The Next Big Thing

So, here’s the plan:

1.  Answer the following ten questions about a current WIP.
2.  Tag five other writers and link their blogs so we can all hop over and read their answers. It’s that simple.

1.] What is the title of your book? 

My working title is Another Day in Paradise. All the titles in the Louise Golden mystery series come from songs, and refer to Paradise or Heaven. The song Another Day in Paradise deals with homelessness, an issue I also touch on in this book.

2.] Where did the idea for the book come from?
The origins of the plot came from something that actually happened to a friend of mine. Her dog was stolen, and her mail carrier found the dog living at another home on her route. A similar situation kicks off my story, though what happens next is entirely fictional.

3.] What genre would your book fall under?
Mystery with a strong female protagonist, just this side of cozy. I avoid graphic descriptions of violence, explicit sexual situations, and profanity (at least in English), thought there are situations that would not be found in a typical “cozy”. In this book there is some indelicate use of the Portuguese language.

4.] Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Though Louise is younger than Meg Ryan, I’ve always seen her as the Meg Ryan type. I’m not sure about the male characters.

5.] What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
A dog is stolen from a customer on her route, and mail carrier Louise Golden soon discovers that there is more sinister afoot than a dog napping ring.

6.] Is your book published or represented?
With the help of my lawyer, I pulled out of a publishing contract. I am now using a small indie publisher.

7.] How long did it take you to write?
Since this is supposed to be about a work in progress, I am referring to a work still in progress. So far I’ve spent about 9 months on it, and still have a ways to go. My hope it to have it published in early December.

8.] What other books within your genre would you compare it to?

Readers most often compare my writing style to Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich. I am honored, because these are two of my favorite authors. I’d say my books are somewhere in between the two.

9.] Which authors inspired you to write this book?

I’ve always wanted to write a mystery series that could compare to Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone series, and Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plumb series.

10.] Tell us anything else that might pique our interest in your book

It’s too soon for a back cover blurb. I’ll just say this is the third installment in the Louise Golden series. If you enjoyed the first two, you’ll love this one.

And now, five awesome writers whose work you want to watch:

Gail M. Baugniet (mystery)

Jane Isaac (mystery)

Douglas Wickard (mystery/thriller)

Philip Catshill (crime/thriller)

Patricia Paris (romance/romantic mystery)

FREE FOR 5 DAYS: MURDER BY PLANE Author T.E. Avery on writing, flying, and the roaring 30’s

Good morning everyone! It’s a beautiful Tuesday morning here in the land of aloha. Due to family issues, I got off track with my MONDAYS ARE MURDER interviews. But I’m back today with author T.E. Avery to talk about his novel, MURDER BY PLANE. The book is available FREE on Amazon for the next 5 days so be sure to download your copy! If you don’t have a Kindle device, download the Kindle app to your phone or computer. Happy reading!

Laurie: I’m so happy to have this chance to talk to you, Tom. First, please tell us about your protagonist, Reginald St. John.

Tom:  Reginald was a flying ace during the First World War, but he dislikes talking about it and has nightmares about the war.  He flew after the war as a Hollywood stunt pilot and then became a star of silent movies.  Reginald had stage training as a young man.  This allowed him to make the transition to talking pictures.  Reginald had been engaged to an actress, but she died in a plane crash.  Reginald was the pilot.  He lives with the memory and guilt of her death.  He drinks too much and this has all but ended his career.

Laurie: As an actor and a pilot, how is Reginald in a position to solve a mystery?

Tom: Reginald worked behind enemy lines during the war and learned to use his smooth voice to interrogate prisoners.  Reginald can even hypnotize people who are not especially strong willed.

Laurie: Is there a lot of yourself in St. John?

Tom: No way.  Reginald is brave and cool.

Laurie: Are you a pilot?

Tom: I was a private pilot as a young man and owned a Cessna 150.  My grandfather was a WW1 pilot.

Laurie:  Why did you choose the 1930’s as a setting for your story?

Tom:  I have always loved the films from the 1930s, especially mysteries and screwball comedies.

Laurie:   What kind of research did you have to do to write the book, especially considering it takes place during an era you don’t remember yourself?

Tom: I wrote the draft and then did my research on the internet and from books and film.

Laurie:  Was there anything surprising you discovered in your research about life the 30’s?

Tom:  I’m always surprised by the strength and the skills of that generation.  I do not think I could have done as well, back then, as they did.  I loved researching the swing music.

Laurie: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Tom: Murder By Plane will be free for the next five days on Amazon Kindle. http://tinyurl.com/c4rthp4
My reading and writing life as inspired by classic films and books: http://tinyurl.com/7nobfeo
Contact me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/reginaldstjohn