As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
When I was eight years old I went on a field trip to the major newspaper in RI and fell in love with the sounds of the newsroom and the giant printing presses used to produce the paper. I decided then I wanted to be a newspaper reporter. Many years later I got an associates degree in journalism and worked for locaL newspapers writing features.
Were you an avid reader as a child? Do you still read books?
I was a reader as a child and continue to be an avid reader. It's hard to imagine being a writer without being in love with books.
What inspired you to start writing psychological mysteries?
I am a licensed psychologist and still maintain a full-time private practice in psychology. In 1985 when I was just starting out as a psychologist I read Jonathan Kellerman's first mystery. He is also a psychologist and I was inspired by the idea of having two fascinating professions, psychology and writing.
Do you remember the first book you ever read?
The first adult book I read was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and I remember identifying with the character and being amazed at the novelists ability to show the internal world of the characters.
What inspired you to write your first book?
Last Seen was making years in the making. In 1988 I moved with my husband and baby daughter from Massachusetts to Rock Springs, Wyoming. I wasn't prepared for the remoteness and vastness of the landscape. I began imagining what it would be like to disappear in the wilderness and how hard it would be to be found. I started a novel in 1990 about a woman who goes missing. By that time I had another baby daughter and I couldn't find the time to complete the book. In 2009 when both of my daughters had left home for school, I came across Chris Baty's No Plot No Problem in Barnes and Noble. I decided to do a 50,000 word draft on that original missing woman plot. It then took five years of revision and rewriting and finally in 2014, I completed Last Seen. It took two years to find my publisher, She Writes Press, and the book was published in 2017.
How did you begin writing the A Dr. Pepper Hunt Mystery series?
I wanted to use the same template as Jonathan Kellerman, a mystery series with a psychologist who works with a detective. A lot of my experience as a psychologist has been working with the court system. I am very interested in how the two systems, mental health and legal justice, come together and the different ways they respond to human issues.
Who inspired the character of Connor Collin in "On a Quiet Street"?
There is no one person who inspired Connor Collin, rather a type of person, a fragile, vulnerable, young male. Psychologists know and the film Spotlight showed the public that these are the characteristics that draw male predators. These young males are drawn into situations that initially appear to fill unmet needs for direction and care and once they are emotionally seduced they are manipulated into a sexual relationship.
Audio book vs e-book vs printed book, which one do you prefer and why?
For me, there's nothing better than a book to hold and read. I have read some books on Kindle, but I don't like the physical experience and it ends up being unsatisfying. I have never listened to an audiobook.
What sparked the idea for your book, "Last Seen"?
In 1997, a young woman runner, Amy Wroe Becktel, who went missing in the Wind River Mountains near her home in Lander, Wyoming. This was seven years after I had the idea of a woman going missing and the story captured my attention. I was interested also in the way so many lives were affected and changed forever by the unsolved mystery.
How important do you think a book title is? What are your tips for penning a catchy and intriguing book title?
I'm intrigued by book titles and think of them as the "clue" to what the story is about. I have been known to not read a book because I don't like the title. Since my first dream was to be a newspaper reporter, I chose to use phrases that are found in crime reporting that would be recognizable to the reader. I didn't have to work too hard to settle on the titles. My third mystery will be published in November, 2021, with the title Unknown Assailant. My advice would be to choose a group of words that is either, familiar or unusual/evocative. I don't like one-word titles for some reason.
What do you like to do to relax? What kind of books do you enjoy reading?
For relaxation, I read, walk, hike, swim. My favorite genre is mystery, followed by suspense, then psychologically infused literary novels.
Any suggestions on what it takes to be a good mystery writer?
I think a good mystery writer needs a deep interest in the dark side of humanity and an appreciation for layered characters. My novels are character-driven which interests me more than in plot.
If someone were to write a book about your life, what genre would it most likely be in: historical, romance, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery or horror?
Interesting question. My life story would best be represented by the romance genre and could definitely be a series.
What is your next book which is going to publish soon?
Unknown Assailant, November 23, 2021.
What do you think of AllAuthor? Has this website been helpful to you?
I have been very impressed by the graphics produced by AllAuthor. I still have to explore more of the platform. I also like the communications and personal responses to questions I have had.
