How did your upbringing in Arizona and your teenage years in England influence your writing, particularly in the Cotswold Crimes Mystery series?
Arizona couldn’t be more different than England, and I wanted Maddie, the heroine of A Cotswold Crimes Mystery series, to experience that fish-out-of-water feeling. Everything from cars on the ‘wrong’ side of the road to when the sun went down confounded me when I got to England. Maddie is used to having everything be easy for her, and it’s a big adjustment to not know what’s going on.
What drew you to the genre of mystery writing, and how do you approach crafting compelling mysteries?
I’ve always loved creating mysteries and creating a sleuth to solve them. My eight-year-old brain conceived of a mystery involving a 3rd grader who disappeared and another who found her trail of columbine flowers. That’s as far as I got, but I always look for clues. When I create a mystery, I start with the crime, then unwind whodunnit. A plotter through and through, I map everything in advance, but if a character wants to take a scene in a different direction, I let them.
As a professor of theater, film, and writing, how do you balance your academic work with your creative pursuits as an author?
Fortunately, my job allows me to work with many amazing new adults, sparking my creativity. “How would so and so deal with that?” I sometimes ask myself. I’m also always amazed at the depth of intelligence that goes into my students’ writing, which is quite inspiring.
Can you share some insights into your process of mentoring and coaching aspiring artists?
My best insight for mentoring young artists is to stay out of their way. It may seem counterintuitive, but many instructors want to use a specific process or writing prompts to guide their students. My approach is to give them a toolbox of techniques, some of which they may find useful now, some in the future. The students pick and choose how to use them.
How do you integrate your background in theater and film into your writing, especially in terms of character development and storytelling?
Theater is all about character development. A playwright doesn’t give backstory, the actor develops their own, taking cues from what the character says. Learning to decipher motivation informs how I create my characters, letting them guide me toward their responses.
What inspired you to become a member of various writers' organizations such as Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers?
Writing organizations, especially mystery groups, are filled with the most wonderful, supportive, and informative people on earth! Although most of us are introverts, we will go to great lengths to support one another. Anyone interested in becoming a writer should join a local chapter today!
Your short stories have been featured in anthologies from Malice Domestic and Desert Sleuths. How does writing short fiction differ from writing novels, and do you have a preference for one form over the other?
I love writing both short stories and novels. The main difference is that short stories start at the end. Sometimes, I’ll write 4000 words of a 5,000-word story before getting to the first line. (It’s okay; the backstory is useful!) You don’t have time to develop every little thing in a short story, so starting at the climax creates a bigger impact.
Could you discuss the importance of setting in your Cotswold Crimes Mystery series and how you bring the English countryside to life in your writing?
The Cotswolds is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that extends from just below Stratford-Upon-Avon to Bath. When I was lucky enough to live in England, Bath was my home, and the Cotswolds were our backyard. Hiking, touring villages, and exploring the area made me fall in love with it. It feels like home.
What challenges do you face when writing mysteries, and how do you overcome them?
My biggest challenge in writing mysteries is that I sometimes focus too much on the mystery, and my characters can suffer for it. Fortunately, I have access to an excellent editor who specializes in helping authors create lovable characters. I always run my manuscripts by her before sending them to my publisher.
Are there any authors or books that have particularly influenced your writing style or approach to storytelling?
I love mysteries and always have. I grew up reading everything from Edgar Allen Poe to John D. MacDonald to Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie. I read every mystery I can get my hands on. I’m fortunate enough to belong to a group that interviews mystery authors for YouTube (look up Blackbird Writers Presents Author Interviews), so I am constantly discovering new mystery authors to enjoy!
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the mystery genre?
Conferences and memberships in professional writing organizations help me stay updated with trends. My writers groups and publisher also have meetings to ensure we share information.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers, especially those interested in writing mysteries?
To aspiring writers, my best advice is to NEVER give up! Writing is all about rejection, but if you keep at it and listen to feedback, you can achieve your goals. Start by attending conferences like the Writers Digest National Conference in NYC. I made the mistake of not attending a conference until my first manuscript was completed, and I learned so much that I had to rewrite it. Go, listen, learn, write, and rewrite. Also, join professional writing organizations like Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers. Both have excellent support for new authors.
Can you tell us about your experience with building and maintaining an author platform, including your newsletter and website?
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from a workshop by Jane Friedman. She said, “If you hate doing something, don’t do it.” This advice allowed me to stop blogging, which I’m horrible at. And I only send a newsletter every quarter instead of monthly. However, I post daily on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn and experiment with Threads. Also, my writers’ group, Blackbird Writers, posts weekly blog posts from our twenty-four members.
What can readers expect from your upcoming works, and do you have any future projects you'd like to share with us?
DEATH PLAYS WITH FIRE: A Cotswold Crimes Mystery book 3 will be out in early December. And great news: I’ve signed a contract to extend the series to six books and hopefully beyond!
What do you think of AllAuthor? Has this website been helpful to you?
I love AllAuthor’s platform for supporting authors in their journey and encouraging readers to find their next great read!
