MLC: Do you remember the first mystery you ever read? If so, what was it, and what pulled you into it?
AUTHOR: Yikes. This goes way back – I will refrain from saying how far – to when I was ten and was given my first Nancy Drew Mystery, The Password to Larkspur Lane. I still remember the cover! What amazes me now is that the book was written in 1933 and I never knew it. Of course, the best part was the hunt for clues and the surprise reveal at the end. It’s always a challenge to match wits with any mystery book’s sleuth, which is why I was soon on to Agatha Christie mysteries.
MLC: When did you first decide you wanted to write a mystery, and what led you to that decision?
AUTHOR: I didn’t realize I was doing it at the time, but my seven historical romances (written as Linda O’Brien) were actually romantic mysteries. My poor editor had to keep reminding me that I was supposed to be writing love stories, so I finally decided if my tendency was to write a whodunit, then why not do it?
MLC: Do you write in any other genres? If so, which ones?
AUTHOR: I’m focusing solely on mystery writing right now.
MLC: Which comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
AUTHOR: The plot. I write a series called The Flower Shop Mysteries that has a recurring cast of characters, so I only have to decide which character gets the focus in a particular book.
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: I solve mysteries daily; e.g. “Honey, where’s my black sock?” or “Mom, what’s in this container that’s been in the fridge for 2 weeks?” I’m particularly good at guessing the guilty party on TV crime shows and in movies (which irritates my husband no end). What I can’t solve are math problems. Hmmm. Maybe that would make a good plot. “Author Croaks When Clues Don’t Add Up.”
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: Writing is my full time job. I’m on the computer at 9: 00 a.m., to take care of email and promotional business, then I write until noon, take a break for lunch and work until 3:30 – 4:00 p.m., depending on how close I am to my deadline. If it’s close I may work after supper until 10:00 p.m., or until my fingers refuse to type another stroke.
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: I love the outdoors, love to grow flowers (Hmm. The Flower Shop Mysteries – who’da thought?) and I love to walk, which I do religiously, even when it’s zero degrees outside, though I can’t say I don’t complain the whole time. Those days are true tests of will power. Taking care of my health, and spending time with my husband and children – those are the most important things to me – besides dark chocolate.
MLC: Who are your favorite mystery authors? Do you try to emulate them in your own writing?
AUTHOR: I try to read a wide variety of mysteries and don’t have any particular favorites, although the humor of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolf books has been a source of inspiration. More than the type of book, I tend to pick out writing styles to emulate, and my all time favorite writer is Barbara Kingsolver. Her writing is simply beautiful.
MLC: In your present book, is this part of a series, or is it a standalone book?
AUTHOR: DEARLY DEPOTTED is the third book of the Flower Shop Mysteries. Each book can stand alone, but I know a lot of readers like to start at the beginning, where there’s more in-depth character information.
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: I would love to carry this series on for several years. I’ve just finished the fourth book, out in May, 2006, called SNIPPED IN THE BUD, and am just now starting the fifth. After that, if they continue to rise in popularity, I’ll keep going.
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: I love it when the characters do something unexpected. Usually the plot will then twist in a way I hadn’t anticipated, and that makes it fun for me. I like to be surprised, too.
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: My sleuth, Abby Knight, is the person I often wish I were, and sometimes fear I am. She makes mistakes, has lots of flaws, steps on toes, puts her foot in her mouth, feels passionately about justice, hates bullies (in all forms, including governmental) loves animals, and isn’t afraid to take a stand. She goes boldly where I would fear to tread and utters things I would love to say. Otherwise, she is totally fictional.
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: I had been writing stories for children’s magazines, and decided to try my hand at novel-length fiction, which I quickly learned was a whole different ball game. I wrote one book that was rejected by two publishing houses, then I went to a writer’s conference and learned the nuts and bolts of plotting and submitting, wrote a new book, and pitched it to an editor at another conference. She asked to see it, I sent it, and one revision later, she bought it. I am convinced she asked to see it because it had an unusual hook to it. And the writing was good.
MLC: Do you ever attend any conferences? If so, which ones?
AUTHOR: I have attended many RWA conferences, also my first Malice Domestic this past April, and I’ll be going to my first Bouchercon this September. I’m very excited.
MLC: Do you have to promote your own work, or does your publisher do that for you?
AUTHOR: I promote my books for the largest part. NAL sends out review copies and has designed ads for me to use, which I really appreciated.
MLC: If you have to do marketing, what methods have worked the best for you?
AUTHOR: I send out mailings to mystery bookstores scattered across the country about two months before the book is due out, trying to get their interest, and I also try to do as much internet advertising as my budget will allow. Plus, I hand out bookmarks to everyone who even blinks in my direction. I will chase down a bum on the street, if he will promise to spread the word.
MLC: Do you have any idea how your book is selling?
AUTHOR: I don’t know how many total copies – too soon for that – but I know that the volume of fan letters has risen and that DEARLY DEPOTTED, as with the other two in the series, has made the Barnes & Noble mass market mystery best-seller list. It has also been featured on a number of Australian and European websites.
MLC: What has been the best review you have gotten, and why?
AUTHOR: Tough question. I’ve gotten lots of good reviews, but I’d have to say the best one is a review on my latest book that I just received. I always worry that subsequent stories won’t live up to the readers expectations from the last book, so it’s a huge relief when they do. This review said, in part, “DEARLY DEPOTTED is a fantastic follow-up to SLAY IT WITH FLOWERS. Ms. Collins’ writing style is crisp, her characters fun, and her stories are well thought-out and engaging. . . . All in all, this is an enjoyable adventure and well worth the read!” What a high to read that.
MLC: Have you won any awards, either as an author or for your books? Please tell us about them.
AUTHOR: I haven’t . . . yet.
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: Yes!! It was this line in an email: “Please, PLEASE tell me you will be writing more books in this series. I can’t wait to read them! I love your books.” That letter came from Canada, and I live in the U.S.
MLC: What is your next project, and when will it be out?
AUTHOR: Next out is book four in the series, SNIPPED IN THE BUD (May, 2006)
MLC: If you could write anything at all, ignoring what editors and publishers say they want, what would it be?
AUTHOR: Mysteries with lots of humor, exactly what I’m writing.
MLC: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring mystery authors?
AUTHOR: Make your characters likable. I read one book where the sleuth was so obnoxious I didn’t care if she solved the murder case or not.
MLC: Do you have any teasers for your readers and fans about the next book?
AUTHOR: Oh, yeah. Let’s just say the plot involves a Knight (as in Abby) fighting a (Snap)dragon. It is a Flower Shop Mystery, after all.
MLC: If a genie suddenly appeared and said they would grant you just one wish for your books, what would you wish for?
AUTHOR: For the books to be made into a TV mystery series. Can’t you just picture the Flower Shop, Bloomers, as a backdrop?
MLC: Please give us your website url and your email address where people can contact you.
AUTHOR: www.katecollinsbooks.com or they can write me at katecollinsbooks@Yahoo.com
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.