What is the title of your newest book? How many books have you published?
Ginger Snapped, released in December 2017, is the fifth book of my Spice Shop Mystery series. I also wrote a 3-book cozy series called the Bunco Babe Mysteries which have been republished by Beyond the Page as the Kate McCall Mysteries and are available in e-book format. Before writing cozy mysteries, however, I was a romance writer and had nine historical romances published under the pseudonym of Elizabeth Turner.
How did you become interested in writing?
Long before I even thought of writing a book, I was an avid reader. I confess that I think of myself more as a storyteller than a writer. Writing is simply a means to get the story inside my head down on paper.
I generally start my writing day mid-morning by packing a lunch and heading downstairs to my office. I know if I’d come upstairs to eat I’d end up throwing in a load of wash, starting dinner, or any number of non-writing related tasks. When I have a deadline staring me in the face, I work until at least five o’clock. I don’t give myself a daily word count, but I do keep to a schedule and know exactly how far along I need to be chapter-wise to complete my work-in-progress on time.
Do you plot the entire book first, then write or plot as you go?
I’ve done it both ways but found it’s less stressful if I have a longish synopsis to work from. I compare it to using a road map in planning a lengthy trip. GPS is great but I need a broader overview.
Do you use real people and places as models for your books?
Some characters are entirely imaginary; others are a composite of people I’ve seen or met that fulfill my mental vision for that character. That said, I did use a good friend once who won a bid at a silent auction to become a character in a Spice Shop Mystery. She appeared in one book, then I killed her off in the next one. We’re still friends.
Who is your favorite author?
Good question. I really don’t have a ‘favorite’ author but have favorite books. Even when reading books by the same author, I find certain ones resonate with me more than others.
How do you promote your books?
I’m not as media savvy as many authors and need to improve on that score. I’ve done various presentations and panels, but I’m too much of an introvert to enjoy this. Public speaking is just not my thing. What I do, however, is participate in a virtual blog tour and blogs such as yours. I believe this helps get the word out and targets the readers most likely to enjoy my books. I really do appreciate all bloggers, such as yourself, do on an author’s behalf.
For a review of Ginger Snapped, click here.
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