MLC: Do you remember the first mystery you ever read? If so, what was it, and what pulled you into it?
AUTHOR: It was a Nancy Drew mystery. I remember thinking how cool it was that a girl could have adventures like she had.
MLC: When did you first decide you wanted to write a mystery, and what led you to that decision?
AUTHOR: I had always thought I wanted to write a novel, but I never really thought about what genre. It wasn’t until after I started writing my first book that I realized I was writing a mystery. It just came naturally.
MLC: Do you write in any other genres? If so, which ones?
AUTHOR: No, just mysteries so far.
MLC: Which comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
AUTHOR: The plot definitely came first in my first book. The second one was a continuation of the characters from the first so I guess in that respect they came first, but I always develop a plot line first and then my characters make it happen.
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 never think I can solve all the world’s mysteries, but I do definitely try to solve them when I’m reading or watching one on a movie or television. When I’m writing, I put the characters in the worst mess I can and then I try to figure out how I’m going to get them out.
MLC: Do you write every day, or what kind of a schedule do you have? Do you write full-time, or do you have a “day job”?
AUTHOR: I try to write everyday, but I don’t. When I write, I always start early in the morning and sometimes I will keep writing all day long without ever getting out of my pajamas. Those are the days I enjoy the most. I’m no longer practicing law. My novels are a full-time endeavor for me now.
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: Like most writers, of course I love to read, but I also love going to the movies and eating the popcorn. The most important thing to me in my day-to-day life is my family…my sisters, my brothers, my nieces and nephews. I’m fortunate to have been born into a very large family.
MLC: Who are your favorite mystery authors? Do you try to emulate them in your own writing?
AUTHOR: I like legal suspense novels by authors such as Lisa Scottoline, Paul Levine, and John Grisham. They all write so differently and I don’t try to emulate them but I’m sure I pick up certain things without realizing it.
MLC: In your present book, is this part of a series, or is it a standalone book?
AUTHOR: The Advocate’s Betrayal is the second book in a series. However, it does not have to be read in order. Each storyline is a completely different plot and legal case.
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 do not see an immediate end to the series. As long as my characters continue to have adventures that my readers enjoy, I expect to keep writing the series.
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: When my characters get away from me, I usually let them go for a bit to see where they lead me. More often than not, they stay within their character even though I may not have thought it would work initially.
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 protagonist, Sabre, is a lawyer and has had some of the same experiences I had in court but she is not me. She is younger, prettier, thinner, smarter, and richer than me. I do base my stories on cases I was once involved in. They are, however, definitely fiction.
Sabre’s best friend, Bob, is very much like my friend and colleague. He knows it and we have had a lot of fun with it. Most of my characters are compilations of different people. Sometimes I have someone in mind but by the time I finish with the character they have totally changed.
I do use a lot of the names of family and friends in my books, but they seldom match the personality of a real life person.
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 was very fortunate to not have to suffer through the rejection process like most of my fellow authors. I was picked up rather quickly.
MLC: Do you ever attend any conferences? If so, which ones?
AUTHOR: I have attended Southern California Writers Conference many times. I also go to Bouchercon whenever I can, Left Coast Crime, and recently attended ThrillerFest in NYC. They are all such wonderful places to gain knowledge and meet other authors.
MLC: Do you have to promote your own work, or does your publisher do that for you?
AUTHOR: I am extremely fortunate to have ZOVA Books as my publisher for The Advocate’s Betrayal that promotes my book for me. In addition, they do all my scheduling, press releases, and many other wonderful things that help promote my book.
MLC: If you have to do marketing, what methods have worked the best for you?
AUTHOR: I do a lot of book signings in stores as well as a lot of speaking events, all of which my publisher schedules for me. I also do the social network thing online, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
MLC: Do you have any idea how your book is selling?
AUTHOR: It’s actually doing quite well. I’m very pleased with the numbers.
MLC: What has been the best review you have gotten, and why?
AUTHOR: I think one of the best reviews I have received was from a man whose daughter purchased my book for him. He sent me an e-mail and said, “…you’re a great story teller. I have narrowed my list of authors to the following four- John Grisham, Larry McMurtry, Michael Crichton, Michael Connelly, but now after enjoying your writing style I am including you (the first female) to my list.” I’m honored to be on his “list.”
MLC: Have you won any awards, either as an author or for your books? Please tell us about them.
AUTHOR: Not 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: I received an e-mail from a reader recently that brought on that kind of feeling. Here’s her story: I recently saw you signing and bought your book for my dad because he loves court cases. I gave it to my dad and never heard whether he liked it or not and forgot about it. I guess my mom read it next and then it was in the bag she
gives back to me when she's finished with all her reads. She is an invalid a lot of the time and I supply her and dad with many books. It just makes them so happy to get new books. I pulled the book out of
the bag just before delivering it to my favorite used bookstore. I took it to my favorite Mexican food hangout and started reading. I really couldn't put it down. I was about a fourth done and called my mom. I said "Mom, this advocate book is really good writing." She said, "I know, I couldn't put it down." I said, "Why didn't you tell me?" She said "I thought I had"....lol.
That was definitely a “jump up, fist-in-the-air, Yes!”
MLC: What is your next project, and when will it be out?
AUTHOR: My next novel is the third in the Advocate series and will be released next spring, around Memorial Day.
MLC: If you could write anything at all, ignoring what editors and publishers say they want, what would it be?
AUTHOR: Right now I’m really enjoying what I’m writing, but some day I would like to write a memoir and maybe some young adult novels.
MLC: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring mystery authors?
AUTHOR: In the words of Nike, “Just do it!”
MLC: Do you have any teasers for your readers and fans about the next book?
AUTHOR: All I will say is that it deals with satanic ritual abuse. A heavy but interesting subject.
MLC: If a genie suddenly appeared and said they would grant you just one wish for your books, what would you wish for?
AUTHOR: Is Oprah listening? The genie could take me there. I’d be happy.
MMLC: Please give us your Web site url and your e-mail address where people can contact you.
AUTHOR: The Web site is www.teresaburrell.com, and my e-mail address is teresa@teresaburrell.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.