Where were you born and where do you live now? Which place do you like better and why?
I’m a lifelong resident of Minnesota. I’ve done a fair amount of traveling to other states and find that Minnesota, although cold more often than not, is best. I wouldn’t mind being a snow bird to a sunny, oceanside location.
Do you have a simple childhood memory that you could never forget?
I grew up on a farm. Our closest neighbor was about a mile away, the closest small town about four miles. I remember how quiet and still the farm was. I live in a suburban area now with some elbow room and a large park across the street, but with shops nearby and traffic. Building is burgeoning, and our wildlife is diminishing.
Which of your childhood dreams was the first to die?
I did draw and doodle, as a child, but knew I wasn’t a visual artist.
Who was the first person you shared your first ever story with?
Probably my 9 th grade English teacher, who was very supportive and critiqued very early stories.
Why did you decide to write under the penname of M. E. Bakos?
Pennames give a certain amount of privacy for introverts. We can observe how our work is received anonymously.
What sparked the idea for your novel, Deadly Flip?
It’s a story ripped from the headlines. Unfortunately, a man did get away with murdering young woman. He confessed after being acquitted. It’s always puzzled me why he confessed. In Deadly Flip, I revisit the story (fictionalized, of course) and try to explain it. A neatly tied up mystery.
Which option do you prefer, reading some books or watching movies adapted from them?
Both. If the movie captures my attention, I may try to find the book. Especially when it’s a true crime fictionalized story. If I read the book first, I’ll look for the movie.
Do your book ideas usually start with the characters, story/plot, historical events, or something else?
The books start with the idea of the novel, and the characters fill in the details and actions they take in solving the mystery. In each book, I try to focus on different characters and draw out some of their story. The books are relationship driven, built around a home flip, and a mystery.
Which book was the hardest to write and why? Inversely, which book was the easiest to write?
Fatal Flip was probably the hardest because it’s the first in the series had to get the reader’s attention. But I don’t think any of the books were easy, they are all a little different. Books are a lot of work!
If you could live out the story of one of your books, which one would it be and what kind of character would you play?
Myra, Katelyn’s BFF has a good life. She’s secure in her life. The only snags are keeping Katelyn out of trouble and trying to eliminate bad karma from her own projects, which she does in a light-hearted way in Lethal Flip with Bernie, the ghostbuster.
Have you ever gotten emotional while writing the last book to a series? Do you ever think about your characters after you finish a series and plan their continuing futures and lives a little in your head?
I got a little emotional resolving Katelyn’s loneliness in Lethal Flip (Covid inspired isolation). I’m not sure where the series will go. If I have feedback that readers want to hear more from her, I will continue the series. She may have her own ideas.
What are the pros and cons of using a pen name for writing novels?
Pennames give a bit of distance from the work. People who know you by another name may have problems finding your books.
What do you think is so special about the mystery genre?
Mysteries provide a way of solving puzzles in a neat satisfying way, real life isn’t always neat and/or solvable.
What are some of your plans for the future? Are you working on a new project at the moment?
I have a couple of projects in the works. A romantic suspense, or a darker domestic thriller, maybe another cozy series.
When were you first introduced to AllAuthor and how?
My Fatal Flip cover was in the AllAuthor shout out. It was a fun experience and I saw followers and little uptick in sales. I also liked the banners. They are a fun aspect to promotion.
