Thank you, Lily! I'm presently working on the sixth book (and fifth novel) in my Adam and Grace mystery series. I just completed a wee children's book, which lands June 1. After that, I plan a sequel to my western, Blood and Dust, which will take place around 1905 when my province actually BECAME a province. Lots of political fodder there!
I have already changed genres. I thought I would always write contemporary mystery, but in the last year I've published a historical fiction/western (Blood and Dust) and a wee children's book (Magic Mack and The Mischief-Makers). As Yogi Berra said, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." I think I was too focused on the one genre — although I continue to write mysteries (laced with a little love) — to see other inspirational moments and opportunities, at first. Now I try to go with them.
Oof, just one!?
I would love to have written Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible. SO brilliant and epic. And also her Unsheltered, a brilliant allegorical political work.
I also want to be Dorothy L. Sayers when I grow up. I want to have written (interesting verb tense there) both Gaudy Night and Busman's Honeymoon. Fabulous mysteries interwoven with complex relationships.
All the time. Some have been minor life or less-minor work events (in journalism) that have inspired the message and ultimately the tale. For example, my husband and I stumbled upon a rusted-out, bullet-riddled Fleetline (car) in the middle of the forest. That discovery, along with some research and wild imagingings, became Two Hundred Bones.
Thank you so much, Roderick! If you like mysteries (mixed with a little romantic suspense), my first in the series is Adam's Witness, so best to start there. If something more western/historical fiction ish is to your taste, please consider Blood and Dust, my newest. So kind of you.
