Thursday, September 8, 2016

Tonya Kappes Interview

Interview with Tonya Kappes


How many books have you published?
My 26 novel just came out this week! SQUEE!! (If you want to see all her books go here)

Under what names do you publish? 
My very own name, Tonya Kappes.

Do you plot the entire book first, then write or plot as you go?
Since I write mystery, I always know who the victim is, how the victim died, why the victim was killed, and who did it. Other than that, I write my way from beginning to end.

How do you keep continuity on backstory? For example I read a book recently where the lead character said she had three brother, several books later, she was an only child.
I'm lucky that I have wonderful editors who put together a book bible for me. They update the book bible with every novel. I also keep an address book for each series where I list the character by the names in the correct tab in the book. Under their name, I obviously don't put an address but I put all of their characteristics under their name. It makes it so much easier when I do need a quick eye color.

The character of Emma Lee Raines is very unusual. How did you develop her? 
There are so many cozy mystery characters that have the typical coffee shop, book store, witch etc....and I knew I wanted something different. I have a good friend who is an undertaker and I thought  it would be so funny. So I went with it.

Who is your favorite author? 
Too many to name and I never answer this because I have a lot of author friends and I don't want to hurt feelings.

Do you write with pen and paper or a computer?
Both!

Read Seeing Ghosts review on MapYourMystery.com

98 comments:

Tonya Kappes said...

YAY!! Thank you so much for having me. It's so much fun to answer questions that I hope readers want to know.

Sally said...

Great interview. I love the address book idea!

Susan P. said...

Great questions! I loved this interview. Tonya's books are the best!

Joy Hejl said...

I never read paranormal cozies until I came across Tonya. I just love the characters and towns Tonya creates. Emma Lee Raines is a character who takes no prisoners and has a lot of spunk.

Joy Hejl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I love you Tonya! You are the sweetest lady I know and I have met you several time.... your books are hilarious! Bieri.linda@yahoo.com

bonnie hildwein said...

I LOVE tonya Kappes books. This is a,great interview. Thank you very much for this.

Unknown said...

Great interview!

Donna Harms said...

Great interview...love Tonya's books!

Carrie Meyer said...

Tonya is just amazing. She writes truly great storylines & they are so much fun. I can't pick a favorite, love them all. Emma is just as unique as June Heal is in the charming series. We all weird quirks and she never makes them perfect. Love that!

Unknown said...

Awesome interview with one of my favorite authors.

Unknown said...

Awesome interview with one of my favorite authors.

Deb Forbes said...

Good interview. I love all of Tonya's Kappes books. They are fun and she has unique, quirky, smart characters that I just love.

Deb Forbes said...

Good interview. I love all of Tonya's Kappes books. They are fun and she has unique, quirky, smart characters that I just love.

stepc said...

I never had read or even thought I would like a paranormal cozie.. Enter Miss Tonya Kappes and I was hooked. I absolutely love her style of writing, her books draw you in from the get go. She is my absolute favorite author. Thank you Tonya for your creative mind..

Unknown said...

I like your interview. I liked your comment on continuity as I have seen some authors who can't even seem to get it right within a single book, much less a series.

Jo said...

awesome interview of an awesome author -- love her books (love the author too)

jawdance said...

Great interview!! Love Tonya's books and love her post on FB!!

Dawn Frazier said...

Great interview! I love Tonyas books!

Brandy Messenger said...

Great interview! Tonya's books are definitely some of my favorites. Keep up the good work!

Shelli King said...

Tonya's stories are just so much FUN! Great interview!!

Terri said...

I loved this interview! Tonya Kappes writes the greatest books ever!

Taryn Lee said...

Great interview, love Tonya amd her writing.

Brooke Showalter said...

Thank you for featuring Tonya! She is one of my favorite authors ever. Love her Kentucky-set mystery books.

Unknown said...

Thank you for interviewing Tonya Kappes on your blog. Her books provide the reader the opportunity to read a book that can make you laugh but yet puzzle how the character will get out of the predicament.

Unknown said...

I really enjoyed this interview!! The address book is a very smart idea. Tonya Kappes books are the best! She is my favorite author.

karenlalsip@gmail.com said...

I always wondered how Authors stay so organized when there are multiple series. Maybe I need to do something like this for myself..... Each of Tonya's book series are so different it's really hard to pick a favorite so I won't attempt it. I do look forward to the next Emma Raines book, she's sassy and spunky, qualities I admire!

SandyG265 said...

I like Tonya's characters and the humor she mixes into her stories.

ladybugz727 said...

This is so exciting! I'm so happy you had this interview. I love Tonya Kappes stories. They are all light and fun. Ms. Kappes loves to interact with her readers.

Debi Paglia said...

I read & love everything Tonya writes! I have all of her books!

Nova said...

congrats on the 26th book release! love your stories!

Airieanne said...

The address book is a terrific idea for keeping track of characters. Wow! Tonya writes fun mysteries.

Valerie said...

Great interview! I haven't known you long, just started reading your books! Looking forward to reading more from you!

Valerie said...

Great interview! I haven't known you long, just started reading your books! Looking forward to reading more from you!

Linda McDonald said...

Fun interview! I love Tonya and her books! That is awesome that you have 26 books published. Great accomplishment.

Kelli Jo said...

Love love love Tonya!! Here I sit, waiting for her next book to come out! ����

dogmompatty said...

Thanks for having Tonya on!

Jeannie D. said...

Always enjoy reading about an author's writing process. Love Tonya's books.

koryander said...

Love Tonya Lapped and this interview rocked

Deana said...

Loved the interview. I really liked the idea that you use to keep up with characters and their relatives. Thank you for a great interview.
Deana

Grandmareads said...

What an interesting interview. I learned so much about Tonya Kappes.

Daniele K said...

Nice interview.

Unknown said...

An amazing author!!! Love Tonya Kappes ��

Meryl said...

Love your books. Great interview.

Unknown said...

Loving your books!!!

Diane Williams said...

Great interview. I love Tonya's books. I am a big fan, and have just learned some new stuff about her.

Unknown said...

Love this lady , sure hope I get to meet her someday! She always manages to make us smile . Her books are so much fun . Thank you for all you do Tonya

Unknown said...

Love this lady , sure hope I get to meet her someday! She always manages to make us smile . Her books are so much fun . Thank you for all you do Tonya

Anonymous said...

Great interview!!! Thanks so much for featuring Tonya on your blog!!!

Cathie Dewey said...

Nice interview. You sound so organized. Can you help me? Love to read your stories.

Unknown said...

Love the interview!! Tonya's book are so great and I love any story that makes me laugh along with it no matter how serious the plot is.

Unknown said...

Love the interview!! Tonya's book are so great and I love any story that makes me laugh along with it no matter how serious the plot is.

Becky Wilhoite said...

You're so creative, Tonya! I love the address book idea and never heard of that. I enjoy you and your books so much. Thank you for all you do. Xoxo

Becky Wilhoite said...

You're so creative, Tonya! I love the address book idea and never heard of that. I enjoy you and your books so much. Thank you for all you do. Xoxo

Unknown said...

I love Tonya!!!! Great interview ��

Heather said...

I love Tonya Kappes and her books! They are a lot of fun, and hilarious! Awesome interview! :)

miki said...

26books?oh my i'm even more behind that i had imagined but oen thing is sure i LOVE your writing and plan to read them all

casmith79 said...
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casmith79 said...

Tonya's books are quirky, magical, and just the thing for a quick "getaway" - even if it's only in my own imagination.

Loved the interview. Tonya is just so authentic.

Unknown said...

Great interview! Learn something new every time you do one ☺I have read all of Tonya's books. Love paranormal books with a comedy twist. Tonya Kappes is one of my favorite authors ☺

Unknown said...

Great interview! Learn something new every time you do one ☺I have read all of Tonya's books. Love paranormal books with a comedy twist. Tonya Kappes is one of my favorite authors ☺

Cece said...

Love your books Tonya Kappes!

Unknown said...

Great interview! The address book is a great idea.

Kim said...

Such a great interview, I learned some new info about Tonya's writing process.

HPERGOLSKI said...

Love the idea of an address book to keep everything or everyone together. Aha!
A fun interview!

Karen Snyder said...

Great Interview. Love Tonya Kappes' books!

Doward Wilson said...

Interesting interview. Learned so much more about your writing methods. Love the books & am always looking forward to a new one.

MJB Reviewers said...

Love all of Tonya's books and am looking forward to continue reading her great books.

servedogmom said...

Informative interview. I love Tonya's books. Each series is unique.

Debi Brock said...

Head over heals for Tonya Kappes wonderful stories, Was hooked on first book. Cant wait to get them. Sad when it ends. lol Can hardley wait for next edition. Thank You

Kathleen Kendler said...

loved the interview.

Anonymous said...

I love Tonya Kappes books and the interview was great!

Kristina Millett said...

Awesome interview! Tonya Kappes is an amazing author.

Tracy Shafer said...

What a great interview with an awesome author! Tonya rocks!!!

Sonya Steele said...

Thank you for interviewing Tonya Kappes. She and her books are amazing!

Michelle C said...

Tonya is such an amazing author! Love her books!!

Unknown said...

I love all of Tonya's books! One of my favorite characters is June Heal.None of her books dissappoint they are all so good that once you start reading you get so caught up in the story that you hate to put the book down.

Holly LaFrance said...

Great interview. I love Tonya's books. She is an awesome author and one of my favorites.

Unknown said...

Great interview! I love Tonya and her books ❤

Unknown said...

I love Tonya's books! She is one after my favorite authors and the nicest person!

Stormi said...

Great interview! I alway like learning how an author writes their stories...like the idea of an address book. :)

Layla said...

Great interview! Tonya writes amazing stories and is such a sweet person!

Anonymous said...

With so many books and characters, a book bible is a great idea. Thankyou for the great interview. Jill Broussard, minishoes@msn.com

Ashley Yungbluth said...

Really enjoyed the interview with Tonya :) loved how she uses an address book to keep characters in order (awesome idea)

Crochetma said...

I love and read every book Tonya writes! I definitely enjoyed this interview and learned a few tricks of the trade. The address book idea is fantastic. The continuity in the characters in the various series is great and now I know why!
Merry

Unknown said...

I love your books Tonya!! Thanks for the great interview!! I can't ever get enough!!

jlsxstitch said...

Great interview. I really like the information about the continuity.

Lisa Kay said...

Just love Tonya's books. Thank you Map Your Mystery!
I love the interview.

SuziQ said...

Loved the interview! I am excited to see a blog that will have a mystery for every state! Terrific idea!

Unknown said...

I'm a huge fan of Tonya's books and she just sounds so nice and well, kind of cool in your interview. Love it, thank you!

kaisquared said...

Tonya's books and characters rock, and she is such a sweetie!

Unknown said...

Love Tonya's books and love the great questions. Love the book bible.

Jo Ann Hunter said...

I love your stories Tonya, they're the best!

Unknown said...

Great interview! Thank you for having Tonya today. She is the best. I love her books and hope to see her here again.

Bruce Curran said...

Great Interview. Enjoyed the continuity question. Hadn't ever considered the difficulty of keeping all the characters straight.

Unknown said...

Love Tonya's books! Great interview

Unknown said...

I absolutely LOVE Tonya Kappes! I own EVERY novel/novella she has written. As ive said so many times, she has a way with words. Reading her books make me feel as if I am standing beside each character in the book and watching the exchange! Awesome interview!!!

Unknown said...

I absolutely LOVE Tonya Kappes! I own EVERY novel/novella she has written. As ive said so many times, she has a way with words. Reading her books make me feel as if I am standing beside each character in the book and watching the exchange! Awesome interview!!!