MLC: What did you do for a living before writing mysteries?
AUTHOR: What I did for a living before being a mystery writer is what I still do presently, I am a Detective in the NYPD.
MLC: What's your average day like?
AUTHOR: I get up extremely early, after very little sleep I take a couple of trains to downtown Manhattan, where I investigate crimes in an effort to protect my city.
MLC: Do you have pets?
AUTHOR: No pets currently, but I do like cats, I’ve had a few in the past, maybe in the future I’ll get a cat, who knows.
MLC: Are you a morning person or a night owl?
AUTHOR: Both. I love being up early ahead of everything and I enjoy night life as well.
MLC: What groups are you a member of that you feel are important for you as a writer?
AUTHOR: The Mystery Writers of America, New York chapter.
MLC: When did you start writing?
AUTHOR: I’ve always written for myself and decided to take a shot at professionally writing. About three years ago.
MLC: Have you taught writing classes?
AUTHOR: I’ve never taught writing.
MLC: Have you taken writing classes?
AUTHOR: When I decided to pursue writing for young adults I attended & graduated from The Institute of Children’s Literature.
MLC: What are your views on critique groups?
AUTHOR: I never attended one. I’m a solitary person and I never read reviews of my work.
MLC: What is your favorite subgenre of mysteries?
AUTHOR: Ratiocinative Detectives (or reporter, P.I.)
MLC: What has been your biggest challenge in being published?
AUTHOR: Finding every opportunity to promote my work and remain interesting to readers.
MLC: Why did you decide to write the mysteries you're writing?
AUTHOR: I remember enjoying Young Adult mysteries and getting an interest in reading because of it. I like to encourage youngsters to read by giving them something entertaining. I believe it creates smarter adults, young people not intimidated by a job application or instructions.
MLC: How did you choose the setting for your mysteries?
AUTHOR: It’s a lot of what I’ve known, growing up in an inner city community. When you are a youngster, that community is the whole world to you.
MLC: What was the inspiration for your mysteries?
AUTHOR: Some work I’ve experienced as a Detective and a desire to create an updated and more developed teen sleuth. I like Nancy Drew & The Hardy’s but they were always boilerplate descriptions that never changed and we never knew anything else about them. Also their lives were perfect; they were attractive, talented, smart, and strong. My teen sleuths are anything but perfect and you will relate to them.
MLC: What writers have inspired you?
AUTHOR: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Rex Stout, Gregory MacDonald, and recently Ian Rankin.
MLC: How do you come up with your plot ideas for your mysteries?
AUTHOR: A formula where my narrator (who lacks a lot of confidence) usually delves into some trouble that he drags the lateral thinking Matthew and self sufficient Sandra into to help him where he falls short. I say drag but I think deep down they are there for him because they care.
MLC: How do you research for your mysteries? How long does it take?
AUTHOR: I hear so many writers say they go away to, for example, the south of France, because they need to write and get ideas for their next book. I fight crime during the day and when I have the luxury of free time I write my mysteries, wherever I can. Sometimes home, a restaurant, or whatever I can get. No holidays for me. The research in my books has already been done because I’ve been exposed to it first hand.
MLC: Is the setting of your mysteries imaginary or real? Why?
AUTHOR: The setting for my books is indeed real.
MLC: Do you live where you set your mysteries?
AUTHOR: My readers are still asking me that, they need to hang on a little bit until my books’ setting is revealed, and there is a reason for that.
MLC: Tell us about your latest mystery.
AUTHOR: I hope by Christmas time book 2 in my series will be released. My title is Matthew Livingston & the Millionaire’s Murder.
When an old time philanthropist dies mysteriously, Dennis (my narrator) is actually suspected. When the Police deem his death an accident, Matthew Livingston suspects he was murdered. Along with Sandra and Dennis, Matthew embarks on an investigation to expose a killer and stop a plot that is designed in pure terror.
Website: www.myspace.com/matthewlivingston
E-mail address: superteensleuth@yahoo.com