#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Martha Reed

I’d like to welcome my friend and fellow Writers Who Kill author, Martha Reed, to the blog today for #ThisorThatThursday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Starting a new story. Even after completing five mystery novels in two different series, I still open the new blank page and wonder: What am I going to pull together to cover 85,000 words?

Easiest thing about being a writer: The rush I feel when editing the second draft, when the plot points and story arcs are solidly knitting together, and I know I’ve got a grip on something special.

Things you need for your writing sessions: I work best in a quiet space like my office or a library conference room. Virginia Woolf said we need a room of our own (with a door). She was right.

Things that hamper your writing: YouTube videos are lethal rabbit holes. I can disappear down them for hours. I have only myself to blame.

A few of your favorite things: Blisteringly hot dark roast coffee first thing in the morning while watching the mist rise off the Allegheny River and travelling to new and exotic places.

Things you need to throw out: Honestly, my workout gym clothes need to go.

Favorite foods: Almost anything, well prepared, with one exception (*see below).

Things that make you gag: *Lobster. One bad lobster experience scarred me for life. Which is ironic, seeing that I’m the author of the John and Sarah Jarad Nantucket Mysteries and every time I visit New England friends try to feed me a mud bug as a special treat.

Something you’re really good at: Travel plans. I love creating itineraries, finding hotel deals and exciting sightseeing destinations.

Something you’re really bad at: Grammar rules. Call the grammar police. I’ve never grasped the intricacies of grammar rules. Guilty as charged, your Honor.

Favorite music or song: I love disco music because it’s so upbeat. I listen to an hour of disco music during my hour walk each morning. It sets an optimistic tone for the rest of my day.

Music that drives you crazy: Jazz fusion is too squeaky and mathematical. I know the musicians are communicating with each other through the notes, but it sounds like something is wrong with the microwave oven.

Things you always put in your books: One consistent theme is finding a new sense of home and family.

Things you never put in your books: Torture porn. I think some writers use torture porn because they’re bored with writing the story and it spurs their flagging interest. It’s a cheap and brittle storytelling tool that cheats an intelligent reader.

Things to say to an author: I loved reading your new book. I told my book club we should read it next, and I’ve already posted an Amazon/Goodreads review.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I gave your new book a one star rating on Amazon because I don’t like your Facebook posts.

People you’d like to invite to dinner: How about this fabulous foursome: Stanley Tucci, Felicity Blunt, Emily Blunt, and John Krasinski. How much fun would this dinner be!

People you’d cancel dinner on: He Who Shall Not Be Named, who is fouler than lobster.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: I was in a really dark place. Your book helped me climb out of it.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: I want to write a book someday, but I don’t have the spare time like you do.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: I’ve painted wall murals.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: I’ve tried painting a heron standing in shallow water. The reflection was supposed to be mirrored like silver, but it turned out bright orange. I still haven’t gotten that painting exactly right.

About Martha:

Martha Reed is a multi-award-winning crime fiction author. Her short story, “The Honor Thief,” was included in This Time For Sure, the Anthony Award-winning Bouchercon 2021 anthology. Her first Crescent City NOLA Mystery, Love Power won a 2021 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award and features Gigi Pascoe, a transgender sleuth. Martha is also the author of the Independent Publisher IPPY Book Award-winning John and Sarah Jarad Nantucket Mystery series. Visit her website www.reedmenow.com for more.

Let’s Be Social:

website: www.reedmenow.com

Facebook: Martha Reed

Twitter/X: @ReedMartha

#WriterWednesdayInterview with Sue Minix

I’d like to welcome the fabulous Sue Minix back to the blog to talk about some of her favorite (and not so favorite) things for #WriterWedneday!

Favorite thing to do when you have free time:

I love to read and watch movies.

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list:

I hate to clean the house!

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave:

Coffee or tea depending on the time of day and my dog by my side.

Things that distract you from writing:

Whichever TV series I’m binge-watching.

Hardest thing about being a writer:

Getting the words on the screen.

Easiest thing about being a writer:

Making up the story.

Favorite snacks:

Chocolate, ice cream, and cookies.

Things that make you want to gag:

Rare steak.

Something you’re really good at:

Procrastinating!

Something you’re really bad at:

Writing on a schedule.

Favorite things to do:

Read, watch TV, watch movies, go hiking with my dog.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing:

Clean the house, go to a party, make a video starring me.

The most exciting thing about your writing life:

Seeing my books in a bookstore.

The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life:

I wouldn’t quit writing every time someone didn’t fawn over my work.

The nicest thing a reader said to you:

I love this series! I can’t wait for the next book to come out.

The craziest thing a reader said to you:

You’re pigeonholing women by calling the librarian character’s dress a “librarian frock.”

Best piece of advice you received from another writer:

Your dialogue is stilted. Try to make it more natural.

Something you would tell a younger you about your writing:

Don’t quit!!!

Recommendations for curing writer’s block:

Read books in your genre. They can trigger ideas you can use in your own work.

Things you do to avoid writing:

Read and watch TV.

About Sue:

Sue is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the Crime Writer's Association. When she isn't writing, you can find her reading, watching old movies, or hiking the New Mexico desert with her furry best friend.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: www.sueminixauthor.com

Facebook, Instagram, Threads: sueminixauthor.com

You've Written a Book. Now What?

All the tasks that go into writing, revising, and marketing a book can be overwhelming. I’ve broken down some of the key tasks with some ideas for new (or seasoned) writers.

What You Need to Get Started

• A Professional Headshot – Selfies won’t give you the quality you need for these to appear correctly in print or digitally.

• Your Biography (For your website, you may want to have a short one and a longer one.)

• A Short Description of Your Book (Back cover text)

• A URL and a Site to Host Your Website

• A Newsletter/Email Marketing Service

• Digital Images of Your Book Covers

While You’re Writing/Revising Your Manuscript

• Make your work the best it can be.

• Create a list of book promotion ideas (e.g. blog tours, blogs to guest on, Facebook reader sites, etc.).

• Start collecting email addresses for your newsletter list.

• Build your social media following. This takes time.

• Build or update your website/blog.

• Find your crew. Writing is solitary, buy you need collaboration from time to time. Find a writers’ group, critique group, or writing partner for feedback and networking.

Remember the Social Part of Social Media

• Update your key sites regularly. If possible, schedule your posts to ensure that you have fresh content.

• Be Social/Be Active. Celebrate with others. Make sure to like and comment. Respond to comments on your page.

• It takes time to build a following.

• Be genuine.

• Remember the 80/20 rule. Only 20% (or less) of your posts should be about “buy my book.”

• Don’t let your social media time take over your writing time.

While You’re Querying

• There is a lot of waiting while you query agents or publishers.

• Work on your next book.

• Build your social media platforms and followers.

• Collect email addresses.

• Update your website.

• Start your blog. You don’t have to have a book published to start this, and it’s a way to drive traffic to your website.

• Work on your newsletter.

• Build your connections.

Before Your Book Launch

• Create a calendar with all your due dates.

• Contact book reviewers when you have your ARCs (Advance Reader Copies).

• Schedule blog tours.

• Schedule Facebook takeovers/parties online.

• Reach out to libraries and bookstores.

• Write press releases and target media outlets to send them to.

• Create a list of newsletters that have member news sections and make sure to announce your new book (e.g. alumni, neighborhood groups, and places of worship).

• Tell everyone you know

• Plan your launch on social media.

• Update all your bios.

• Add book cover to your sites.

• Make bookmarks and other swag.

It takes a lot of energy and creativity to write AND market a book. Figure out your schedule and your budget and find a way to keep the myriad of tasks and due dates organized. What would you add to my list?

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Paula Charles

I’d like to welcome the fabulous Paula Charles to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Things you need for your writing sessions:

A big glass of water and a tube of hand lotion

Things that hamper your writing:

I can’t listen to music when I’m writing. My little brain gets distracted too easily.

Favorite music or song:

I was raised on country music and even though I listen to a wide variety of music, older country is still my favorite.

Music that drives you crazy:

“Bro country.” You can keep it and give me some Alabama and George Strait any day.

Favorite smell:

Baking bread. Yum!

Something that makes you hold your nose:

Cinnamon! Don’t get me wrong, it smells wonderful but I’m super allergic. It makes it hard to go shopping during the holiday season because the scent of cinnamon is everywhere!

Last best thing you ate:

I made a cherry cranberry pie last weekend, and it was delicious!

Last thing you regret eating:

A bag of microwave popcorn. It was good in the moment but is haunting me today.

Things you’d walk a mile for:

A good cup of coffee. (Has anybody else noticed a bunch of my answers revolve around food?)

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room:

Spiders and yellow jackets!

Things you always put in your books:

Easter eggs such as family names and funny moments that my family will recognize.

Things you never put in your books:

Open door, bodice ripping romance.

Things to say to an author:

I preordered your book! Can’t wait to read it!

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book:

Still got your head in that book? (Usually said when person doesn’t believe you’re really writing a book.)

Favorite places you’ve been:

Ireland! It was pure magic and felt like going home to a place I’d never been before.

Places you never want to go to again:

Las Vegas. It’s not like I hated it, just don’t necessarily need to go again.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done:

Probably knitting. I’ve done a lot of crafty type things, but knitting is probably the one I’m best at.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it:

Well, except for a blanket I knit for my son. I knit and knit and knit and the darn thing ended up long and narrow. It was about six feet long and two feet wide.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books:

The basics of my main character, Dawna, in Hammers and Homicide are based off of my grandmother. She ran a hardware store in my hometown and lived in the house I used as inspiration in the book. Dawna quickly became her own person, though, and shares very little traits with my grandmother.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not:

Probably the fact that Dawna is a terrible cook. I actually enjoy cooking and am pretty darn good at it, if I do say so myself!

About Paula:

When Paula Charles isn’t writing under the towering trees of the Pacific Northwest, she can be found in the garden with her hands in the dirt or sitting on her front porch with a good book and a glass of iced tea. She has a love for small towns, ghost stories, and pie. During her childhood, she grew up in a town suspiciously resembling the fictional Pine Bluff, Oregon where she trailed behind her grandmother in the family’s hardware store until her grandmother would get fed up and put her to work counting nails. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, and also writes cozy mysteries under the pen name of Janna Rollins. Paula lives on a small farm in Southwestern Washington with her husband and an entire menagerie of furry and feathered creatures. 

 When Paula Charles isn’t writing under the towering trees of the Pacific Northwest, she can be found in the garden with her hands in the dirt or sitting on her front porch with a good book and a glass of iced tea. She has a love for small towns, ghost stories, and pie. During her childhood, she grew up in a town suspiciously resembling the fictional Pine Bluff, Oregon where she trailed behind her grandmother in the family’s hardware store until her grandmother would get fed up and put her to work counting nails. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, and also writes cozy mysteries under the pen name of Janna Rollins. Paula lives on a small farm in Southwestern Washington with her husband and an entire menagerie of furry and feathered creatures. 

 Let’s Be Social:

Website: Cozy Mystery Writer | Paula Charles Cozy Mystery Author

Facebook: Paula Charles & Janna Rollins, Author

Instagram:  paulacharles_jannarollins

Website: Cozy Mystery Writer | Paula Charles Cozy Mystery Author

Facebook: Paula Charles & Janna Rollins, Author

Instagram:  paulacharles_jannarollins

In Honor of International Hat Day - The Many Hats of a Writer

Happy International Hat Day! When I decided that I wanted to be a writer in elementary school, my vision was to write books and cash royalty checks. Until the first book contract arrived, I had no idea of all the aspects of the job. Here are a few things I learned along the way…

Always Wear Your Helmet

• Vet all publication and representation offers.

• Make sure you have a contract (even for work for hire).

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Research Is Important

• Even fiction writers need to do research.

• Do your homework for your writing and your business.

• Check all your facts.

• Keep good notes.

• Vet your resources.

Just Write

• BICFOK (Butt in Chair - Fingers on Keyboard)

• Focus your attention and write.

• Set writing goals that work for you to help you stay on track.

• Finish your first draft.

Editing is the Most Important Part

• Proofread and then proofread again.

• Fact check your work for inconsistencies.

• Read as a reader. Is the story captivating? (If you’re bored reading it, your readers will be, too.)

• Find a critique partner or group for feedback.

• Use your word processor’s read aloud function to listen to the text, especially dialog.

• Edit. Revise. Repeat.

• Make sure that your work is the best it can be.

Marketing is Expected

• Create your platform (website, blog, socials, newsletter).

• Build your social media and newsletter list followings. It takes time.

• Know who your readers are and what social media platform they use.

• Promotion is expensive. Figure out what works for you and set a budget.

Find Your Crew

• Network with other writers.

• Join writers’ groups.

• Volunteer.

• Go to conferences and workshops.

• Join online groups.

And always celebrate your wins!

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Cindy Goyette

I’d like to welcome Cindy Goyette to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Things you need for your writing sessions: I need the TV on. Doesn’t matter what’s on, but I can’t write in silence and music doesn’t cut it for me. But if I’m on a plane, the background noise is good enough. I also need water, maybe a candle burning.

Things that hamper your writing: I can’t write late in the day. My mind just goes blank.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Now that I’m about to be published, I have to say marketing. I hate putting myself out there and don’t feel comfortable talking in large groups. But it’s essential, so I’m working on getting over it.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Second drafts. I love cleaning up a first draft. First drafts are the second hardest thing about being a writer by the way.

Things you always put in your books: Dogs. My debut doesn’t have many, but everything else I’ve written does.

Things you never put in your books: cruelty to animals. I can’t stand to even think about it.

Things to say to an author: I loved your book, I can’t wait to read your book, you’re so talented. I could go on, but you get the drift. Stroke our ego!

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: You should write a book about…, I could write a book if only…

Favorite places you’ve been: My absolute favorite place is The San Juan Islands. It’s so peaceful and if you’re lucky, you can see orcas from land.

Places you never want to go to again: Laughlin, Nevada. Sounds crazy since my book takes place in Phoenix, but I’m not a huge fan of the desert.

Favorite books (or genre): I like a lot of things, but my favorites are mystery, suspense, and thrillers. I do read some literary fiction and some non-fiction.

Books you wouldn’t buy: Books about sports. But I’m open to almost anything if it holds my interest.

People you’d like to invite to dinner: Oh, so many. Bono, Alice Hoffman, Rachel Maddow… I could go on.

People you’d cancel dinner on: Not to get political, but most politicians.

Favorite things to do: Write, of course. I like working out at Orange Theory Fitness, hiking, spending time with my family and dogs, reading, watching a good series on TV with my husband.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: I used to teach behind the wheel driving. I’d eat bugs to never do it again!

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Probably completing the police academy and being a cop.

Something you chickened out from doing: I’ve turned around on hikes due to my fear of heights.

The funniest thing to happen to you: This struck me funny, although my daughter will say otherwise. I was grocery shopping, and this kid was swinging his foot. He had heavy sandals on. His shoe flew off his foot and nailed me in the throat. I fell into the frozen fish and couldn’t breathe. I thought I was going to die, and it kind of struck me funny that I would go out that way. My daughter was with me and did not see the humor in the situation.

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you: See above.

About Cindy:

Armed with a handgun and a word processor, Immigration Officer Cindy Goyette spent her nights creating fictional friends to help pass the lonely hours between border crossers. A portable black-and-white TV cancelled the unexplained noises coming from the ancient jail cells in the creepy basement. The resulting book will stay in the closet where it belongs, but the seed was planted and she’s been writing ever since.

Cindy spent the ensuing years as a probation officer, dealing with hardened criminals with hard-luck stories that sometimes kept her up at night. Every day was an adventure. She survived by seeing humor in situations where she could find it. She joked about writing a book and then she did just that.

OBEY ALL LAWS incorporates the wild and crazy life of a probation officer with an issue currently in the news. Cindy’s history with flirtatious felons who thought they were charmers and addicts who denied the drugs in their pockets, claiming they’re wearing their friend’s pants have given her ample material for the books she now writes.

Born in New Jersey, Cindy lived in Phoenix for twenty years. She now makes her home in Washington state with her husband and two cocker spaniels.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://ccgoyette.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077005287995

#WriterWednesday Interview with Sarah E. Burr

I’d like to welcome my friend and talented author, Sarah E. Burr, back to the blog for #WriterWednesday.

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: I enjoy reading manga, watching true crime shows, listening to true crime podcasts, and video gaming.

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to-do list: I really despise grocery shopping for some reason. It’s such a chore for me.

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: For a productive day of writing, I require a beverage, a candle, my dog, Eevee, and my computer.

Things that distract you from writing: I always get sidetracked by social media (YouTube videos, especially) and laundry.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Writing the first three chapters of a new book is the hardest part of any writing project.

Easiest thing about being a writer: I have no trouble coming up with people to kill off!

The coolest thing you’ve bought online: I am obsessed with my new wax warmer.

The thing you wished you’d never bought: I have no shopping regrets! Everything has its purpose.

Something you’re really good at: I’m great at designing book-related content for social media.

Something you’re really bad at: I’m terrible at anything remotely athletic.

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: I wanted to be a detective or FBI agent.

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: I never dreamed I would actually get to write amateur detective stories for a living.

Something you wish you could do: I wish I could speak more than one basic language.

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: I wish I had never learned to suck on my teeth—it’s a horrible habit that I can’t stop after doing the Invisalign treatment.

Favorite places you’ve been: I loved my adventures in London, England, on a Nile cruise, and in Athens, Greece.

Places you never want to go to again: I mean, I hate going to the dentist, but we do what we must!

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: I did a massive zip-lining course in Jamacia.

Something you chickened out from doing: I refused to drive a convertible along California’s coastal highway (I ended up just being the passenger).

The most exciting thing about your writing life: I get to visit so many incredible places and people with all the different series I write.

The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life: I would have used more pen names for all my different series!

Best piece of advice you received from another writer: A guest on The Bookish Hour told us that even if you aren’t actively writing, you are still “writing” because you are always thinking about your work. That advice has helped me to cut myself some slack and take more restful breaks.

Something you would tell a younger you about your writing: Be kind to yourself. You’re doing the best you can.

About Sarah:

Sarah E. Burr is the award-winning author of the Glenmyre Whim Mysteries, Trending Topic Mysteries, the Book Blogger Mysteries, and the Court of Mystery series. She currently serves as the social media manager for the New York chapter of Sisters in Crime and is the creative mind behind BookstaBundles, a content creation service for authors. Sarah is the co-host of The Bookish Hour, a live-streamed YouTube series featuring author interviews and book discussions. When she's not spinning up stories, Sarah is binging true crime podcasts and enjoying walks with her dog, Eevee. Stay connected with Sarah via her newsletter: https://bit.ly/saraheburrsignup.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: http://saraheburr.com

Socials: https://bit.ly/sarahsocialmediahub

Happy Kiss a Ginger Day and a Redhead Playlist

Happy Kiss a Ginger Day! Here’s my list of songs about redheads. I was surprised at how many there are:

• Garth Brooks “Ain’t Goin’ Down”

• Dolly Parton “Jolene”

• Willie Nelson “Redheaded Stranger”

• John Palmer “The Band Played On”

• REM “Redhead Walking”

• Amy Winehouse “Valerie”

• Bruce Springsteen “Redheaded Woman”

• Ed Sheeran “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You”

• Miranda Lambert “White Liar”

• Bob Dylan “Tangled in Blue”

• Flock of Seagulls “I Ran”

• Counting Crows “Good Time”

• Gaelic Storm “Green Eyes, Red Hair”

• Natalie Merchant “San Andreas Fault”

• Bob Segar “Sightseeing”

• Brooks and Dunn “Boot-scootin’ Boogie”

• Neil Young “Cinnamon Girl”

• Travis Tritt “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde”

• Billy Joel “Keeping the Faith”

• Taylor Swift “Fifteen”

• Jake Owen “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”

• Billy Idol “Dead on Arrival”

• Shania Twain “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under”

• Little River Band “Redheaded Wildflower”

• Lonestar “Front Porch Lookin’ In”

• Sammy Hagar “Red”

What would you add to my list?