MLC: What did you do for a living before writing mysteries?
AUTHOR: In my past life, I was CEO of Mission Critical Marketing and handled marketing/communications as well as new product launches for a number of multi-national technology, medical, and financial clients.
MLC: How did you become an author?
AUTHOR: I wrote constantly in my 25-plus year career in marketing. But eight years ago, I decided to sell my company and segue into mystery writing. A dear friend introduced me to Mary Higgins Clark, who invited me to attend a Mystery Writers of America symposium in New York. There, thanks to Mary’s help, I networked with dozens of agents, editors, and publishers. Within 5 months, the planets seemed to align and I was lucky enough to nail down a 3-book contract for the Tea Shop Mystery series.
MLC: Your Scrapbook Mysteries and Tea Shop Mysteries fall into the genre of the traditional "cozy" mystery. Tell us about that.
AUTHOR: I think a lot of women are tired of thriller-killer-slasher-type books. They simply don’t want that type of book on their nighttime reading table. They’re looking for a respite, a story where the female characters are smart, savvy, and caring. Cozies by nature are mysteries that feature a sort of “bloodless murder” and where the bad guy (or girl) is brought to justice in the end.
MLC: Let's talk about the Tea Shop Mysteries and where this series is going.
AUTHOR: The Tea Shop Mysteries just sort of took off from the get-go. I was shocked when the very first one, Death by Darjeeling, landed at #1 on the Mystery Bestseller List and then got picked up by the Literary Guild and was awarded their 2001 New Discovery Award. That really gave me the impetus to fully develop the characters and really run with the whole tea shop theme. It’s hard to believe, but book #9, The Silver Needle Murder, just came out this past March 2008. And there are 3 more Tea Shop Mysteries that I’m working on.
MLC: And then there's your Scrapbook Mystery series. Tell us what motivated you to write this series.
AUTHOR: I was searching for another “niche” that hadn’t been explored yet and landed on Scrapbooking. This is a hobby that’s rocketed from phenomena to a huge mainstream industry. Plus scrapbooking dovetails into journaling, genealogy scrapping, rubber stamping, and card making. I also figured a scrapbook, which often includes old photos, news clippings, etc., would be a dandy place to hide clues!
MLC: And now a third seres--the Cackleberry Club Mysteries.
AUTHOR: This is a fun one. Three forty-plus, semi-desperate women who run the Cackleberry Club in small town Kindred. Eggs are the specialty in the morning (hence the title of the first book, Eggs in Purgatory). In the afternoon my ladies serve tea, do catering, and cake decorating. There’s also a small book nook and knitting nest. Have I missed anything?
MLC: In writing your mysteries, how are your characters created? Does the inspiration for them come from real life?
AUTHOR: As strange as it may sound, characters just seem to pop into my head. People always ask if I do index cards or plan intricate bios. I can’t imagine doing anything that studied. To me writing is about intuition and gut instinct – you’ve got to sit back and let the characters speak to you (even the ones inspired by real life). My characters always seem to be buzzing around inside my head like people in a crowded elevator. My job is to pry open the doors so they can elbow their way out.
MLC: How do you come up with your plot ideas for your mysteries?
AUTHOR: I just run a few “what if” scenarios through my brain. If one seems to lodge in my hard drive, I noodle in around for a few weeks, see if I can spin a logical story from it.
MLC: How do you research for your mysteries? How long does it take?
AUTHOR: I do research as I’m writing. For example, if I know I have antique doubloons in a story, I run a Google search when I get to that part. For each book I write, I also create what I call a “concept book.” It’s a notebook filled with information, fun factoids, miscellaneous clippings, recipes, whatever strikes my fancy.
MLC: You often interject comedic elements. How does this add to the story?
AUTHOR: I grew up watching The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Remember the lady who clubbed her husband with a leg of lamb and then cooked the murder weapon? For every serious moment in my story lines, I try to add a quirky counterpoint that helps balance things out and remind readers that most things in life are laughable.
MLC: What is the best and worst part of writing mystery novels?
AUTHOR: The best part is that I’m my own boss. The worst part is that I’m my own boss. Seriously, it’s nice to stay home and work in your pajamas, but I really miss having a creative group around me.
MLC: So . . . are you a morning person or a night owl?
AUTHOR: Neither. I get up at 8 and go to bed at 11:30.
MLC: Have you taught writing classes?
AUTHOR: Only advertising copywriting to a few dozen or so interns who worked for me over the years.
MLC: What are your views on critique groups?
AUTHOR: Let me put it this way, I never would have let my TV spots and marketing plans get critiqued by my competitors, so why would I start now? I hate to be brutally honest, but publishing is a very tough business and you have to find your own path.
MLC: What writers have inspired you?
AUTHOR: Stephen King for sure – I really wish I could conjure up a few horror stories myself. John Sandford for great character-driven books and impeccable plotting. I also love Robert Crais and, of course, Mary Higgins Clark. She truly is the Queen of Suspense.
MLC: How long does it take you to pen your books?
AUTHOR: I try to write about 2,000 words per day, which is actually a good long day of writing. If I can stay on track with that, I can generally get my book done fairly quickly – maybe 3 or 4 months. Then I let it “age” for a while before I go back and punch it up. There hasn’t been a thing written that couldn’t use a little punching up.
MLC: Got any “writing words of wisdom?”
AUTHOR: My writing philosophy is a lot like Nike. Just do it. Sit down, sip a little tea, develop a story outline/time line, then just keep chipping away at the writing. You don’t need personal assistants, incense, feng shui, or anything remotely tricky. If you log quality time you’ll start to produce quality work!
MLC: Tell us about Laura, the person.
AUTHOR: I’m married to Dr. Robert Poor, a professor of Chinese and Japanese Art History. We live on two acres of woods with two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs, Asia and Moosha. We travel, collect art, and serve on the boards of a couple of non-profit organizations.
MLC: Tell us about your latest mystery.
AUTHOR: My brand new mystery is Death Swatch (Sept, 2008 from Berkley Prime Crime). It’s the sixth Scrapbook Mystery set in New Orleans and takes place during Mardi Gras. Carmela, my protagonist and owner of Memory Mine Scrapbook Shop, gets pulled into a bizarre murder investigation that takes her into the dark recesses of a Vampyre Club, hurricane-ravaged buildings, and a haunted bayou where the pirate Jean Lafitte’s treasure may be buried.
Website: www.laurachilds.com