What genres do you write?
Mystery
Where do you get your ideas?
All over really. Things I see in the news, some small event that
happens in my life that sparks an idea, something someone says.
How do you come up with your characters?
My main character in my first 2 books developed over time-starting with
her career and just developing from there as I worked on different plot
ideas. The main character in the new book developed through a series of
short stories. Often I will take a certain interesting character trait
of someone I know and then develop the character from there.
Are they based on real people or pure imagination?
A little of both really
What books do you have planned for the near future?
I have a third book in my Alexandra Walters gospel music mystery series
already finished, and hope to have it out later this year. I have also
written a children's picture book about animals which I hope will turn
into a series. But what I'm actually writing right now is something
different that I think will surprise people-but that's all I'm going to
say about it for now.
When is your next book due out?
My latest book, DEADLY DISCRIMINATION, came out in December of 2003 and
I'm hoping the next in my series, OUT OF TUNE, will be out later this year.
Can we have a sneak summary?
Well let me give you a summary of the new book, DEADLY DISCRIMINATION:
Pastor Mike Raffles thinks when he moves to Kingsbury, California that he
has found himself a quiet little farming town that will give him a much
simpler life than what he knew growing up in New Orleans. He soon learns he's
wrong when a local businessman is murdered. Then when a young friend is accused
of that murder, Mike takes it upon himself to find the truth with the help
of his best friend, PI Stephen Carlucci. But he is even more shocked by the
scandal, dark secrets and horrible discrimination they uncover among the people
of Kingsbury, and even some of his own parishioners. Will Mike be able to
find a killer, teach a young man not all Christians are hypocrites, and restore
peace within his own church? Or will he lose everything he cares about by
standing up against a kind of discrimination he didn't realize existed within
the church?
Do you have any book signings/appearances in the future?
Yes. I will be appearing at our local library here in Reedley, CA this
Saturday. I have some other CA library events coming up and an
appearance at Mysterious Galaxy in March.
What do you feel makes your books unique or stand out from others in
your genre?
They present some different settings and types of characters than I
have ever seen in a mystery before. In the series my main character is a
gospel singer and I don't believe that world has ever been explored
before. In the new book it features a small town preacher whose best
friend is the son of a mafia don-makes for a different twist.
Do you have a special subgenre and if so what is it?
My latest book could crossover to Christian fiction.
Do you have a favorite place that you like to write?
Just whenever and where ever I have time. But most of the time I write
in the kitchen. I've always felt like kitchens were the most homey part
of any home.
In what order do you write? (Beginning to End; combining parts; in
random order; development cycle).
I start from the beginning and go straight through the first time. The
first draft is almost like an outline for me.
Do you feel that the ebook industry affords authors a bit more freedom of
expression in their books?
I think ebook companies give many authors a chance at getting their
unique voices out there that perhaps the traditional publishers don't.
Traditional publishers often seem to have a certain idea of what type of
book they want-which limits an authors freedom
What do you like about what is/isn't being done to promote authors?
I think authors could generally use a little more promotional support
from their publishers.
Do you think that marketing departments have their "fingers on the pulse
of readers?"
Most of the time-no.
In what kind of venues can we find your books?
They are at most of the online bookstores-Amazon, Barnes and Noble.com,
some libraries and can be special ordered from most bookstores. You can
also order them directly from the publisher at PublishAmerica.com
What do you feel is the best aspect of the Publishing Industry?
Giving people the chance to share with the world what they have to say
What do you feel could stand to be "tweaked" so to speak?
I think traditional publishers need to have more of an open mind as to
what may sell. Stick their knecks out once in awhile and be willing to
publish things that don't necessarily fit into a particular niche.
With the rise of the E-book publishers and small press, do you think
they will be the wave of the future?
I think their will always be both. Small press and E-book publishers
give more authors a chance to get out there because traditional
publishers can only publish so many books and the competition is fierce.
How do you think the E-book industry has affected the Publishing industry?
Hopefully it has opened them up to more possiblities and technology in
the industry.
Is there anything else you would like to add that we haven't covered?
Just that I hope that whomever reads my books walks away having enjoyed
themselves-if so, then I am happy.
