Do you have a simple childhood memory that you could never forget?
One of my favorite childhood memories is sitting on my beloved grandfather’s lap as a little girl and having “apple parties” where he would peel and cut apples for us to eat and tell me stories about his own childhood growing up in a small town in Lithuania.
At what age did you begin writing your first story?
I started writing poems when I was about five years old. What was it about? My first poem was written when on a trip with my parents, we had a flat tire, and I wrote a poem about it that I still remember. A couple years later, a friend and I created an imaginary character called Ponytail, and we developed an ongoing saga about her life.
What got you interested in historical mystery?
I live in a part of New York state that is rich in history starting with post-Revolutionary War and moving onward. I decided to weave an historical backstory into each of my books because it’s so fascinating.
How did you come up with the idea for your novel, Murder at Freedom Hill?
I’m following the history trail here where we live. The historical backstory in my first book was post-Revolutionary War; the second, the War of 1812 (and the British truly did burn most of our village down). The next significant time in history was the Abolition Movement and Underground Railroad, I felt compelled to include both as my historical backstory.
Which has been your most cherished memory being a teacher?
I taught English to junior high school students for a time. Making literature come alive was very important to me. My first job was at a school where I was expected to teach Shakespeare to 7th graders. It was a challenge. As luck would have it, Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet was playing at the local movie theater. I got permission from the principal to take my students to a matinee, and the story really came alive to them.
What challenges did you face while publishing your first book?
As a former journalist I tend to write very sparely. My first draft was only 20,000 words long. The challenge was to expand it to full-novel status without padding it with gratuitous dialogue and subplots.
Do your book ideas usually start with the characters, story/plot, historical events, or something else?
Plot (which includes the historical backstory) with ongoing characters, then as I move forward, I create the other characters. But I always know who my victim and killer will be when I start to write.
Has being a journalist in any way helped you in your writing career?
Yes. I wrote a lot of feature stories and had my own weekly column. My features were about everyday people who, when you got to know them, had multiple interesting stories to tell about their lives. I also learned to write succinctly.
Who inspired the character of Annie in "Murder in the Museum"?
I have a friend who has been very involved in our community and served as a mentor to me when my husband and I first moved to the area. She was a board member, docent, and ran the gift shop at our local museum and historical society. Some people say they see me in Annie’s character, but my friend really was my inspiration.
What is the most ideal ambiance for you to write in?
I need quiet and solitude and no stimulation. We live in a very old house that was owned by an assistant lighthouse keeper, and at the very end of our second-floor hallway right off our bedroom there’s a niche where I have my office. It’s away from the rest of the house, so I can write even when we have company, which, because we live by the sea, we get lots of.
How do you feel about the shift of readers from physical books to digital ones?
I think both serve a purpose. We have a library in our home, but it’s mainly classics, books we couldn’t part with when we were growing up, books from when I studied literature or books that reflect my husband’s and my interests. My books are published in all formats, but the beauty of digital books is how accessible and affordable they are. When we travel, I load up my Kindle, and it’s so much easier than carrying around heavy tomes. When I am finished reading a book and want another, I can get it quickly. I will admit that I do use our wonderful local library at times to borrow both digital and print books, but I think digital opens a world to many people who don’t have access to libraries or the funds to purchase hard copies of books.
Are you friends with other authors? If so, how have they helped you in your journey as a writer?
I am. The authors at Cozy Cat Press, my publisher, have a private Facebook group, and we communicate regularly when we have questions or need advice. One of my beta readers (and good friend) is also an author who has provided a lot of excellent, constructive criticism for my books. I’m also a member of Crime Writers of the UK (North America division) and have met some lovely authors there who have become friends. It’s nice to be able to bounce ideas off each other and ask questions.
What are some examples of things that made you think "Wow, perfection actually exists"?
In writing, I’m not so sure that it does. But babies, animals, nature, loving relationships, it’s all out there.
Which is the next book you are writing? What is it about?
My fourth book in the Edmund DeCleryk cozy mystery series is called “Murder at Chimney Bluffs”. A young investigative reporter is found dead on a beach that was once that site where rumrunners brought liquor into the states during Prohibition, which along with the Roaring 20s, is the backstory for this book.
What are your thoughts on AllAuthor? Is this a website you see yourself using for some time even in the future?
While I do post on social media, Twitter is not one I am very adept at, and I love that AllAuthor is tweeting for me. My books are getting hits and I’m getting followers as a result. There are also lots of other perks and opportunities, and yes, I see my self using AllAuthor not only now, but in the future.
