gabaldon (though she’s not a mystery author). I would ask them how they think, how they create. Do they feel like they have their own formula or is each experience unique. I would also be deeply curious about their personal lives and would want to know about their childhoods, etc. 

Do you like a touch of romance woven into your mysteries?  Do you add it into your own stories?

Yes, very much so. I don’t think I could ever write a completely romance-free mystery, and I much prefer to read mysteries with a little romance too. I love the awkwardness of real romance; it’s so humanizing.

What are your favorite “writing” clothes?

Sweats. I once heard Sue Grafton say that she never writes without first getting ready – shower, make-up – for the day. I roll out of bed, pull on sweats, brush my teeth, pour a Diet Pepsi, and get to work. I rarely even take the time to brush my hair first. I feel like I’m wasting work time if I don’t get to the computer right away.

As author you create magic offering readers an escape into your story.  As you write how deeply do you submerge into your own characters, setting and plot? Do you dream any of your scenes?

I wish I dreamed my scenes! No, I’m afraid that though I love what I do, it is very hard work for me. I love my characters but there are days they battle me something fierce. There are days I can’t find words to describe the perfect scene in my head. Fortunately, there are also days when the words seem to write themselves; those days are rare.

Why did you choose cozy rather than thrillers, intrigue or true crime?

My agent told me I had a cozy voice, and she came up with the farmers’ market idea. Everything felt right. However, though I hope I have a bunch more cozies in me, I hope to get a chance to write lots of other things too. When you start writing consistently, sparks of ideas start to multiply. I have an idea file on my computer that I add to almost every day.

Can you read cozies while writing? Or do they influence your own too much?

 No, unfortunately, I can’t. I typically read gory thrillers when I’m writing, and only a few pages a night.

What are you writing now?

I’m working on book four of the Cooking School series. No title yet.

Tell us about your newest mystery:

A KILLER MAIZE published December 4. It’s the fourth book in the Farmers’ Market series. The second book in the Cooking School series, IF MASHED POTATOES COULD DANCE, published in October.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?

www.paigeshelton.com

Thank you to everyone at Mystery Most Cozy. Your support and enthusiasm for cozies is so appreciated, and we couldn’t do what we do without you.

mashed4

killermaize

Visit Mystery Most Cozy to find out how to enter the drawing for one of her mysteries.

MYSTERY MOST COZY links:

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Mystery Most Cozy Interviews Ellery Adams

Hello, Ellery.  Welcome to our MMC interviews.  It’s always intriguing when I get to interview one of my favorite authors.

Mystery Most Cozy is celebrating their tenth anniversary.  What is your favorite thing about the group: reader interaction, fan support, being able to connect with fellow authors or what and why?

I love discovering new books through MMC. The readers give such specific recommendations that it’s easy to add to one’s TBR pile all the time.

When and how did you discover the Mystery Most Cozy group?

I found the Yahoo! Group somehow. It was years ago and my memory has become a sieve. All I know is that the group is wonderful!

How did you know you were meant to write?

I used to write stories when I was a kid. They’d star my friends as the heroes and those gals always ended up saving the day and going out with the cutest boys. I loved how my stories made them smile. That was at about age 8. I was a goner from that point on.

What fascinates you about mysteries?

I love puzzles and mysteries are a puzzle. You must gather the pieces and fit them together correctly to see the whole picture.

What intrigues you about writing a series?

Honestly, I need a series because I need my characters to change and grow and make mistakes and fall in love and fall out of love and go through all the things we go through as we age. Having a series means that my characters are never static.

What is the most challenging facet of writing for you?

Finding time for all of the ideas I have. I’m pretty much writing seven days a week at this point and still can’t get caught up. I’d like to write a young adult novel (I have 3 chapters) and a women’s fiction novel (I’ve written the first chapter) but I have to keep putting them aside to work on the books I actually have contracts for.

What do you enjoy reading?

My reading tastes are all over the place. I don’t read many cozies because I don’t want to be accidentally influenced by one of my fellow writers in any way. My favorite genre is historical fiction, then any kind of  mystery, then young adult, then fantasy.  I usually listen to one genre in the car, have another on my iPad, and a third on the nightstand.

Which authors have influenced you?

My idol is Agatha Christie. Whenever I get stuck on something I think, “What would Agatha do?”

What would you like to say to your readers & fans?

In addition to thanking them for their tremendous support, I would say to keep talking about your favorite writers. We mid-list writers survive mostly because people like the ones on MMC recommend our books to friends. We truly depend on that word-of-mouth promotion.

What advice would you offer a beginning writer?

Don’t quit. If you can finish a short story, that’s a huge accomplishment. If you can complete an entire book, then you can write another and another. Finding a market for them isn’t always easy, but don’t give up. Not ever!

Why did you choose cozy rather than thrillers, intrigue or true crime?

I love cozies because they zero in on people and not the crime or the gore or rough language. Cozies are stories about people and their determination to set things right. I like that the sleuths could be people you might know. They’re members of a community and together, with the help of friends and neighbors, the sleuths can bring about change for the better. They can right wrongs. Along the way, they can laugh, suffer loses, forge new relationships, and eat lots of amazing food.

What are you writing now?

I am working on two projects. The third installment in the Charmed Pie Shoppe series and the first book in an all-new series about a resort for book lovers. That series will debut in 2014 and I absolutely love it.

Tell us about your newest mystery:

Written in Stone, the 4th Books By the Bay mystery, is my best book to date. It was released on November 6th and I hope you get a chance to read it. Olivia and the Bayside Book Writers are really out to the test in this book and between a witch, a powwow, a food festival, and a possible ghost, Olivia’s world feels turned upside down. I really make things tough for her in this book, but I think it had to happen so she could finally admit that she needs a certain police chief by her side.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?

Stop by my website at www.elleryadamsmysteries.com or friend me on Facebook. And Happy Anniversary to Mystery Most Cozy. Ten years of supporting mysteries is amazing! Congratulations!

Visit Mystery Most Cozy to find out how to enter the drawing for one of her mysteries.

MYSTERY MOST COZY links:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/188620978695/?fref=ts

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My links:

 

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Mystery Most Cozy Interviews Sara Rosett

Hi, Sara. Thanks for joining our MMC interviews.

Mystery Most Cozy is celebrating their tenth anniversary. What is your favorite thing about the group: reader interaction, fan support, being able to connect with fellow authors or what and why?

I love interacting with other mystery readers–sharing new titles and discovering new authors.

When and how did you discover the Mystery Most Cozy group?

I joined during the Yahoo phase and I was thrilled to find a group dedicated to cozies!

What fascinates you about mysteries?

I love the puzzle aspect of mysteries, the figuring out who did it and why. I also love returning to favorite characters and settings.

What is the most challenging facet of writing for you?

I’m always nervous when I start a new book. During the writing process I’m always terrified that it won’t be long enough, but it always works out about right, thank goodness!

Which authors have influenced you?

I grew up reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon then moved on to Phyllis Whitney, Elizabeth Peters, and Mary Stewart. The first modern cozies I read were by Carolyn Hart and they had a big influence on me.

How much of a story do you have in mind when you begin a new book?

I know the beginning, the main characters, the murderer, the victim, and the suspects. The middle is always a little hazy. I have to get into the book to sort out the middle.

Part of the magic of writing is creating memorable characters. Who are your favorite characters, why, and which of your mysteries feature them?

My latest favorite character is Gabrielle in MISTLETOE, MERRIMENT, AND MURDER. She’s a rival professional organizer and a thorn in Ellie’s side. I’d never explored a rival for Ellie and the interaction between them was fun to write.

What would you like to say to your readers & fans?

Thank you so much for reading my books and supporting me. I appreciate every email, tweet, and review so much!

What advice would you offer a beginning writer?

Read, read, read! Things are changing fast in publishing, so stay on top of what’s happening. Go to writer’s conferences to meet other writers and refine your writing.

What do you enjoy most about being an author & what drives you crazy?

I love having written. I don’t like the first draft. Great sigh of relief when that’s over.

Do you like a touch of romance woven into your mysteries? Do you add it into your own stories?

I don’t have much romance in the Ellie books, just a bit here and there, because Ellie is married so there’s not going to be a huge emphasis on it, but in my new series, the On The Run books, there is more romance. I’d classify it as “sweet” or romance at a low simmer. That’s about all I can handle as a writer!

What are you writing now?

I’ve just finished Ellie #8, which takes place during a family beach vacation. I’ve started the second book in the On The Run series, Secretive.

Tell us about your newest mystery:

Super organizer Ellie Avery could really use some Christmas cheer when Gabrielle Matheson, a grinchy professional rival, sets up shop in the same small Georgia town. But before the halls are even halfway decked with holly, someone uses Ellie’s terrifically tasteless white elephant swap gift as a murder weapon! Ellie’s now a suspect. Besides playing Mrs. Santa for her Air Force pilot husband and their two kids, shielding her eyes from the garishly over-decorated house down the street, and helping a client who’s a hardcore hoarder, Ellie also has to solve this ho-ho-homicide and find a killer who wishes her a very deadly Christmas.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?

You can find me at http://www.SaraRosett.com, Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, and Pinterest.

Book link:

Mistletoe, Merriment, and Murder:

http://www.amazon.com/Mistletoe-Merriment-Murder-Ellie-Mysteries/dp/0758269218/ref=tmm_mmp_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1351869744&sr=1-1

Elusive (Book #1 in the On The Run series)

http://www.amazon.com/Elusive-Book-1-Run-ebook/dp/B0094HZVWC/ref=la_B001IXRPSS_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1352161606&sr=1-9

Bio:

A native Texan, Sara is the author of the Ellie Avery mystery series and the On The Run travel thrillers. As a military spouse, Sara has moved around the country (frequently!) and traveled internationally, which inspired her latest travel thrillers. Publishers Weekly called Sara’s books, “satisfying,” “well-executed,” and “sparkling.”

Sara loves all things bookish, considers dark chocolate a daily requirement, and is on a quest for the best bruschetta. Connect with Sara at www.SaraRosett.com or sign up for her newsletter list here. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Goodreads.

Sara bk 1

sara bk 2

Visit Mystery Most Cozy to find out how to enter the drawing for one of her mysteries.

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Mystery Most Cozy Interviews Elysabeth Eldering

Hello, Elysabeth. Welcome to our MMC interviews.

Karen, thank you for having me as a guest during the Mystery Most Cozy’s ten year anniversary.  I’m not your typical mystery writer as I’m in the process of writing a geography (50-state) mystery series and have written a middle grade/young adult mystery similar to a Nancy Drew mystery.  So without further ado, here you go – E 🙂

Since  MMC is celebrating their tenth anniversary what is your favorite thing about the group: reader interaction, fan support, being able to connect with fellow authors or what and why? 

Being a part of the group is multifaceted for me.  I like the reader support, although I’m still a big unknown.  I also like connecting with other cozy authors.  Love to read them, have yet to really write them.

When and how did you discover the Mystery Most Cozy group? 

I don’t really remember.  I think it was accidental about 5 or 6 years ago when I was exploring some yahoo groups to join.

How did you know you were meant to write? 

I didn’t.  I entered a contest in 2006 on a dare or challenge from an online friend and enjoyed it and decided I’d like to do the same thing long-term.  I have to admit that I’m not a dedicated writer as some folks are.  I don’t write every day nor do I put out tons of stories like others do.  I write when I’m truly inspired and go from there.

What fascinates you about mysteries? 

I’ve always loved puzzles and trying to figure out things.  When I’m reading mysteries, I don’t want to know who did it until the very end – I want to be able to try to figure it out before being told.

What inspired you to write your mysteries?

I’ve only written one mystery and it was kind of a vision.  I tried it several ways and my editors (two online writer friends) told me I needed to write it as a young adult mystery instead of the way I had written it.  I put it aside and then in 2008 during National Novel Writing Month (November) I decided to pull it out and revamp it.  Technically even though I accomplished the goal of writing the 50,000+ words in 30 days, I didn’t actually do it during the month of November.  I started the middle of November and went through the middle of December to complete the novel, but I did write it in 30 days.  I completed it with 56,000 words, give or take a few.

My first story was actually written for a fan mystery contest and that took second place in that particular contest (that was the challenge from my friend who happened to take first place) and I sent it to an editor with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators who gave me some advice on directions I could take the story so that each state would be the mystery as opposed to a mystery destination.

What intrigues you about writing a series? 

Different things.  Sometimes it’s the recurring characters and sometimes it could be the multitude of directions you can take a story.  My geography series is really the same, each book is a mystery state and the characters are recurring in a sense that there will always be the one person who owns the game playing the game but I’m trying to make it more interesting by switching the characters every once in a while.  One of my states actually has the whole class playing the game.  I’ve written the boy and his mother playing the game and I think one will actually have his sister “borrowing” the game and playing it with her friend, so Matt won’t be in the story until near the end.

What is the most challenging facet of writing for you? 

Actually sitting down and writing.  I don’t outline my stories but I’ve completed most of my research for my state series.  Most stories I write are short and have been written for contests.  I just don’t write often enough.

What do you enjoy reading?

Mysteries, ghost stories, young adult, most anything but sci-fi and strict romance.  I don’t mind a little romance or a hint of romance but I’m not a big romantic or have lost that idealism in myself so don’t really want to read it.

Which authors have influenced you? 

None – I tend to march to the beat of a different drummer – lol.

How much of a story do you have in mind when you begin a new book? 

Usually a few plot points – or at least an idea where I need to end up but I don’t plot out the full book before writing it, except my state series.  I pretty much know which characters are in the story and where the story ends (the state reveal obviously) and kind of have an idea where and when the story takes place.  My other stories have all been contest-written so for most of them I haven’t had time to develop the story.

Part of the magic of writing is creating memorable characters. Who are your favorite characters, why, and which of your mysteries feature them? 

I’d have to say Kelly Watson is kind of my favorite character at the moment as that is the only true mystery I’ve written so far.  I’ve been told the story, FINALLY HOME, is written very much like a Nancy Drew mystery and that I should write more and make her a series.  When I wrote FINALLY HOME, I intended it to be a standalone and not part of a series.  I’m still debating about writing more of her stories, so for now, Kelly will remain a single mystery intended for the middle grade and up group.

What advice would you offer a beginning writer? 

If you are passionate about writing, keep at it and remember once you have the first draft down, the really hard work begins but if you persevere you will accomplish your goal.

Do you like a touch of romance woven into your mysteries?  Do you add it into your own stories?

Since I’m writing children’s mysteries with my state series and middle grade/young adult novels, I have a touch – a hint of girl liking boy or boys liking same girl – but nothing heavy romance as it isn’t appropriate to my stories or my audience.

What are your favorite “writing” clothes? 

Hahaha – you mean we have favorite clothes?  I write in whatever I put on for that day.  I’m never one who writes in my pajamas because I work at home and I also do virtual classroom visits and don’t feel right if I’m in my nightgown while working or visiting students, even though no one can see me.  I don’t have a webcam for my class visits but I would still feel uncomfortable knowing I was showing up in my nightgown and robe and slippers.

As an author you create magic offering readers an escape into your story.  As you write how deeply do you submerge into your own characters, setting and plot? Do you dream any of your scenes? 

Not necessarily dream of my scenes but have visions – usually the key point of a story.  Such was the case for FINALLY HOME.  I had a vision of an old house that was calling my character to it or drawing her in and that vision stayed with me for several years and many changes of the story to come out with what I did.  The house was key in the story and it shows on my cover.

Why did you choose cozy rather than thrillers, intrigue or true crime? 

That’s a tough one.  I enjoy reading cozies so would probably like to write them, if that were the direction I were going.  Since I’ve only written one true mystery, not counting the six state mysteries I’ve written, which don’t really fall into a category of cozy, and it’s not really a cozy since there is no murder in it, I can’t really say that I’ve written a cozy.  Children’s mysteries are different than adults’ are.

Can you read cozies while writing? Or do they influence your own too much? 

I can read just about anything when I’m writing.  The reason being is I’m trying to get ideas to make my characters from FINALLY HOME into a series like the Nancy Drew mystery series.

What are you writing now? 

Kind of an intrigue/psychological thriller type of novel.  I was visiting a website last year that had some photos and mini prompts for the photos and several of them jumped off the page into my mind and a story was born.  Technically I started it last December but only wrote a couple of pages and have decided to revamp it and will be writing it during the month of November during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo or NaNo as I call it).  I hope to publish it sometime in the fall or early winter of 2013, maybe even the early part of 2014 – depends on how much I like the story when I finish writing it and revising and editing and polishing up, if I get that far.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?

Ms. Eldering is the award-winning author of the Junior Geography Detective Squad (JGDS), 50-state, mystery, trivia series.  Her stories “Train of Clues” (available in print and as an ebook on kindle), “The Proposal” (available as an ebook), “Tulip Kiss” (available as an ebook), and “Butterfly Halves”, all placed first, second, or runner up in various contests to include two for Armchair Interviews and two for Echelon Press (Fast and … themed type contests).  Her story “Bride-and-Seek” (available as an ebook) was selected for the South Carolina Writers’ Workshop (SCWW) anthology, the Petigru Review.  Ms. Eldering makes her home in upper state South Carolina and loves to travel, read, cross stitch and crochet.  When she’s not busy with teenaged children still at home, working her full-time job as a medical transcriptionist or participating in virtual classroom visits, she can be found at various homeschool or book events promoting her writing.

For more information about the JGDS series, please visit the JGDS blog at http://jgdssseries.blogspot.com or the JGDS website at http://jgdsseries.weebly.com

For more information about Elysabeth’s other writings, please visit her general writing and family blog at http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com or her website at http://eeldering.weebly.com

Visit Mystery Most Cozy to find out how to enter the drawing for one of her books.

MYSTERY MOST COZY links:

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My links:

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Mystery Most Cozy Interviews Linda O. Johnston

Linda, thanks for joining our MMC interviews. It’s a delight to get acquainted with you.
 
 
Murder Most Cozy is celebrating their tenth anniversary. What is your favorite thing about the group: reader interaction, fan support, being able to connect with fellow authors or what and why?
 
I have to admit I’ve mostly been a lurker, although I hope to change that. Mostly, I’ve enjoyed observing the interactions between authors and readers and how they communicate so delightfully!
 
When and how did you discover the Murder Most Cozy group?
 
I joined the Murder Most Cozy Yahoo Group on January 31, 2005. I know that because I went onto the Yahoo Group list and checked! I’m not sure how I first heard about it, but I’ve always loved mysteries, and my own first cozy mystery SIT, STAY, SLAY, a Kendra Ballantyne Pet-Sitter mystery, was published in 2005. Seemed like a good fit!
 
How did you know you were meant to write?
 
I’ve always written. Even as a kid, I started to write a novel–a sci-fi story about a boy and girl who explore the universe together. I never finished it but I found the pages I’d written a few years ago when my mother passed away. She had saved them.
 
What fascinates you about mysteries?
 
There’s such a variety of mysteries, from cozy to hard-boiled, and yet they all have something in common: something goes wrong, such as one or more person getting killed, and a person–the protagonist–who’s dedicated and interesting to read about is determined to figure out whodunit by the end of the book. Too bad real life isn’t always so satisfying!
 
What inspired you to writeyour  mysteries?
 
Since I loved to write, and I always enjoyed reading mysteries, it was a natural fit.
 
What intrigues you about writing a series?
 
In my two mystery series, the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries and the spin-off Pet Rescue Mysteries, I’ve enjoyed introducing, in each, a protagonist who must change during the first story from someone who has no interest in solving mysteries to a person who has no choice–and of course succeeds. Throughout the series, I also enjoy providing a character arc for my protagonists, as each comes to realize that, like it or not, she’s going to have to keep solving murders to help her friends or acquaintances. Each one has also had friends whose characters develop, too. And of course they’ve all had animals in them. I love pets, especially dogs!
 
How much of a story do you have in mind when you begin a new book?
 
I generally have a theme for the story that fits into the series. From there, I create a short synopsis that I work from–so I go into writing the story knowing who’ll get murdered, whodunit and how and why, and how my protagonist will solve it.
 
Part of the magic of writing is creating memorable characters. Who are your favorite characters, why, and which of your mysteries feature them?
 
I love Lauren Vancouver, protagonist of my Pet Rescue Mysteries, because of her dedication to saving animals. Her stories have inspired me to become a dog adoption counselor at Pet Orphans of Southern California, a wonderful private pet shelter. I also love Kendra Ballantyne, protagonist of my Pet-Sitter Mysteries, because she lives in the Hollywood Hills where I live, she’s a lawyer, as I’ve been, and she has a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Lexie, as I do. Do you see a theme here? My protagonists tend to be my alter egos!
 
What would you like to say to your readers & fans?
 
Keep on reading! And, if possible, make your reading a blend of print books and ebooks so both will continue to thrive. Oh, and while you’re at it, why not try some of my mysteries if you haven’t already, and if you have, I’d love it if you’d make the rest a target of your continued reading. J I’d also love to hear from you.
 
What advice would you offer a beginning writer?
 
Keep at it. Join writing groups, local or online, to get support for what you’re doing and critiques to help you continue to develop your skills. And never give up! You’re entering into a new world of publishing with lots of possibilities, from the standard established publishers to smaller publishers to self-publishing, so one way or another you should be able to share your creations with the world.
 
Do you like a touch of romance woven into your mysteries? Do you add it into your own stories?
 
Yes, and yes! In addition to being a mystery writer, I also write romance for Harlequin Nocturne (paranormal) and Harlequin Romantic Suspense. I’ve always said that my mysteries always contain an element of romance, and my romances always contain suspense or mystery.
 
As author you create magic offering readers an escape into your story. As you write how deeply do you submerge into your own characters, setting and plot? Do you dream any of your scenes?
 
My characters do seem to speak to me, to tell me what comes next, or that I’m taking them in a direction they don’t want to go. I don’t dream my scenes, but they often flow into my subconscious at night as I’m taking a bath and preparing for bed.
 
Why did you choose cozy rather than thrillers, intrigue or true crime?
 
I enjoy reading all of them, but realized that, to include animals in the way I wanted to–for fun, with all of them getting out of any fixes I’d put them in unharmed–cozies would work best. Even so, I haven’t closed my mind to the possibility of trying thrillers someday. And I do write romantic suspense–for Harlequin Romantic Suspense.
 
Can you read cozies while writing? Or do they influence your own too much? (tone, voice, etc.)
 
Unlike a lot of authors, I do like to read the kind of story I’m writing as I’m writing it, including cozies. That helps me get into the mood. But my stories derive from my own subconscious and my characters talk to me. I’m not concerned that I’ll start to mimic anyone else.
 
Do you feel you must write your cozies in a series? If so,why?
 
See my responses to character development, above. I love to see my characters develop and learn from their experiences as they solve more mysteries.
 
Do you enjoy “stand alone” cozies that are not part of a series if written well?
 
Sure–although most cozies I read are parts of series, I’ll read any kind of cozy as long as I enjoy it.
 
What are you writing now?
 
At the moment, I’m writing the fifth Pet Rescue Mystery. I just turned in the manuscript for my fourth Alpha Force Harlequin Nocturne–about a covert military unit of shapeshifters. As I mentioned, I love animals and I enjoy writing about them in any form!
 
Tell us about your newest mystery:
 
My latest published mystery is HOUNDS ABOUND, the third Pet Rescue Mystery themed around a special sanctuary for special needs pets that may be hard to rehome–seniors and those with disabilities, including some with prosthetics. When the owner of that sanctuary is accused of killing her ex-husband, protagonist Lauren Vancouver has to get involved to help keep the sanctuary in business. My next Pet Rescue Mystery OODLES OF POODLES will be a February 2013 release. It’s themed around the film industry and the “No Animals Were Harmed” trademarked phrase of the American Humane Association. Lauren is helping to observe the filming of a movie about rescue dogs and has to solve the murder of the director to keep the film going.
 
Where can we find out more about you and your books?
 
Come visit me at my website–although it currently needs to be brought up to date. It’s at http://www.LindaOJohnston.com You can also friend me on Facebook, or read my weekly blog on Wednesdays at KillerHobbies.blogspot.com

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Mystery Most Cozy Interviews Duffy Brown

by Karen E. Rigley

Welcome, Duffy. Thanks for joining our MMC party and it’s a delight to interview you.

Mystery Most Cozy is celebrating their tenth anniversary.  What is your favorite thing about the group: reader interaction, fan support, being able to connect with fellow authors or what and why?

Thanks for having me at Mystery Most Cozy and major congrats on the Tenth Anniversary! My favorite thing about MMC is all the above esp the reader interaction.  The best part of being a writer is the readers. I’ve met such great people and nothing is more fun than sharing new books with them, discussing characters, settings and what makes for a great mystery!

When and how did you discover the Mystery Most Cozy group?

When I switched from writing romance to writing mystery other authors told me about MMC and I’ve been here ever since. You all are the best for keeping up with the readers, what books are in their TBR pile and what they want to read next.

How did you know you were meant to write?

One day I asked my lovely husband of many years, “So, husband, what kind of stories do you think about?”

His intelligent blue eyes peered at me over the top of his newspaper. “Huh?”

“You know, stories you make up while waiting in line at the grocery or bank about the people around you. Do you think up mysteries, romances, adventure, self-help?”

“I think that I’m in the wrong line ‘cause it’s moving so darn slow.”

“No, seriously.”

“Yes, seriously.”

 I was stunned. He didn’t think of stories? What the heck did the man think about? I mean the slow-line thing took a split second so then what?

Up until then I thought everyone thought in stories. My first clue.

What fascinates you about mysteries?

Everything!

Love the mystery part…takes a lot of thought to pull off a mystery and have all the clues, characters, red herrings etc fall together and make it fun and make the readers laugh.

 Love the small town setting, not that it has to be a small town but a setting in a town or city. Like in Stephanie Plum books the setting is the burg…a small setting in New Jersey.

I love the characters and that they can be off the wall and help solve the mystery. I write/read for the humor. Life is serious enough. I want escape! Fun!

What inspired you to write your mysteries?

I wrote romance for twenty years and they always had a mystery element. When I realized I liked writing the mystery more than  the romance I decided to switch genres. Not there there’s not romance in the series…there is! Walker Boone is a hung to die for. A badboy and who doesn’t love reading and falling for the badboys.  But the mystery is the focus and that’s the most fun of all.

What intrigues you about writing a series?

Series are great because people get invested in the town and the characters’ lives and not ready to give that up after one book. Too much fun finding out what they’re up to next, the new characters they meet, new situations that come their way and new trouble brewing. Also you get to see the characters grow and change. Having a love interest is neat because they grow together while solving the mystery. And you get to explore more of the setting, in this case Savannah.

What is the most challenging facet of writing for you?

Writing is a challenge. If it were easy to get published everyone would be. LOL This is a job, much more than a 9 to 5 job. It never ends. But I love it. Cannot imagine doing anything else.  And the best part of all is meeting the wonderful readers along the way. I cannot tell you how many readers have become good friends. Tons! Love this job!

What do you enjoy reading?

I read cozies.

One for the Money   Stephanie Plum book one. I think it is pure genius. Best cozy ever!

Truly Madly by Heather Webber.  Heather makes me laugh and fall in love. An amazing author

Dead Air by Mary Kennedy   Great characters and setting.

Which authors have influenced you?

Mary Kennedy gave met confidence to try cozies and Heather Webber is a true inspiration. Both these gals are true friends and helped me enormously.  

I’ve read One for the Money so many times the pages are falling out of the book. All the Plum books are good but the first there are magic. I love the humor and the characters and when I read One for the Money I knew that’s what I wanted to write. I was hooked!

How much of a story do you have in mind when you begin a new book?

I’m a plotter. I map out the story first with beginning, middle and end. Red herrings, clues and dangerous situations. Characters, who they are and what they want.

What would you like to say to your readers & fans?

I write to entertain…a mini vacation to Savannah. I want readers to laugh and say, “Honey, listen to this.”  I want someone to ask the laughing reader, “Is it really that funny?”

What advice would you offer a beginning writer?

Don’t give up. Learn to accept rejection or you’ll never last in this business and remember all that matters to a publishing house is the bottom line…how much money can you make for them.

Don’t take rejection personally. It’s just business. Write something new and submit it and the only advice you follow is the advice of an editor. Critique groups can be death to your voice.

If you could meet three people (living or dead) and chat mysteries with them, who would you select?

I’d love to talk to Michael Connelly. He’s a down to earth author and could tell me a lot on writing a series. He’s been around the block and not a pompous ass. And I’d love to talk to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. I’m a Holmes nut. My license plate is Sherlock and my cat is Dr. Watson.

Do you like a touch of romance woven into your mysteries?  Do you add it into your own stories?

Yes, but the romance has to be merged into the mystery. The mystery part is the most important part and all the characters have to be part of it.

What are your favorite “writing” clothes?

Anything comfy. If I’m deep into the book there are days when I’m in my jammies 24/7. I sleep when I’m tied and eat anything I can grab. I don’t even look at the clock but just work till I run out of energy then crash.

 My house is trashed, no clean clothes or food in the fridge and the grass needs cutting, no kibble in the cat bowls. Good Lord, where are the cats!

When writing/promoting books there is little time for anything but that. And I do work at a consignment shop…how I got the idea for Iced Chiffon, a consignment shop in Savannah…so there is that. I need a clone!

  As author you create magic offering readers an escape into your story.  As you write how deeply do you submerge into your own characters, setting and plot?

After writing all day and feel like I’m coming back to the real world I think: okay what season is it? what month? day?  day or night? where the hell am I?

When writing I’m not in Cincinnati but where the setting is and with the characters. I know…call the guys in the white coats, this author is nuts!

Do you dream any of your scenes?

No, I don’t dream about my characters but after a day of writing and start dreaming at night…or day…I do it with quotation marks around what they say and put punctuation in the dialogue. Talk about weird dreams!

Why did you choose cozy rather than thrillers, intrigue or true crime?

 I want to have fun in a story not angst. There’s enough of that on the news and in the papers.  And I want the focus to be on the characters and the setting. A lot of thrillers are focused on fear. I want there to be mystery and questions but not terror.

Can you read cozies while writing? Or do they influence your own too much?

I don’t read while writing. Gets too confusing…my story or their story. I watch TV and mystery movies instead to catch the humor and analyze the characters and their movies.

What are you writing now?

Killer in Crinolines is the second book in the Consignment Shop Mystery series. It comes out in May, 2013. I’m putting the finishing touches on that.

The mystery involves her good friend Chantilly, a UPS driver. Pearls and Poison is the third in the series and involves her mom, the judge.

Tell us about your newest mystery:

Iced Chiffon is a first person book so we see what Reagan Summerside sees, feels, eats etc. She’s recently divorced by a scum-bucket who kicked her to the curb for the young Cupcake.

 I wanted a heroine who was struggling to reinvent herself but someone smart and hard-working. Reagan is rehabbing an old Victorian herself and opening up a consignment shop to make ends meet. She gets sucked into solving murders to save her house or help a friend or her mom.

 I love Reagan because she never gives up. Things don’t always go her way…heck they rarely go her way…but she keeps at it and best of all…she has a great sense of humor through it all.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?

www.DuffyBrown.com has excerpts, covers, fun things about Savannah and the characters. Enjoy!

Visit Mystery Most Cozy to find out how to enter the drawing for one of her mysteries.

MYSTERY MOST COZY links:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/188620978695/?fref=ts

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MysteryMostCozy/?yguid=482689562

My links:

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