Interview with Debra Sennefelder

What is the title of your newest book? How many books have you published? 

The Hidden Corpse, book 2 in the Food Blogger Mystery series, is my newest book. It released at the

Debra Sennefelder

end of March. I currently have three published books. Last year my debut novel, The Uninvited Corpse, book 1 in the Food Blogger Mystery series was published. In January of this year Murder Wears a Little Black Dress, book 1 in the Resale Boutique Mystery series, was published.

How did you develop your character and choose your location? 

While writing another manuscript, in a different genre, I had the idea of trying to write another cozy (I’d written one years ago) and I decided I wanted the series to revolve around food, so I decided on a food blogger. Having had my own food blog for several years, I knew about blogging and it also gave Hope flexibility with her schedule to get involved with a murder investigation. It was over a process of weeks of brainstorming the idea for the first book and creating the world where Hope lives that her character came to be. I chose to create a fictional town in Connecticut for Hope to live in. Jefferson is a quaint town in the northwest hills of Connecticut where autumn is spectacular, winter is harsh, spring is abundant with beauty and summer is perfect for lazy days.

What do you enjoy about the author’s lifestyle? What do you not enjoy? 

I love the flexibility of writing full-time. I’m able to set my own hours and not have to commute any longer. However, writing full-time means that there are times when it’s hard to stop work for the day.

Do you model your character after yourself or any one you know? 

Hope does have some of my traits and habits, but she’s not me. I prefer not to model characters after people I know. With that said, sure there are some traits I’ve given characters from people I do know.

How do you get yourself out of a writing rut? 

I don’t think I’ve been in a writing rut. Maybe working on two series helps keep me from feeling like I’m in a rut. I do make sure to take time away from my work with regular workouts and walks with my two dogs, Susie and Billy.

If your books were made into a movie, who would you want to play the lead character? 

I honestly have no idea. The chances of this happening are incredibly low, so I don’t even think about it.

Who is your favorite author? 

There are way too many to list. However, Katherine Hall Page is the author who opened the world of culinary cozy mysteries to me with her Faith Fairchild Mystery series years ago.

If you could invite five people – living or dead – to a dinner party, who would they be? 

First on the list would be my critique partner, Ellie Ashe. She lives in California, so we only get to visit when we Facetime. The other guests would be Martha Stewart, Bethenny Frankel, Neil Armstrong and Katherine Hall Page.

If you could not be an author, what would like to do as a career? 

That’s easy, I’d be a food blogger.