#WriterWednesday Interview with Laraine Stephens
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I’d like to welcome author Laraine Stephens to the blog for #WriterWedneday.
A few of your favorite things: my granddaughter, Ellie; champagne; chocolate; the Melbourne Football Club (Aussie Rules); my maladjusted red toy poodle who thinks she’s a Rottweiler.
Things you need to throw out: my golf handicap; my maladjusted red toy poodle who thinks she’s a Rottweiler; COVID lockdowns.
Things you love about writing: researching the setting and time period of my historical crime novels.
Things you hate about writing: coming up with a plot line for my next book and how to start it.
Things you never want to run out of: Epicure cheese; champagne; chocolate; re-runs of Frazier and House Hunters International.
Things you wish you’d never bought: that pair of electric blue bell-bottoms that I wore in 1966.
Favorite music or song: The Rolling Stones’ “Start me up”. I want it played at my funeral.
Music that drives you crazy: the Police’s “Canary in a coal mine”. Grrr.
Favorite beverage: champagne and tea, but not mixed together.
Something that gives you a sour face: wasabi and chilli.
Something you’re really good at: putting things in alphabetical order (former teacher-librarian). This is a talent that isn’t called on much.
Something you’re really bad at: being patient; going to the dentist (appalling gag reflex).
Things you always put in your books: authentic settings; fabulous cars.
Things you never put in your books: sex, blood and guts.
Things to say to an author: “I didn’t want it to end.”
Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: “Here’s $1000 for me to be fictionally killed off in your next book.” No problem.
Favorite places you’ve been: Egypt; the Galapagos; Iceland; Machu Picchu.
Places you never want to go to again: anywhere with mosquitoes.
People you’d like to invite to dinner (living): Adrian McKinty (author); Mick Jagger (singer) and Jacinda Ardern (New Zealand Prime Minister).
People you’d cancel dinner on: Scott Morrison (Australian Prime Minister); Donald Trump; Prince Harry and Meghan.
Things that make you happy: Melbourne Football Club winning; playing golf; travel; restaurants; writing (of course!).
Things that drive you crazy: dust on the furniture; things not symmetrical.
The nicest thing a reader said to you: “I’m buying three copies of your book: one for myself, and two as birthday presents.”
The craziest thing a reader said to you: “Did you base your psychopath on anyone I know?” he said, looking over his shoulder.
About Laraine:
After nearly forty years of working as a teacher-librarian and Head of Library, Laraine Stephens decided to experience life on the other side of the bookshelves and became a writer of historical crime fiction. Her debut novel, The Death Mask Murders, the first in the Reggie da Costa Mysteries, was published in June 2021. The second in the series, A Dose of Death, is due out in May 2022. When she isn’t writing, travelling or playing golf, Laraine finds inspiration from her work as a volunteer guide at the Old Melbourne Gaol. Laraine lives in Beaumaris, a bayside suburb of Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, Bob, and her maladjusted red toy poodle, Zoe.
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