Born in LA, which is your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is at the ocean. My father couldn't swim. He always sank like a stone, no matter how he tried. We would stand in the surf, on alert for the oncoming wave. As it approached, he held up his hand, and yelled out CEASE AND DESIST as the wave crashed over him. He would surface, hair in his eyes, grinning. We screamed our delight. Again, Daddy, we pleaded. Again.
What type of content did you create for the robotics R&D company?
At the robotics R&D company, I created books about the various kinds of robotics technology being developed, a quarterly magazine, a few movies, two websites, many power point presentations and brochures, and organized conferences and trade shows. Engineers are fascinating people, completely wrapped up in solving the problem they've set themselves. Unlocking their jargon and finding a way to present their work was quite a challenge. The robots are coming, by the way. I can't wait to get in my own self-driving car, say "supermarket," and have the car whisk me to the market entrance and go park itself.
How has been your experience of creating content for magazines, newspapers, politicians, universities, websites?
Product always depends on the organization. If you work for a politician, you write speeches and policy briefs, newsletters, web content, and press releases. These days, you might be in charge of tweets! If you direct public relations for a university, the point of every piece regardless of media tends to be how smart, happy and successful the students are. The key element in all my work environments before I began writing novels, and particularly in journalism, was learning to meet a deadline. The work has to be done on time. Everything has top priority. You learn to multi-task.
How much time do you "usually" spend on social media for promoting your books?
As soon as a book has a designed cover, marketing for its launch begins. I would say I spend a quarter of my time on social media, not necessarily promoting a specific book, but being in conversation with other authors, supporting and encouraging writers, commenting on my own experience as a reader and writer, and, of course, from time to time dropping a tweet about my newest book. I see social media as a fun activity, something I do to keep me connected to the larger world, since writing is a solitary pursuit.
When did you first get bit by the writing bug? Did you ever take part in any writing competitions when you were younger?
I was always going to write from the time a teacher showed me I could make a book by folding a piece of paper in half, drawing a picture on the cover, and writing a story inside. Since I've always written for my work, it wasn't a huge transition to writing novels full-time.
When writing strong characters, like Clay Turnbull or Lenore Cavanaugh, how do you decide their names or characteristics?
Characters' names appear in the same way that stories emerge--out of the ether. Clay Turnbull had a name before he had characteristics, although the minute I heard the name in my head, I knew what he was like. Frankly, I don't know where he came from, but perhaps he's everyone with integrity and courage I ever admired. Lenore is named for a tough reporter and editor I worked with and the character's tenacity is modeled on another reporter. Perhaps this was my way of thanking my mentors and peers.
How did you begin writing the "Sam Lagarde Mystery" series? When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
The Detective Sam Lagarde mystery series began when an invisible Sam plunked himself down in the passenger seat of my car and started telling me the story of Cromwell's Folly. That's my experience. I dashed home from my errands and started typing as fast as I could to keep up with his dictation. I had no idea where I was going. All I knew was there was a head in a dumpster and I had to figure out who he was and who killed him. Writing that book taught me that detective stories are about the detective, not the crime. Which meant there had to be a few more novels to finish the arc of Sam Lagarde's story.
Who inspired the character of Grant Wodehouse in "No Good Deed Left Undone"?
Grant Wodehouse is probably the closest I'll ever get to a Dickens type character. He's every smooth hypocrite you'll ever meet. Smart, charming, rich, and careless with the people who love him, particularly his son. He has no particular source. His faults helped me understand what might happen to a boy who's virtually abandoned by his father, and how his current wife might deal with his death.
When are you most inspired to write? What are some things you do to motivate yourself when you're stuck in a rut?
I write every day, or edit. I don't wait for outside inspiration although I love it when it comes. While a bolt of lightning may jump start a story, it takes sheer determination to keep the engine running for 80,000 words. When I find I'm just moving words around without improving the story, I stop writing and do something else. Anything will do as long as it doesn't involve putting words on a page. My favorite moments, though, are when I wake up with an idea for a sentence, or a particular word, and run to my laptop to type it out.
Which book in the Sam Lagarde Mysteries series took the longest to write?
Each Lagarde book took about seven months to write a full first draft. Another three months for revision, a month for edits. Another month for changing my mind and rewriting. So about a year for each one before I sent the manuscript off to my agent. It gets more scrubbing from there on!
Where do you do most of the research for the stories for your books? Have you ever gotten into legal trouble while on one of your research sprees?
Most of my research is done online using the internet. All writers worry that they are on the FBI watch list for the kinds of things they look up. Sometimes I write to people who are experts in an area to get first-hand answers to my questions. So far, no one wearing a badge has come knocking on my door, but that could still happen.
What is the sweetest thing a fan has ever said to you?
The sweetest thing any fan can say is "I loved your book." We writers melt inside when we hear that.
If you could describe your journey as an author in one word, what would it be?
Delicious
Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?
I'm working on a paranormal murder mystery. Recently widowed Sylvie Andrus moves with her young son to a remote river town and finds a ghost waiting for her. She has to solve a mystery to get rid of him.
How has AllAuthor helped you to promote your books? How has been your experience working with us?
All Author offers a way to amplify my messages about my books to people I wouldn't ordinarily reach. They make it easy, and that's what I need.
