I’d like to welcome author, E. W. Cooper to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite things: Books, dinner with family, my kids, and a glass of wine with husband after a long day of work. But most of all, time with my family listening to their stories about the past and present.

Things you need to throw out: All those clothes from college I’ve convinced myself I will fit into again.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Time, music, and a good idea of where I need to get to in the story.

Things that hamper your writing: Sometimes I just run out of words. That will stop my work cold. That’s when I focus on reading and replenishing that reservoir of ideas.

Things you love about writing: I love the scenes I see inside my head taking shape on the page and hearing the characters talk to each other. Sometimes what they say and do is unexpected. When that happens, I can barely tear myself away.

Things you hate about writing: Editing feels like it can go on forever which can become discouraging. When that happens it’s important for me to remember that the better a book is edited, the better it is for a reader. That’s the goal, after all.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Finding the time to write.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Coming up with ideas for Penelope and Lund is about as easy as it gets. I have the next four books plotted, just not enough time to write them.

Favorite music or song: I love opera, like my main character Penelope Harris, but I listen to all sorts of music new and old. Favorite music from an opera – the “Barrcarolle” from Tales of Hoffman, favorite classic rock “Rock and Roll Suicide” by David Bowie, favorite modern song “Uncle ACE” by Blood Orange.

Music that drives you crazy: Easy listening jazz. Please, no. Sorry Kenny G.

Favorite beverage: Unsweet iced tea – can’t get enough of it. I love it so much, but it keeps me awake all night, so I’ve had to cut back. Unless I’m writing – then I drink it by the gallon.
Something that gives you a sour face: Buttermilk – it makes a great cake but ick!

Favorite smell: Baking bread
Something that makes you hold your nose: Pancake syrup mixed with bacon. Strange but true – I can’t stand the smell of those two things together.

Something you’re really good at: Writing
Something you’re really bad at: Singing – don’t even ask me to try. I am so bad at singing it isn’t even a good joke. No one who has asked me to sing has ever asked me to do it again. Perhaps that’s why my main character is an opera singer – she does what I always wish I could?

Last best thing you ate: Chocolate cake
Last thing you regret eating: That chocolate cake

Favorite places you’ve been: My mother grew up on Long Island, New York and introduced me to it when I was a baby. It’s a little slice of heaven for me. I go back as often as I can to visit family and restore. Santa Fe, NM is a close second.

Places you never want to go to again: I once spent a very uncomfortable and spooky night on a derelict sailboat and I will never do that again.

Favorite books (or genre): Historical mysteries are my favorite, but I have a soft spot for speculative fiction and noir thrillers.

Books you wouldn’t buy: Sadly, I do not enjoy poetry. That is not the fault of poetry. But otherwise, I will read just about anything. My mother is a retired librarian and always has something new to read. We do a lot of book trading between our households.

The coolest person you’ve ever met: Cate Blanchette – she was so friendly and happy. And did I mention – drop dead beautiful? A class act.

The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video: Johnny Depp – really not what I expected at all. He was a very long stretch of bad road. Oddly, he spoke with a British accent the entire time.

About E. W.:

Booklife Prize 2020 Finalist (Mystery/Thriller) E.W. Cooper lives quietly with her partner, children, three dogs, and one cat in a very noisy house in South Texas. A lifelong fan of mystery novels and Grand Opera, Ms. Cooper is hard at work on the next book in the Penelope Harris Mystery series. To read more about the author and the other short stories and novels featuring Penelope Harris, visit her website at www.ewcooper.com.

Let’s Be Social:

Roll up of everywhere The Jade Tiger is sold: https://books2read.com/thejadetiger

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

Twitter: E (@ewc_cooper) / Twitter

Instagram: EW Cooper (@ew.cooper) • Instagram photos and videos

Website: www.ewcooper.com