Cozy mystery author Kathy Aarons admits research for her
Chocolate Covered Mystery series was a hardship: sampling
chocolate, making chocolate, sampling more chocolate, and
hanging out in bookstores. Today she takes time out from all that research to
sit down for an interview. Learn more about Kathy and her books at her website.
When did
you realize you wanted to write novels?
When my youngest was in preschool five mornings a
week. She’s now off to college!
How long
did it take you to realize your dream of publication?
Since I was writing as a hobby, it took quite a
while. Once my oldest went off to college, I decided to take getting published
more seriously, and I signed with an agent in under a year. A few months later,
I was offered a contract for the Chocolate Covered mystery series.
Are you
traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?
Traditionally
Where do
you write?
Through the years, I wrote using paper, an Alphasmart
and a laptop outside a lot of theater rehearsals as well as swim, soccer and
basketball practices. Now I have a very messy office of my own.
Is silence
golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?
I use a mixture, but find my writing “flow” works
better with instrumental music, usually movie soundtracks, that fit what I’m
working on. For example, when I’m writing “funny”, I always have the soundtrack
from Benny and Joon in the
background. When I need energy, I listen to Broadway soundtracks. Right now,
I’m addicted to Once: A New Musical.
Real
settings or fictional towns?
Fictional – I like the ability to create a setting
that best fits the story.
What’s the
quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
There are too many to choose from! Henna is a widow
who creates large butterflies made of wood, wire and sheer material. She paints
them with elaborate designs using colors not found in nature.
What’s your
quirkiest quirk?
You’ll have to ask my husband that one. J
If you
could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which
one would it be? Why?
I’d love to say Harry Potter, but I’ll go with my
favorite book of all time, Belong to Me
by Marisa de los Thomas. I love her characters and her elegant but accessible
prose.
What’s your
biggest pet peeve?
Slow drivers in the fast lane. I live in southern
California, which explains a lot.
Ocean or
mountains?
Ocean! I love walking on the beach a few times a
week.
City girl/guy
or country girl/guy?
Suburbs for me. I’m too old for city life but the country
is too empty – if you were in trouble, no one could hear you scream!
What’s on
the horizon for you?
Besides adjusting to an empty nest, I’ll be getting
back the edits for Truffled to Death,
the second book in the series, soon and I’m already writing the third. I’m also
working on another series idea.
Anything
else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?
I am passionate about
expanding creative writing education for youth and believe that the arts are an
important part of life at every age.
I volunteer for the Canyon Crest Academy Writing Conference, the only free high school writing
conference in the country. One of the speakers noted that because of the
inspirational and educational workshops it provides, San Diego is going to have
more than its fair share of accomplished authors and writing professionals in
the future. I also recently joined the board for Playwrights Project http://playwrightsproject.org/ which expands playwriting
education and opportunities for youth and adults.
Death is
Like a Box of Chocolates
Whether it’s to satisfy a craving for
chocolate or pick up the hottest new bestseller, the locals in charming West
Riverdale, Maryland, are heading to Chocolates and Chapters, where everything
sold is to die for…
Best friends Michelle Serrano and Erica Russell are celebrating the sweet rewards of their combined bookstore and chocolate shop by hosting the Great Fudge Cook-off during the town’s Memorial Day weekend Arts Festival. But success turns bittersweet when Main Street’s portrait photographer is found dead in their store, poisoned by Michelle’s signature truffles.
As suspicion mounts against Michelle, her sales begin to crumble and her career seems whipped. With Erica by her side, Michelle must pick through an assortment of suspects before the future of their dream store melts away…
Best friends Michelle Serrano and Erica Russell are celebrating the sweet rewards of their combined bookstore and chocolate shop by hosting the Great Fudge Cook-off during the town’s Memorial Day weekend Arts Festival. But success turns bittersweet when Main Street’s portrait photographer is found dead in their store, poisoned by Michelle’s signature truffles.
As suspicion mounts against Michelle, her sales begin to crumble and her career seems whipped. With Erica by her side, Michelle must pick through an assortment of suspects before the future of their dream store melts away…
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12 comments:
Nice interview. This series sounds like fun, bit it might be hard on the waistline. Good luck with it, Kathy.
Thanks! I'm told that reading it makes you want to eat chocolate. :-)
I can't wait for mine to arrive!
Terrific interview, Kathy! I'm so proud of you!
Karen - I hope you like it!
Kathryn - Thank you!!
Enjoyed your interview. Best wishes with your series, Kathy!
Can't wait to taste your book!!!
Thanks Angela!
Kristin -- it's to die for. :-)
TGIF! The work week is done. Brownies are in the oven. I'm going to put on my PJs and start reading the book. Congratulations, Kathy!
Loving this new book!! But, as the author mentions, it DOES make you crave chocolate! Best to have some truffles or exotic chocolates on hand . . . just in case! So looking forward to more delicious delights from Kathy Aarons!
What a great interview. I can't wait to start reading; it's next in the queue!
Ann-Marie - Thanks! Hope you like it!
Kaye - Thanks so much! Glad you liked it!
Joclyn - Hope you enjoy it!
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