Hi Debbie. I'm excited about
BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE and looking forward to talking to you about it, but before we talk about your new book, I'd
like to know why you write. Is it a job for you? Do you love the
process? Or is there something else that motivates you?
I enjoy writing, although I admit it
the editing and promotion aren’t easy. It is all worth it, though,
when you see your “baby” book finally delivered. It’s also very
motivating when you receive good reviews and comments from readers.
Do you have specific readers in mind
when you write, such as friends or family? Or a specific group of
people, such as women readers?
No, I can’t say that I have any
particular group in mind. I assume my cozy mystery writing will
appeal to women of a more mature age, but what I write is what I
feel. Since I write different types of books, I’m sure they will
appeal to different audiences.
When did you first start writing
fiction and what got you started?
I’ve been asked this question before,
and I always say that I’ve been writing since I learned how.
Recently, I came across some old material from my college days back
in the 80’s. I had written complete manuscripts in notebooks and
typed some of them on an electronic typewriter. As I look through it,
I realize that the material is amateurish because I’ve grown as a
person and a writer since then, but I may put some of it on computer
one day and edit it As far as how I actually got started writing, it
was a creative and much enjoyable hobby since childhood. I was a
great reader, and I was motivated by the authors I read. It was my
dream to publish one day, and I am thrilled that I have achieved that
goal.
Do you write novels only or do you also
write other forms such as short fiction or poetry?
I write articles
and short stories in addition to novels. I’ve been published in pet
magazines in print and online and am a member of the Cat Writer’s
Association. I also have several short stories in anthologies ranging
from mystery to science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
Is it hard to find the time and the
discipline for your writing?
To a degree. I’m an early riser, and I
find it more productive for me to carve out an hour or so to write or
edit in the morning before I have to get ready for my full-time job.
However, I also like to exercise early and then there are emails and
other social media and marketing stuff to deal with, so I sometimes
have to move some things to after work. Generally, I am too tired to
do much work at night. My husband is understanding of the time I need
to write, but I try to find time to also spend with my family. My
daughter is nearly a teen, so she is more independent now and that
makes it a bit easier.
Do you outline your books first or do
you let your plots come to you along the way?
I start with an idea
for the plot and characters, but they grow and change as I write. I
keep very minimum outlines, usually just brief character sketches.
Most of it is in my mind and, as I explained, I let the writing flow
without major editing until I’m done. It’s a somewhat
subconscious method but very creative, and I often surprise myself
with the results.
Do you revise much?
Absolutely. I could
edit forever, but I do keep the basic characters and plot. I just
clean up and tighten things, add research, fact check, etc.
Do your characters ever change your
stories in ways you hadn't expected?
All the time. I ended up
murdering the person I had chosen to be the killer in one book, but
it worked out as a nice plot twist. I write character-driven plots,
so my characters definitely lead my stories.
Are your characters drawn from people
you know?
Yes and No. I feel a bit of me is in each character, and
some have similarities to people I have known, but most of them are
unique.
What are your favorite novels/authors
and how have they influenced your writing?
I used to read a lot of
cozy mysteries and other series especially those featuring cats. I
loved Carole Nelson Douglas’ Midnight Louie books and Shirley
Murphy Rouseeau’s Joe Grey mysteries. When I was in my teens and
early twenties, I went through a gothic romance stage where I read
Phyllis Whitney, Victoria Holt, and other authors who were popular at
that time. Now I read a variety of different books by debut as well
as popular authors. My favorite current authors are Nora Roberts,
Sandra Brown, and Mary Higgins Clark. I look for books that are
suspenseful, include a nice romance and also a good twist, and
basically those are the types of books I like to write.
If you could put a famous literary
character in one of your novels, who would it be? And why?
Maybe
Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. I loved that movie and book and read all
the Oz books as a child. Dorothy is a real explorer. All characters
in my book take journeys, whether they are physical or emotional ones
and they usually find the answers within themselves, as Dorothy did.
I don’t know if her appearing in an adult novel would work, but I
like her spunk and determination which matches Alicia’s.
Your books are “cozy” mysteries.
What drew you to that genre?
Not all my books are cozies. My
self-published book is a paranormal romance, and I just finished
writing a psychological thriller. However, I enjoy writing cozies
because I like including pets, especially cats in my books. I also
don’t feel comfortable writing extremely violent or explicit sex
scenes.
Tell us a little about your newest
book. First, what's the title.
My second Cobble Cove mystery is
called BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE.
Tell us something about the plot,
without spoilers, of course.
The book picks up two years after the
first one but can be read as a standalone. It takes place in
December, and I include some holiday scenes. I also include three
crimes; burglary, kidnapping, and murder. It’s the reader’s job
to solve them and enjoy some of the cozy scenes such as a library cat
story time and a visit to a cat café. Some of the story takes place
in New York City near the holidays, but most of it takes place in
quaint Cobble Cove. The main characters from the first book, A
STONE’S THROW, are included, but I have added some additional ones
such as two college students, several younger children, and baby
twins.
Who is your favorite character in
BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE and why do you like him or her?
I like all my characters, but there are
a few, besides Alicia and John, who I think really stand out. I find
Pamela is intriguing because she’s not your typical wealthy woman.
She’s very generous, and she has a wide variety of interests. I
also especially like Mac. He’s wise but old-fashioned, and I love
his sayings. Gilly is outspoken and a lot of fun. She’s a perfect
friend for Alicia. Although Sneaky, the cat, and Fido, the dog, play
minor roles in both Cobble Cove mysteries and are depicted as pets
without human characteristics or voices, Sneaky has recently created
his own blog that can be viewed at
https://sneakylibrarycat.wordpress.com.
On the flip side, who is your least
favorite character in BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE and why don't
you like him or her?
That would definitely be the killer/kidnapper
for obvious reasons, but I don’t want to give that person away.
Is BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE part
of a series? If so, can we expect more to follow?
Yes, it’s the
second book of my Cobble Cove mysteries, although each book can be
read as a standalone. I am hoping to write at least two more of them,
but it depends on how they are received and if I get caught up on
other projects.
Thank you so much for visiting with us
on my blog. BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE sounds like a wonderful
book. Before you go, please tell us where it can be purchased?
