(Originally done by Dollcas at Great Escapes Book Tours.)

Hi Elizabeth. Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you began writing cozy mystery books.

I spent twenty years as a parent educator writing and lecturing about raising babies and young children. When my youngest graduated college, and my first grandchild entered kindergarten I decided to make a leap and write the cozy mystery novel I’d always dreamed of writing. That was years ago. Once I started writing cozy mysteries, I realized how much of a calling it was and the books just flow out of me! And I’ve never had so much fun in my work!

What books/authors have most inspired you?

Oh! There are so many! I find bits of inspiration in almost every book I read. It seems every author has a character, a scene, a word, or an idea that plants a seed. The seeds combine to inspire me as I create new worlds.

 What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

I write what I know so that my work is authentic. The settings in my series resemble places I know well so that I can describe them in ways that my readers are transported there. Even though I write paranormal fiction, I like there to be a solid foundation of truth and reality. What comes together is a place that feels real, even when talking cats are involved!

 Do you ever suffer from Writer’s Block?

I think everyone has moments of blockage. I take advantage of those by catching up on all the other work and household tasks that build up when I’m busy writing. A short break away – whether it’s a few hours or a few days seems to reset my brain. 

What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?

My favorite advice is: If you want to be a writer you must read … and you must write. Read a lot. A whole lot, the more the better. Write a lot. Write afraid. Write nervously. Write uncomfortably. Write poorly. But … WRITE! The more you write, the better you will get. 

When you are not writing what do you like to do?

As a mother of four young adults who are all paired up, and a young grandchild as well, a large part of my free time is spent with my family. We hike, play board games, talk, eat, and have many great shared family moments.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Here’s a secret. I’ve traveled. A lot. I’ve toured my parenting books all over the US, Canada, Australia, even Hong Kong! I’ve traveled with my family around the USA, Canada, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The one place I love to be most? My very own home! I’d rather be home than travel anywhere else!

What is next on the horizon for you?

I just released book eleven in the Magical Mystery Book Club series: Critters and Crimes. Once that book settles in, I’ll be off to the keyboard once again!