If you had to define your books in ten separate words, what would they be?
Escape, Fun, Cozy, Spooky, Whimsical, Paranormal, Magical, Welcoming, Safe, Kind.
Have any of your scenes made you cry?
One of the ongoing storylines in my Eternal Rest Bed and Breakfast paranormal cozy mysteries is that my main character, Emily, lost her husband in a car accident that happened under odd circumstances. Emily has always wanted answers about what really happened, and she’s convinced Scott’s ghost should be around, even though she’s never gotten proof of it. In book seven, Quiet Nights, Emily gets all those answers as well as closure. I cried while writing the entire scene, because it was such a moment of release for Emily, even amid her grief.
Which would be your spirit animal?
The most popular character I’ve ever written is Felipe the chupacabra. Felipe is great fun to write, and I love that my readers have embraced him with so much enthusiasm. At a convention a few years ago, I let readers know that anyone who ran up to me and shouted, “Felipe is my spirit animal!” would get a free keychain with him on it. Felipe is smart and rambunctious, and he tends to cause chaos wherever he goes. Does this sound a little like me? Maybe.
Do you have any weird writing habits or quirks?
I like to listen to music when I write, but I absolutely cannot listen to anything with lyrics, because it distracts me from my own words. Now, when I begin writing, I put on music by Midnight Syndicate. It’s spooky atmospheric music, and you’ve likely heard it playing if you’ve ever visited a haunted house attraction. Many haunts license their music to help set the scene.
In fact, in my Nightmare, Arizona series, I describe the background music playing in the entryway of Nightmare Sanctuary Haunted House. It’s my little nod to Midnight Syndicate. Their music is beautiful but spooky, so it’s perfect for writing paranormal cozy mysteries!
Do you ever get angry at a character for doing something you didn’t plan for?
Let’s talk about Carter Lansford. Carter is in my Betty Boo, Ghost Hunter urban fantasy series, and he is a pretentious, spoiled, rich-boy jerk! He’s also the first character who truly came to life in my imagination, doing and saying whatever he wanted, with absolute disregard for my outline.
Carter would say such mean things to my main character, Betty, that I would literally talk back at him as I was typing his dialogue. So, picture me at my computer, shouting, “Seriously, Carter?” while he mouthed off as only he can. I’m happy to say he had a great arc across the four-book series and is now my favorite character I’ve ever written.
Have you ever had a strange/funny/lovely experience with a reader?
I’ve had many, and my readers keep me going when I’m frustrated or burned out. Their comments, support, and kindness are such a joy to me. One of my favorite experiences came from a reader whose friend was undergoing chemo treatments. We arranged for me to send a copy of Homicide at the Haunted House to the friend, who started reading it out loud to the others at chemo with her. I was told they all started to refer to chemo appointments as “book club” because it gave them something to look forward to, despite the circumstances.
You can find links to all of her series below, as well as her website and social media.
Crones of a Feather Paranormal Cozy Mysteries
Eternal Rest Bed and Breakfast Paranormal Cozy Mysteries
Nightmare, Arizona Paranormal Cozy Mysteries