Interview with Sally Goldenbaum

How many books have you published?
34

How did you become interested in writing?

I've written all my life, Words have always brought me comfort somehow. And pleasure. As a philosophy major I did plenty of writing, then working in marketing and PR (WQED in Pittsburgh and an educational channel in Bloomington IN) gave me additional opportunities. I also worked as an editor of journals for a while and taught creative writing. I suppose I always, somewhere in the back of my head, had the desire to write a book.

What is a day in the life of an author like? Do you write a certain number of words, do you write in the morning or evening, etc?
I don't have a set schedule, though I often wish I were one of those writers who got up at 6, had coffee, and hit the office. I start my day more slowly, then usually read out to Starbucks or a library (I have an office at home but find it difficult to work there, with the refrigerator so handy and laundry that needs to be done. My wish would be to write like crazy for 4 hours and then have a life afterwards. But it rarely works out so nearly.

When my deadline begins to loom, I DO work on word count, knowing approximately how many I need to get in each week. I also frame my day around chapters sometimes.

Do you plot the entire book first, then write or plot as you go?
No. I begin with a sketchy synopsis that I share with my publisher, but I almost never know who the murderer is or why the act was committed. Usually I know who the victim is. But my stories unravel as I write them.

Do you use real people and places as models for your books?
Real people influence and inspire the characters in my book, as do places. My town is fictitious but loosely modeled on three towns on Cape Ann MA: Gloucester (actually a city), Rockport, and Manchester by the Sea.

Who is your favorite author?
I honestly don't have a favorite author. I read a whole variety of books--mysteries, women's fiction, general novels. Right now I am reading A Gentleman in Moscow and a debut novel, Girl in the Snow. I just finished a novel for my 9-yr-old granddaughter's mother/daughter bookclub, Inside Out and Back Again, by Thanhha Lai. It was excellent!

How do you promote your books?
Mostly social media (fb, website, twitter), and book signings. My publisher adds into this memes they post on social media, blog tours they arrange, giveaways, etc.

Murder Wears Mittens by Sally Goldenbaum is on sale now.

Don't forget to enter for a chance to win in the first MapYourMystery giveaway.