Going Around Writer's Block: Author Interview with Susan Reiss

You’ve now published two book series. One deals with love that transcends time and the other is murder mysteries. Which genre is easier for you to write?

The St. Michaels Silver series is firmly in the mystery genre with a few historical tidbits tossed in for flavoring. These tidbits make the stories unique because they are set in a real place, a small town on the Maryland Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. This area where I now live full-time is rich in history and "quirky" characters (though the characters are based on real people, living or dead.) Discovering that silver and silversmiths played some key roles in the life of the county and the state made the writing process exciting.

The In Time series won the Bookfest Gold Medal for Best Historical Fiction Series in 2023. It.is more historical fiction plus mystery (with a dash of romance). It began when I bought a massive antique desk, the kind with cubby holes and secret compartments. I started to wonder who had sat at the desk and wrote letters...to whom? about what? Then the name Daniel popped into my head. The next day, I visited a friend in her "new" house dating back to the early 1800s and told her about my musings. Next thing I knew, she produced a portrait dated 1840 of a young man. No one knew him. The painting was not signed. She declared it was Daniel. She sent me home with him to write the story. 

With my librarian's help, I pulled together some random historical facts and wrote the book. I thought it would be a standalone. "NO!" declared the readers. "We want the next book." That was when the historical research became vital. Of course, research takes time and effort. Then there was the creative time and effort to weave the story in the past, the story in the present, and the connections.

With that said, I think writing is not about which genre is easier. I think the author has to go where the story and characters lead...and most importantly, where the author's imagination blossoms.

How do you go about doing research for your time travel novels?

My first stop is the St. Michaels library and a chat with the knowledgeable librarians there. They have a solid understanding of the historical materials about this area in the collection. At one time, I had more than 50 books checked out! Fortunately, the Maryland library system has digitized many resources so I can take advantage of 100+ year old copies of publications like the Baltimore Sun. I have even done research at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

How do you choose a time period? What’s one of the most unique facts you’ve discovered in doing your research?

The discovery of "Daniel's portrait" helped narrow down the time period along with the discovery of a political thread that continues to exist today. Though Maryland remained in the Union during the Civil War, the Eastern Shore with its plantations and slaves like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman in this county, the split among the residents was extreme. Even today, as you know Maryland is a blue state BUT the Eastern Shore has had a staunch Republican in the House for more than 20 years.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

My editor from the beginning, Kristen Weber, gently educated me in the nuances of writing mysteries and taught me how to nurture my own creativity. Even though I had written for TV for many years, I still had to study and learn new things since I wanted to write books. And that was okay! Her gentle encouragement showed me I could be my worst enemy but why should I do that to myself? If I wanted to do something, study, practice, edit, edit, edit...and above all, be honest with myself. If it doesn't feel like the manuscript isn't ready, it's not. Make another cup of tea and dive in again to figure out why!

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?

I have a marketing background and I know how unreliable advertising is. Trying to understand the metrics can make you crazy. That's why I don't advertise. Yes, it's important to test any marketing product and message you develop for your books and your brand, but doing what you should to produce a strong message that resonates can eat up your time and money. I like talking to readers. Getting out of the writing study is important, making presentations, appearing on panels, doing signings while talking to the people. I work hard to build my email list and then try to make the messages interesting and somewhat unique. I've found making connections with people brings them to the first book and read-through sells the rest of the books in the series.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?

How to tell my negative internal editor to Shut Up! Not every line in the first or second draft is brilliant, but I'm learning everyday how to make each line better! As long as I have that commitment, a good editor, and honest advance readers, I think I can be proud of my books.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

It's about writer's block. Sometimes, life throws you so many curves, it is just hard to write. When it happened to me, I was stunned. Working in television for many years, it was not something I or my colleagues faced. When we had a deadline, the show had to be ready. There was no such thing as dead air, if you wanted to keep your job. When I began writing books and life was full of bumps I told a friend I couldn't work. He set up a lunch with Stewart Greene, creative director of the amazing advertising agency Wells, Rich & Greene. I had been in awe of this man for years. Sitting across the table from him, I felt so embarrassed when he said,"I understand you have writer's block." I quickly assured him I was working through it and committed to... He stopped me. "Why are you working through it? That takes a lot of energy. Just go around it and keep going. It will all work itself out."

I never had a problem again.

Give me a short synopsis of your latest book.

My most recent book, Devoted in Time, came out in April. Here's a little synopsis:

Emma once more delves into the mysteries of Waterwood Plantation’s past. A chilling discovery of a skull catapults TJ and Emma into a web of secrets surrounding the Man-in-the-Field, known as Gideon. Who was he? Why was he laid to rest in an unmarked grave more than a century ago? As Emma seeks answers, she uncovers a labyrinth of betrayal spanning from the Civil War era to the present day. She grapples with the shadows of the past that threaten the present, but as she inches closer to the truth, she realizes some secrets are best left buried—as they may hold the power to unravel lives.

Sounds intriguing! If you'd like to learn more about Susan's books, here's how to get started.

https://susanreiss.com/st-michaels-silver-series

https://susanreiss.com/in-time-historical-series
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Susan-Reiss/author/B00J7A2YF8

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7772853.Susan_Reiss

And here's a bonus for my readers, leave a comment on this post and we'll pick two readers who will receive their choice of  an eBook copy of Letters in Time or Tarnished Silver. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next Tuesday!

Good Editors Are Golden: Author Interview with Kelly Oliver

Kelly Oliver is the award-winning author of the Jessica James Mysteries, the Kassy O’Roarke Pet Detective series and Fiona Figg Mysteries.

When she’s not writing mystery novels, Kelly is a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University, and the author of fifteen non-fiction books. Read on as we discuss her fiction writing. 

You are the author of three distinctly different mystery series, but you have a career as a Philosophy Professor. What made you decide to take a side route from the scholarly side to mass market trade novels?
There were a lot factors that came to play. As one of the only women in the PhD program in philosophy at Northwestern, I had more than my share of strange experiences, situations better suited to fiction than non. My first novel was loosely based on some of my own experiences in graduate school—except I didn’t kill my thesis advisor😀

As a philosophy professor, I wrote about many different topics from animal ethics, to film, to women’s issues, and beyond. When writing about social problems, I often wished I could reach a wider audience than academic philosophy. A few of my nonfiction books are also trade books.

With fiction, I can reach a much wider audience and also deal with serious social issues in ways that might—hopefully—change the way people think about those issues, or perhaps make them think about them for the first time, all in the context of page-turning entertainment.

How long did it take you to write your first mystery that was published? How many rewrites did you do on it?
I guess it was about six years ago now, one August, that I decided to try to write a novel. I’d never written a word of fiction. Luckily, that very weekend there was a mystery writers convention in Nashville called Killer Nashville. 

I went and learned so much. On Monday, I started writing WOLF, my first Jessica James Mystery. I joke that if it had been a sci-fi convention, I’d be writing sci-fi.

I wrote the first draft in about two months. Then I revised it for at least a year. I lost count on the rewrites.

Have you been active with any writing critique groups?
I’ve been active with several mystery writers’ groups and mystery writers’ conventions. I also work with several editors.

How did you go about finding an agent / publisher?
I sent out a lot of queries to agents. I had an agent for a while, but she didn’t sell anything. I went to conferences, did pitches, the whole deal. With my Fiona Figg Mysteries, I hit the jackpot when Level Best Books accepted the first manuscript. There are small publishers out there that don’t require agents.

How do you go about plotting your mystery? Do you pick the victim or the murderer first?
I start with the protagonist/character and the main event or concept and then fill out the plot and subplots and secondary characters. So, to answer your second question, neither one. I pick the detective character first and then the victim and sometimes it takes me a while to figure out the perpetrator.

What do you think makes for a perfect murder mystery?
I think all good books are in some sense mysteries. There is something that makes the reader want to keep turning the pages, something the reader is hoping to find out. A mystery that can maintain the sense of curiosity and wonder throughout is a great story.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Starting is definitely hard. I always mop around doing anything but writing for weeks before I can face that blank page. Dialogue is easiest for me. I used to fight it and try to write complete finished scenes. Now I write dialogue and go back and fill in the rest. I write in layers, starting with dialogue.

What does your editor remind you to do most often?
Show the characters’ emotions and inner thoughts—their reactions. Those bits in italics that get inside their heads. I also have trouble keeping track of the timeline and usually have to go back through a few times and fix things.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
I rely heavily on my editors, not only for help and corrections, but also for encouragement. All of my books have won independent publishing awards and that is encouraging. But in general fiction writing is a pretty demanding and difficult world.

We have all experienced rejection. How have you learned to write past it?
In thirty years publishing scholarly articles and books, I’ve experienced a lot of rejection. It comes with the territory. Diving into the fiction world took rejection to new levels. It can be very discouraging. But, you just have to get back on the horse. I’m nothing if not determined!

What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing?
I’m surprised by the process of writing itself and the way that one word, phrase, or sentence can change a whole world. Sometimes my editor will tell me to change some big thing and it turns out that I can do it by just changing one sentence. It’s a miracle. Writing is miraculous.

I live to write and write to live. Without writing, I would just be wandering the street feeding stray cats.

What has frustrated you the most?
There are many frustrations that come with publishing, from bad reviews on Amazon (pro-tip: don’t read them), to sneaky typos that make it past many pairs of discerning eyes, to distributors who don’t get the books out in time. Lots of little things.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
You have to trust your gut and not be pulled in different directions by readers. Otherwise, you could revise forever trying to please this one and then that. You can’t please everyone. Write for yourself and you will find your readers…. Or they will find you (pro-tip: they’ll only find you if you market and advertise!).

Also, I’ve learned that for me at least writing is a process of layering. It doesn’t have to be perfect or finished the first time around.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Find a good editor. Good editors are golden. 

Can you give me a short synopsis of your newest book?
I’m so excited about my second Fiona Figg Mystery, High Treason at the Grand Hotel, which launched earlier this month. Fiona is the most fun character for me to write. And I love writing historical fiction. I learn so many interesting tidbits about history, some of which make it into the novels.

It’s 1917, Paris. Sent by the War Office to follow the notorious Black Panther, file clerk turned secret agent Fiona Figg is under strict orders not to get too close and not to wear any of her usual "get-ups." But what self-respecting British spy can resist a good disguise?

Within hours of her arrival in Paris, Fiona is up to her fake eyebrows in missing maids, jewel thieves, double agents, and high treason. When Fiona is found dressed as a bellboy holding a bloody paperknife over the body of a dead countess, it's not just her career that's on the block.

It’s fast-paced and funny. Hopefully readers will enjoy it, especially in these trying times when we could all use a good diversion.

That does sound like a fun read. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly’s books, here are some like to get you started.

Website: www.kellyoliverbooks.com

Link to High Treason at the Grand Hotel: https://kellyoliverbooks.com/fiona-figg-2-landing/

For a FREE copy of WOLF, A Jessica James Mystery, sign up for Kelly’s newsletter: https://hello.kaospress.com/welcome/

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
https://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Oliver/e/B001HN3HCM/ref=dbs_p_ebk_rwt_abau

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/kellyoliverauthor/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelly-oliver

Finding the Clues to Writing Mysteries: Author Interview with Eleanor Kuhns

What made you decide to write mysteries?

I’ve always enjoyed reading mysteries going as far back as being a child. I love Agatha Christie for her plotting. For a long time, my favorite author was Anne Perry. And I’m a fan of Barbara Hambly, who writes fantasy, science fiction, and mystery. Of the newer writers, I love Amy Stewart’s books.

When you first started writing your first book, did you intend to make it into a series?

I did intend to write a series. As a librarian, I know people love them. After I finished the first book, I could see I had not finished Will Rees's story.

What made you choose writing about the Shaker community in the 1700s?

I wanted to write historicals. On the way to visit my mother in Maine, we stopped at the Shaker community of Sabbathday Lake. Three living Shakers still live there. That started it.

You’ve done seven books in the Will Rees series. Will there be more? 

Will Rees number 8 (A Circle of Dead Girls) comes out next March. I am working on book nine and have ideas for several more. I also want to write a murder mystery series set in the Bronze Age in Crete.

What makes for a successful mystery?

How do you plot out your storyline?
Every mystery I write is different. Sometimes I know who the murderer is and plot accordingly. Other times, I discover him or her as I write.

How much time daily do you have for writing? What is your writing routine?
I write every day, usually in the early morning. I never seem to have enough time!

What is the best advice you’ve been given or learned about writing?

My advice to young writers is don't give up. Not all of us publish in our twenties.

That’s all for today’s interview. If you’d like to learn more about Eleanor’s writing, here is the link to her website: www.eleanor-kuhns.com

Either Give Up or Go On: An Interview with author, Anna Lee Huber

Your bio shows that you had an interest in writing even back in elementary school. Then it goes on to show your successes. Was your road to publishing easy like the plot of a Hallmark movie? Or did you have some hits and misses along the way?

I definitely had some hits and misses along the way. I completed five manuscripts over about seven years before the fifth one—The Anatomist’s Wife—was ever published. And I went through the querying process with all five. So that means there was a lot of rejection. But also a lot of encouragement.

I entered several contests, particularly those run by local chapters of RWA, and finaled or won a few of those contests, in addition to receiving invaluable feedback. I learned that I just had to keep learning and persevering, and to grow a backbone if I truly wanted to be an author.

How long did it take you to write your first book that was published?

It took me about a year to write The Anatomist’s Wife. I can’t even recall how many rewrites I did. Probably something like six or seven. And my writing group was invaluable in helping me. They still are my go-to gals for feedback and help.

You are currently a member of 5 writing groups. How do you divide your time with them? Is one more helpful than another?

Yes, I’m a member of five writers’ organizations. Most require very little of my time, as they are advocating groups for specific genres with certain benefits to paying members. However, I have volunteered in different ways to pay forward the assistance they have given me. I judge contests with Romance Writers of America and provide critiques.

I served on the board for Mystery Writers of America’s Midwest Chapter for two years. And I served as co-leader to Historical Novel Society’s Great Lakes Chapter for four years. I write cross-genres novels, which is why I’m a member of so many. And they all offer various benefits.

For aspiring authors who write in the mystery genre, I highly recommend joining Sisters in Crime’s Guppies Chapter. And for aspiring romance authors, RWA’s resources are invaluable.

How did you go about finding an agent/publisher?

I sent out query letters/emails. And I just kept at it until I had the right book and found the right fit with an agent. She handled landing my contracts with publishers. 

How do you go about plotting your mystery?

I use a modified version of the Snowflake Method (which you can Google), as well as some Character Development sheets I’ve tweaked using multiple sources over the years, and then create a semi-detailed outline, hitting all the major plot points of all the story arcs, but also leaving me some room for play and inspiration.

Do you pick the victim or the murderer first?

My characters often take me in directions I wasn’t necessarily expecting. As far as inspiration, it varies. Sometimes it’s a particular moment in or aspect of history, sometimes it’s a setting, sometimes there’s a certain type of victim or crime I want to pursue.

What is the hardest part of writing for you? Starting? Creating a scene?

I often struggle with the beginning. It’s such a crucial part of the story, and there’s also the factor of inertia to deal with. Once you can get going, often you can keep your momentum. But starting cold and trying to strike exactly the right tone and balance can be tricky.

What does your editor remind you to do most often?

In every manuscript, no matter how many times I’ve gone over it, they will find some word or motion or mannerism that gets overused. And it’s different every time! I agonized over it at first, but now I merely find it amusing. This is why you need the sharp eye of an editor, because my mind glosses over it, but it will stick out like a glaring red thumb to them.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

Readers who reach out to me to share some particular or special way one of my books has impacted them and made a difference in their lives. That means the world.

We have all experienced rejection. How have you learned to write past it?

I recognized that I can either give up or get on. And I don’t want to let something outside myself defeat me. I’m too stubborn for that, and I’ve worked too hard. So, I allow myself to grieve for a short while, eat a bit of chocolate, and then force myself to move on.

What has frustrated you the most in writing/publishing?

I'd say the timetable traditional publishers work on. I turn in a book to my editor almost a year before it’s scheduled for publication, and then the various rounds of edits take place over several months. And royalties are paid twice a year, sometimes ten months after they were collected. I would say the timetable aspect is also the most frustrating part. But you learn to adjust to it.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?

Not to sweat every little thing so much. If you’re lucky, it will be a long career, and sweating every little thing is simply too stressful. Be kind, work hard, do your best, and then remember to enjoy the ride.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

Not everyone will like your books, and that’s okay. No book has ever been written or will ever be written that everyone likes. We all have different tastes. And we should be grateful for that.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?

The next book is Penny for Your Secrets, Verity Kent Book 3, releases on Oct 29th. Here’s the synopsis:

England, 1919. Former British Intelligence agent Verity Kent is finding that life after wartime offers its own share of danger...

The Great War may be over, but for many, there are still obstacles on the home front. Reconciling with her estranged husband makes Verity sympathetic to her friend Ada's marital difficulties. Bourgeois-bred Ada recently married to the Marquess of Rockham, is overwhelmed trying to navigate the ways of the aristocracy. And when Lord Rockham is discovered shot through the heart with a bullet from Ada's revolver, Verity fears her friend has made a fatal blunder.

While striving to prove Ada's innocence, Verity is called upon for another favor. The sister of a former Secret Service colleague has been killed in what authorities believe was a home invasion gone wrong. The victim's war work—censoring letters sent by soldiers from the front—exposed her to sensitive, disturbing material.

Verity begins to suspect these two unlikely cases may be linked. But as the connections deepen, the consequences—not just for Verity, but for Britain—grow more menacing than she could have imagined.

Sounds like some good plot twists there! If you’d like to learn more about Anna’s books and how to buy them, here are some options:

Website: www.annaleehuber.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnnaLeeHuber

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-lee-huber

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5775520.Anna_Lee_Huber

When Doing Something Wrong, Goes Right: Author Interview with T E Kinsey

What made you decide to write your first novel?
I’ve dabbled with writing fiction all my adult life, so I actually don’t remember what made me decide to write – it was too long ago. What made me decide to finish writing a novel was the knowledge that thanks to the miracles of the modern world I would be able to get it out there for people to read.

I grew up knowing for absolute certain that getting a book published was impossible, it just wasn’t the sort of thing that people like me were able to do. But by the time I wrote the first Lady Hardcastle stories in 2014, self-publishing was properly established and properly respectable. It was entirely without risk and was an excellent way to find readers on my own terms.

How long did it take you to write your first book? 

The first book was originally a collection of four “episodes” (they were longer than short stories but shorter than novellas and four of them filled a book). They took me six months to write.

How many rewrites did you do on it?
I didn’t rewrite anything except for little tweaks here and there for style before I published. The second book was more of the same. It wasn’t until I signed with Thomas & Mercer at the beginning of 2016 that I thought of rewriting them, but then only to turn the “short” stories into novels (we did some cunning stuff to weave stories together to make a single narrative).

Are you active with any writing critique groups? 

I’m afraid I’m too self-conscious to join a writing group and don’t show work-in-progress to anyone, but I do read mostly thrillers and mysteries.

When I asked you about doing an interview, you said you did everything wrong. However, you’re now published your fifth book. So, you must be doing something right.  
When I say I did everything wrong, I genuinely mean it. I didn’t do any marketing. Or promotion (beyond the few tools offered by KDP). I didn’t hire an editor. I didn’t seek anyone’s advice at all. I just wrote what it entertained me to write, hit the Publish button and got on with writing the next thing. I’m pretty sure this isn’t the preferred path to success.

Did you ever want to give up on writing and getting it published?
I was never in a position to have to think about giving up on getting the books published because I never tried. Self-publishing was always Plan A. I didn’t approach any agents (I have a publisher now and they’ve bought six books from me… but I still don’t have an agent). I didn’t approach any publishers, either. I wrote my books for fun and let them do their own thing once they were out in the wild.

What was that process like? 
The original version of A Quiet Life in the Country (the “four episodes” one) was published in October 2014. The Spirit Is Willing (four more episodes) followed it in July 2015. They started doing properly well in August and September that year and that’s when they were spotted by a commissioning editor at Thomas & Mercer (an Amazon Publishing imprint). 

She contacted me at the end of November and by the middle of December, we’d signed a three-book deal: re-writes of the first two books to turn them into novels, and a third book which was already underway. These became A Quiet Life in the Country, In the Market for Murder, and Death Around the Bend.

So, for me, the “process” was “writing for fun while getting on with enjoying my day job, then suddenly receiving an email from a publisher out of the blue”. Like I said – I didn’t do anything right. 

What is the hardest part of writing for you? 
This is going to sound smug and awful, but I don’t actually find any of it hard. That’s not to say I think I’m brilliant at it, I just don’t find any of it bothersome or unpleasant. The bit I didn’t intuitively understand was plot structure, so I went out of my way to study that, but it turns out it’s not magic at all. 

Again, I’m probably doing it wrong. I follow lots of authors on Twitter and “struggle” seems to be a common theme whenever they talk about what they’re up to. I’m convinced I’m missing something.

Why did you choose the early 1900’s for your mysteries? 

The Lady Hardcastle series has to be set in the 1900s. The characters came before the books – they were developed for another project – and they only work if they live their lives before World War I. The original intention was to explore the relationship between employer and servant when there was only one of each and they were in a situation where they relied on each other for survival. Would the class barrier break down? So, they had to be Victorian or Edwardian and they had to be women (social taboos mean that Englishmen can never show affection for each other, no matter how close their friendship). 

I never did anything with that original idea, but when I came to write a murder mystery, I had a ready-made detective and sidekick, complete with a historical setting. 

Wouldn’t research be easier if you did contemporary novels?

Research is never a burden. I was a magazine journalist before I was a mystery writer, and I was a history student before that. Research is kind of what I do. There’s a sense, too, in which writing contemporary fiction needs just as much work if you want to make it feel “right,” don’t you think? 

What does your editor remind you to do most often?
Honestly? She reminds me to send her more photographs. Somehow, I got into the habit of photographing birds and wildlife in the garden and I often attach a photo to my emails. As for the writing, she tries to remind me to talk about the characters’ clothes more often and was instrumental in breaking my habit of writing long, rambling, multi-clause sentences. I’m still working on that one.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

I probably go to the wrong parties, but I’m not sure anyone ever properly “encouraged” me beyond telling me they enjoy what I do. That’s not to say that I’ve been discouraged, but nothing sticks in my mind.

Give me an example of how you learned to go beyond writing rejection.

Here’s the thing. Because I did it all wrong, I’ve never had to send my work to anyone for approval, so it’s never been rejected. I feel like I might be missing out on some important right of passage, but my wonky way of doing things means I haven’t had that experience.

What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing?
The biggest surprise was finding that writing full time really was as satisfying as I always hoped it would be. There’s always a fear, I think, that when a long-cherished daydream comes true, it won’t live up to expectations.

I anticipated bitter disappointment, but it turned out to be every bit as wonderful as I’d hoped. As Willy Wonka said, “And Charlie, don't forget about what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he ever wanted. He lived happily ever after.”

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
Honestly? Nothing. Learning to write is a lifelong thing and I’m content to let each new piece of knowledge and skill arrive at its own pace. Every time I try to pin one down as an example, I think, “No, but I couldn’t have understood that until I’d learned this…” I’m a work in progress. One brick at a time.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
I once read an article by Alan Bennett. He was talking about writing poetry, but it stuck in my mind as a piece of solid wisdom. “Half the job of learning to write is getting to know the sound of your own voice.” 

Find your voice. Get comfortable with it. Change it if you feel you have to, but eventually, you have to learn to love it. Then relax. Write like you want to write, not how you think other people want you to write.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add? 
Plan. It’s a personal choice, of course, but I do heartily recommend it. 

I see so many posts from people “struggling to wrangle this confusing jumble of ideas into a decent first draft”. I’ve listened to crime authors on panels at festivals saying things like, “I was three-quarters of the way through when I realized I was telling the story from the wrong point of view,” or, "the first draft was rubbish so I threw it away and rewrote it completely.”

I’m not sure I’ve ever got any of my books right the first time, but I try my hardest to make all my big mistakes at the planning stage. I’d rather throw out a four-page planning document that took me a week to write than a 300-page novel that took six months. 

When it comes to the actual writing, I’m free just to tell the story. It’s a story that I know works because I’ve already plotted it out. It has beats and plot points in all the right places because I put them there, ready to go. All I have to do is write.

It’s not as restrictive as people think, either. New ideas come along all the time, and the “yeah, well, I just go with the flow” method allows that. But so does the “plan it all out in advance” method. If I have a new idea, I know where I can put it, and I know what else has to be changed to accommodate it – it’s all there in the plan. 

Tell me about your latest book.
My latest book was just released on Kindle and as a digital audiobook from audible.com paperback and physical audiobook will be out on 15 May. It’s the fifth in the Lady Hardcastle Mysteries series and it’s called The Burning Issue of the Day. Emily and Flo are called upon by the local branch of the WSPU – the suffragettes – to prove the innocence of one of their members who has been arrested for the murder of a journalist in an arson attack. Adventures ensue.

Meanwhile, I’ve just submitted the final draft of the sixth book in the series. Our heroines go on a seaside holiday to Weston-Super-Mare but end up investigating the goings-on among their oddly suspicious fellow hotel guests. That’ll be out in the autumn.

For those who want to learn about your writing and what’s coming up next, how can they do that? 
I try my best to keep up a reasonable flow of news and information on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. There’s also some helpful stuff on my own website. And then there’s my Amazon author page, with handy links to all the books.

https://www.facebook.com/tekinsey/
https://twitter.com/TEKinsey
https://www.instagram.com/tekinseymysteries/
https://www.tekinsey.uk
https://www.amazon.com/T-E-Kinsey/e/B00O6Z2M4W/

Mystery Writing for Two: An Interview with Christa Nardi and Cassidy Salem

Today marks the beginning of my holiday-themed blog posts for the next two months. Fi This interview is with two authors who teamed up to write one book. Personally, I don’t know how I could co-write with someone else. Who would get the last word? But enough about me. Let’s get into the holiday spirit with this interview!

How did you come up with the idea of your Thanksgiving themed book?  

We both grew up with Nancy Drew and the Dana Girls books. We wanted to create a mystery with two sisters as the main characters, each with a different voice. 

Could you give me a short synopsis on the story for my readers?

Hannah and Tamar are looking forward to spending the Thanksgiving break with their grandparents. On the long ride to Vermont, the sisters are quick to offer assistance when a fellow passenger – a girl in her late teens – is hassled by a rough-looking young man.

Grateful as she may be for their help, Gwen is in no hurry to make friends, not even as she thrusts a mysterious package into Tamar’s hand and disappears in the Rutland train station. Puzzled by her behavior, Hannah and Tamar set out to locate Gwen and unravel the secret of the mysterious package.

What made you decide to do a Thanksgiving themed book?

We wanted to write a family-friendly mystery. It was a natural to have a family focus around that holiday. 

What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving traditions?

Too much food? Honestly, I think Thanksgiving was the only time we had turkey and the meat stuffing my mother used to make, which is very different from any bread stuffing I've ever had.

What’s next? 

The Mysterious Package is the first in a series.  What's next? Book 5 is a work in progress.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given that you’d like to share?

Don't think it has to be perfect to begin with. The hardest part is getting the ideas down. So write, knowing you will re-write, probably many times before you're done.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

All that is involved in marketing and using social media is a definite challenge. We've learned a lot about it along the way, but it changes so quickly it is hard to keep up.

Any last words or tips?

There are a lot of author groups and writing resources - find the ones that work best for you.

That’s it for today’s interview. If you’d like to learn more about this book and the series, here is a link to give you access to a sample of the story http://smarturl.it/MysPkg

I’d love to hear some of your Thanksgiving traditions, just add them below. 

Dividing your Writing Time: An Interview with Emma Cyrus

I can tell by the long list of favorite authors that you are an avid reader. What made you decide to be the one to tell the story rather than read it?

My schooling and business career required me to do a lot of writing over the years – of all kinds except fiction – so I’ve felt confident in putting my work in front of others. Then, eight years ago, the first chapter of Life Without Shoes just sort of presented itself. I started keeping research notes in OneNote, and then began taking writing courses in 2015.

How long did it take you to write the first book? How many rewrites did you do on it?

By early 2016, I committed to finishing the book and wrote THE END in November of that year. I gave the manuscript to several BETA readers in January of 2017 and then went through two cycles of revision during the spring. I delivered the manuscript to the copy editor in May, incorporated her edits over the summer, and finalized both the Kindle and print versions during the fall. In conjunction with a book marketing consultant, I set the publication date for Tuesday, November 28 and began preparing all the promotional content – website, FB page, etc.

Who helped you with the editing?

I had a mentor at Gotham Writers Workshop who critiqued me all the way through, and I found the copy editor online. I picked her because she’d edited two favorite mystery authors.

Could you give me a short synopsis of your novel, Life Without Shoes?

Early one morning, Father Ambrose, the Abbot of New Life Ecumenical Retreat, sees a trash bag being dumped in one of their orchards. When one of his young monks goes to pick it up, he discovers a dismembered body in the bag. Ambrose calls Sheriff Charlie Cormley, and the investigation begins. For a time, suspicion rests on New Life, and Ambrose must commit himself to proving their innocence.

That’s quite a grisly find at a retreat center that should be calming and serene. Sounds like a good set-up! Prior to writing this novel, what other writings have you published?

As mentioned above, I wrote extensively during my professional career, including marketing and business plans, academic papers, employee handbooks, project reports, grant applications and so forth.

I’ve helped other authors with their work, including websites and marketing, but Shoes is the only fiction I’ve published.

Other than the name and Facebook page, I can’t find any info on your publisher, Square Root Press. Is this your company?

Square Root Press is my own company. We’ve published two textbooks and two video courses on sustainability, as well as marketing and website support for that author. Shoes is the only fiction work so far.

What is the hardest part of writing for you? Creating a scene? Dialog? Tension?

I’ve started writing the next book in the series and am working hard to improve on my first book. The issues I’m working on are better character delineation, faster pace, and shifting the dialogue/narration balance toward greater physical activity/behaviors in each scene. Just trying to make those shifts takes longer than the “seat of the pants” process of Shoes.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

My BETA readers were both supportive and helpful. I was able to use their feedback right away to improve the book. My ARC readers were also very encouraging. My current mentor (different from the one for Shoes) is skillful in giving me constructive criticism while communicating his enthusiasm for my work as well. And I wouldn’t have gone on to finish Shoes if I hadn’t received positive feedback from fellow students in eight different Gotham courses.

We have all experienced rejection. Give me an example of how you learned to write past it.

For me, the most painful “rejections” have been negative reviews – Amazon, Goodreads – especially when the reviewer seemed intent on discrediting the positive reviews, i.e. “I don’t know who these positive reviewers are, but trust me, they are ignorant fools.” I also contracted for a Kirkus Review and, although they embedded positive verbiage in their blurb, the tagline was indifferent and not easily used in my marketing materials. Still, the negatives have given me a lot of insight into what needed to be improved, and the second book will be better as a result.

What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing?

I entered the marketplace at a point where the competition simply exploded. I learn about new authors – high-quality authors – every day. It’s hard to be visible in such a crowd. I’ve also been surprised by the success of some new authors whose work really isn’t up to snuff. I wonder how they’ve managed to get an agent and a publisher interested.

What frustrates you the most? 

What’s most frustrating is finding enough time to work on the second book and market the first. I have MS and it doesn’t allow me to get stressed out working 80 hours a week.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?

“Know” and know are two different things. I think I had an intellectual grasp of “the craft” while I was writing Shoes, but now I know what it means to keep developing my skills, studying, re-working in each of the dimensions that make up good fiction.

I’ve started writing reviews of other mystery books on my blog, and I’m amazed to see how even some of the “greats” are off their game some of the time. It is never easy; there’s always room for improvement.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

I recently had a book passed on to me called Stein on Writing by Sol Stein, published in 1995. I’ve been soaking up his ideas like a dry sponge. It’s likely someone else’s work will strike me strongly at another point in my journey.

Which takes me to the advice I would give – keep learning while you’re writing. One author I watched in an interview said she divided her time into thirds – creative writing, studying the craft and reading books in her genre. I’d add a fourth – nurturing relationships with the fan base, as some of the best ideas for improvement come from readers.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?

I think commitment, discipline, and a thick/thin skin are key. This is a business like any other, and those qualities are necessary for surviving with good humor in the rough-and-tumble of the business world.

I hope there will be more books with Father Ambrose. If you would like to buy Emma’s book or learn about her next one, here are two ways to do just that

Her website: www.emmacyrus.com  Facebook page: @EmmaCyrusBooks