MLC: Do you remember the first mystery you ever read? If so, what was it, and what pulled you into it?
AUTHOR: One of the Hardy Boys books--it provided adventure, excitement, and accomplishment on the part of kids that I was not getting in my own life. I started writing as a way to understand my world. Ever hear such silliness?
MLC: When did you first decide you wanted to write a mystery, and what led you to that decision?
AUTHOR: That first book, lo those centuries ago--but life interfered until I'd retired. Crafting mysteries allows me to engergize my characters--involve them in situations the normal reader would never experience. Character shows itself through response to adversity. I live it through them.
MLC: Do you write in any other genres? If so, which ones?
AUTHOR: You might say love stories, as I cannot plot or write a murder mystery without including a deep love story.
MLC: Which comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
AUTHOR: I'm writing a series with the same key characters--but I think it's a tie. What do I want them to face next turns into plot. I see as far ahead as the headlights shine.
MLC: When you are all wrapped up in the story, do you feel like you could solve the crime, or maybe even solve all the world’s mysteries?
AUTHOR: Ha! I've dunked characters I care for into danger and I thrash about trying to keep them alive. My mysteries become thrillers. My senior citizen married sleuths, Gary and Becca, sometimes wake me up, worried themselves.
MLC: Do you write every day, or what kind of a schedule do you have? Do you write fulltime, or do you have a “day job”?
AUTHOR: I retired into this more-than-full-time job. Were I not answering questions, giving talks, and trying to hold up my end of marriage and family, I'd be writing all the time.
MLC: Other than your writing, what do you enjoy doing? What is the most important thing to you in your day-to-day life?
AUTHOR: My wife. Thirty-five years into marriage and I adore the woman. She allows me to write married love--though I'm quick to say the sex scenes are not ours. Gary and Becca visit me for those. Their first time, my God, it surprised all three of us.
MLC: Who are your favorite mystery authors? Do you try to emulate them in your own writing?
AUTHOR: Tough to say--so many excellent authors. And no, I do not try to emulate, though it seems impossible for me to read even a chapter without learning something useful.
MLC: In your present book, is this part of a series, or is it a standalone book?
AUTHOR: Gary and Becca met in Say Goodbye, and in Perfect Cover, they are married. Quite a challenge, digging into that. Few series dare to evolve domestic bliss. Having affairs, killing off the women, or living in separate wings is much easier to write. My goal in each novel is to have Gary and Becca see each other differently, at the end, because of what's gone on. I can't write what doesn't fascinate me.
MLC: If you are doing a series, do you see an end to it sometime, or do you plan to go on for several years with it?
AUTHOR: One day I hope to write a movie like, "To Catch A Thief" or "Charade." I've read later series books (by name authors) that have lost their juice, been reduced to formula or "he said, she said." As long as each Reluctant Sleuth mystery remains a challenge and evolves the characters, I'll be fine with it. But other stuff--sure, why not? At heart I'm a frustrated writer.
MLC: Do your characters ever drive you a bit crazy by going off in their own direction? If so, how do you rein them in, or do you just let them run off on their own?
AUTHOR: They run, I observe, learn. And write. When that happens it means we're linked, each doing the best for the other. If that sounds strange, well, you know, authors are a tad loony.
MLC: Do you pattern your sleuths after yourself or someone you know? If so, do you let that person know they were your “pattern”?
AUTHOR: Characters may start that way, but if they get into me, each morphs into his/her own person. Quirks, outlook, needs--they become distinct from any living relative. People have read "them" without recognition.
MLC: How long did it take you to get published? How many rejections did you have to suffer through first? Were you ever tempted to give up? What do you think made the difference when it was accepted?
AUTHOR: Say Goodbye as a first novel went nowhere. As my 3-1/2 novel, after I'd learned and reworked it, it took nine months. I got perhaps 20 rejections before I gave it up the first time. Family urged me to self-publish, but that was not my dream--or compulsion. The novel is a double award winner--the difference, I hope, is quality.
MLC: Do you ever attend any conferences? If so, which ones?
AUTHOR: The Deadly Ink writers conference in Parsippany, NJ. That's where I committed to write.
MLC: Do you have to promote your own work, or does your publisher do that for you?
AUTHOR: These days, and I speak for virtually every author I've ever met, we must do the bulk of it.
MLC: If you have to do marketing, what methods have worked the best for you?
AUTHOR: I set personal presentations before groups, mix entertainment, readings, and advice, and make friends. The quality of the series makes them repeat readers. If Hollywood catches on to what great movies these stories would make, that might make marketing easier.
MLC: Do you have any idea how your book is selling?
AUTHOR: That question deserves only one answer: as long as I'm compelled to write and find the totality an adventure, my books will be selling just fine. As long as people read the first in the series, tell me they enjoyed it and ask when the next is coming out, I am a happy man. I'd rather work on improving my craft and having fun marketing the books than worry sales. I've read that the average life of a book is 350 sales. Hey, I've beat that, and I feel like the Energizer bunny.
MLC: What has been the best review you have gotten, and why?
AUTHOR: Unlike tradition, I've never asked anyone to do an Amazon.com review--and I have four stars. I feel part of a start-up--book one still new, book two just out, novel three scheduled. These are trade paperbacks--newspapers won't touch them. Give me time; reviews will come.
MLC: Have you won any awards, either as an author or for your books? Please tell us about them.
AUTHOR: Finalist, Mystery/Suspense Category, 2008 Next Generation New Indie Book Awards, for Say Goodbye. Winner, David G. Sasher, Sr., Award for Best Unpublished Thriller of 2006, for Say Goodbye. Good start for a newbie author's first book.
MLC: Is there any one certain thing that a reader has written to you that made you just want to jump up and shout “Yes!!!!”?
AUTHOR: Let me alter the question because this is fresh in my mind. On 12/2/08 I spoke before a library group, twenty-seven people. I told them they couldn't take me seriously until I'd read them a scene. I finished to silence--and then unanimous applause. I didn't jump; I told them how happy they'd made me.
MLC: What is your next project, and when will it be out?
AUTHOR: Higher Calling, the third Reluctant Sleuth mystery, is expected to publish in June '09.
MLC: If you could write anything at all, ignoring what editors and publishers say they want, what would it be?
AUTHOR: For now, just what I'm doing. There is so much to learn that ignoring editors and writing group colleagues is not my way.
MLC: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring mystery authors?
AUTHOR: Make craft improvement your mantra, thicken your skin, listen well, don't give up, and seek a niche where your works will stand apart from others and resonate with a particular audience.
MLC: Do you have any teasers for your readers and fans about the next book?
AUTHOR: Gary's reason for living is Becca, his new wife. He tries to protect her--but when he won't let her into his sleuthing, she volunteers as a police decoy. I'll show you, buster! Does his world end when he finds her dead--or maybe. . . ?
MLC: If a genie suddenly appeared and said they would grant you just one wish for your books, what would you wish for?
AUTHOR: A movie--it would have surprise appeal--deep, adult characters offering up great adventures.
MMLC: Please give us your website url and your email address where people can contact you.
AUTHOR: www.reluctantsleuth.com, it has a Contact the Author menu.
MLC: Thank you so much for giving us a little glimpse into your books and your life. We look forward to a lot more books from you.