April 20th, 2015 → 3:17 pm @ rldonovan // No Comments

Tell us a little bit about your book “Is It Still Murder Even If She Was A Bitch?”

When you’re out in the world interacting with other humans there’s a good chance you’ll experience a certain amount of frustration. Sometimes that frustration can get overwhelming. I find it helps to kill those who frustrate me in the extreme. When I do it in print – there’s less jail time. 

What was your inspiration for this title?

During the writing and editing process I just called it “Claire’s Murder.” When the time came to finally select a title I felt a bit overwhelmed. So I picked the first thing that seemed to fit and make me laugh. I just assumed I’d have to get serious and choose a “real” title at some point. During that time, I also happened to be interviewing senior writers for a position at my company. Most of them figured they’d do better if they showed an interest in my life so they asked me personal questions. Every time I shared my Book’s temporary name they burst into laughter that I felt was geniune. I love killing two birds with one stone – I completed all the interviews while conducting research on my book title. By the time we hired a writer, I knew I was keeping that title. 

 What is It that drives you to write?

Once Social Media became a big part of the Marketing/Communications business, we were all tasked with creating content. And once I started blogging, I couldn’t be stopped. In all my blogging, for Marketing, for Menopause (Menologues.com) or for my book, I try to use humor to share my viewpoint. It’s just fun! Initially, I tried to write a book about a painful time in my business-life. I hated it! Once I allowed myself to use humor, everything changed. Now, the worst part about finishing a book is that I have to stop the writing process – even if it’s just for a time. My only consolation is that I get to read what I’ve written – and I make myself laugh over and over again! 

What is your favorite thing about writing for Children/YA/Adults?

Although I am thankful for the men and women of all ages who have read and commented positively, my sweetspot is really the menopausal woman. I wrote about a menopausal amateur sleuth, because I didn’t want to have female heroes be either 20-something and hot or Miss Marple – with nothing in between. I wanted to provide a geniune, but decidedly hip and chic hero with whom they could relate. And I get to deal with all kinds of important issues, like a woman can be attractive even if she’s not skinny or young, or don’t discount us because we have the occasional hot flash. 

 Many writers and artists have a specific routine or activity to spur their creative process.  Do you have such an activity and what is it?

I stop and let my subconscious review the manuscript. Where it’s been, where it is and when my subconscious is ready – where it’s going. I don’t try to rush my thought process – that always leads to rewriting. If it takes a few hours – great. If it takes a few weeks – so be it. 

 What are you reading right now and what do you like most about it?

I’m reading an anthology of cozy mysteries. It teaches me how to avoid some of those annoying little things that are found in many cozies, such as, repeating over and over again “Oh no, the Sheriff will be so mad at me for meddling!” In the writing process we don’t always realize when we’ve repeated ourselves one too many times. That’s why good editing is so critical. Cozy mysteries tend not to be over-edited – and they should be. I try to read as many books in my genre and learn what I can do and what I should never do. Plus, they help me escape. 

What is in the near future for your writing career?

Book two in the Donna Leigh Mystery series, “I Didn’t Kill Her But That May Have Been Short-Sighted” is in the final edit stage. My plan is to make this a three-book series, and book three is half written as well. 

Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?

Thank you. You have made this an unforgettable experience for me! 

A bit of shameless promotion, what is your favorite thing about your library?

That it treats local authors with kindness and respect. Unlike bookstores – that will host an author’s reading and then demand that he/she do enough marketing to draw a crowd AND make sure most of them buy books.