Charleston Conundrum Book Blog Tour and #Giveaway #LoneStarLit

Link to the YouTube Video

How has being a Texan influenced your writing?

I was born in Hawaii, grew up moving around, but consider myself a Texan through and through. I’ve lived in Texas for 40+ years. I love the friendly nature of Texans and the South in general.

 

Has Texas influenced your writing in any way?

Absolutely, my Texas experiences influenced the friendly feel of the main character’s neighborhood in Charleston Conundrum.

 

Why did you choose to write mysteries?

My love of mysteries began with Nancy Drew and Harriet the Spy. I also loved the cartoon Scooby-Doo growing up. I enjoy other genres, but mysteries are always my go-to. I’m very curious by nature, and a good mystery satisfies my inquisitive mind.

 

Are you a full-time or part-time writer?  How does that affect your writing?

Part-time. I still have my day job. I write when I have time, usually mornings and weekends.

 

What kind(s) of writing do you do?

Journaling, poetry, mysteries, and children’s stories…so far.

 

What do you think most characterizes your writing?

Definitely a spiritual journey for me.

 

How do you write? Any backstory to your choice?

I use a laptop. I have three ring binders with information about each character, including birthdays, physical characteristics, quirks, etc. for each book in the series.

 

What made you decide to write a series? Any unexpected hurdles in doing this?

Charleston Conundrum is the first book in the Conundrum series. Honestly, I can’t say that I decided to write it. The ideas just came and refused to be ignored. One challenge is doing justice to describing the amazing tourist destinations. Carmel Conundrum is the next destination in the series.

 

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

Editing was the hardest part. Since this is my first novel, I had so much to learn and I got stuck trying to self-edit. Hiring professional help made a huge difference. 

 

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

My favorite parts of the journey have been writing the story and connecting with readers. It’s also been very satisfying to write checks to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), my charity of choice for Charleston Conundrum.

 

How do you decide if your main character will be male or female?

No brainer. Writing from the point of view of Liz was natural.

 

How important are names to you in your books? How do you choose names?

Names are critical and I changed some of my characters’ names several times which can be an editing challenge. For me, the name needs to be memorable for the reader and fit the character. I don’t have a set formula for choosing names. Some of my friends asked that their names be in the book. I also used Google.

 

Do you now or have you ever considered writing under a pen name? Why or why not?

I did decide to write under a pen name. It was a hard decision and difficult to choose a pen name. My last name is not conducive for writing children’s stories.

 

In researching this book, did you learn any unexpected, unusual, or fascinating information?

I would hate for anyone to look at my search history on my laptop! I had a reader ask me how I came up with my descriptions. When I’m struggling with a description, for example, what the main character, Liz, is wearing or what she might order in a restaurant, I Google images.

 

Do you have any research rabbit-hole stories? 

Not really around the story itself but definitely around the process of self-publishing. I’m a member of League of Romance Writers and Sisters in Crime. When I recognize that I’m stuck, I reach out to other authors for advice.

 

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I did have an opportunity to work with a publisher, but I ultimately decided to self-publish. My primary motivation was to get the book out sooner rather than later. I have some special people in my life who are getting older, and I wanted them to have a copy of the book. I also wanted the book to be out before a big birthday (not to be mentioned). In hindsight, as frustrating as the process was at times, it was also a lot of fun. I love learning and there is a lot to learn when you self-publish.

 

What did you find most useful in learning to write for publication? 

Entering a contest. Connecting with other authors who have experience. I’ve found the writing community to be very gracious.

 

Did you first experience rejections when submitting this manuscript for publication?

I lost, by 1.5 points, a contest that I entered. We were judged in multiple categories and the prize was a publishing contract. It was a blessing in disguise for me. The book would have been released after that big birthday. My cover and manuscript placed first in their respective categories which encouraged me to move forward. A big plus was that I really bonded with the other authors in the competition, and we still keep in touch.

 

What one or two pieces of advice would you offer any not-yet-published authors?

Set goals and follow through. Connect with other authors. Persevere.

 

Do you have a mantra for writing and/or for life?

Both my husband and I are huge Notre Dame fans. To borrow from the Irish, “Play like a champion, today.” Venture out there, and give it your best.

 

What is something you want to accomplish before you die?

I would love to travel to Ireland and experience falconry. At one point, I wanted to jump out of a plane. As I age, I’m not so sure that’s a great idea. I did do the indoor skydiving experience with my mom which was really fun.