Friday's Interesting People: Elizabeth Craig

I could not proceed with Friday’s Interesting People without one of my favorite cozy writers guesting here. I am thrilled to welcome the lovely and most talented author Elizabeth Craig to FIP.


Elizabeth is a writer of several cozy mysteries with her latest book, Quilt or Innocence, released June 5, 2012.  

JW: I (and many others) know you write cozy mysteries because I (and many others) have read your work. But, Elizabeth, IF you decided one day to write a different genre what would that be?

Elizabeth: If I had to write another mystery subgenre, then I’d choose police procedurals.  But if I chose a totally different genre, I’d like to try historical family sagas or middle-grade fantasy.

JW: You are a talented writer and not because I say so, but because you are. Do you have other talents? What are they? And don’t be modest.  

Elizabeth: I don’t do anything as well as I write, and in that respect, I’m a one-trick pony (although it’s a good trick!) Other than that—I’m good at learning languages, I guess.  I took years of Latin and French. I’m a good mom, most of the time.  I’m very good at being punctual and I’m pretty organized.

JW: Remember back to the first time you had a book published, how did that feel? Does it still feel awesome or like old news?

Elizabeth: It still feels awesome because it was tinged with that element of sheer luck and luck feels like magic. That’s because it was a slush pile book and through the years I’ve realized how much luck played into that book being picked up. I’m not sure I really realized that at the time.

JW: I know you’ve told me before but please tell me again, what is your daily writing schedule like?  



Elizabeth: During the school year, I get up before five a.m. and write.  I usually get about 2 pages done before 5:30 a.m.  Then I do promo-related writing and promo activities (mostly scheduling Twitter and responding to different emails) until lunchtime (and I also do housework and stuff like that then.)  At 1:45 I sit in the high school carpool line and write for another 30 minutes, finishing another 1.5 pages. Once the kids are home, I’m basically done for the day.  In the summer, I still write first thing and I still break my writing sessions in half with an early-afternoon second session.

JW: What are you working on right now? Do you have approximate release dates? 

Elizabeth: Right now I’m frantically working to finish the 4^th Memphis Barbeque book, due July 1. I’m editing it now and want to add in another subplot.  That book should come out in early summer 2013. 

JW: As a child, did you have a dog, a cat or an imaginary friend? Did you name any of them? 

Elizabeth: Through the years, I had dogs Penny, Cleo, and Snuffy.  I had cats Snowy, Tar Baby, Harriet, and Ben. Tar Baby was a favorite.  My imaginary friend was an alter ego of mine, Super E. Super E could fly, lived inside a tree, and could be invisible. Being invisible was something I really liked the idea of!

JW: Were you as a child: a. Loner b. Leader c. Bossy d. Follower e. Shy  

Elizabeth: a. I’ve never been shy, but I’ve always been a loner. I’ve always liked watching other people/activities instead of joining in.

JW: What did you believe, as a child, that you found out later was not correct?

Elizabeth: I believed if I threw sand into the ocean, the waves would get bigger. J

JW: What was your favorite book or author when you were in grade school?

Elizabeth: My favorite series were Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden (no surprises there!)

JW: Here are a few random questions for you. Let’s start with, what are you reading right now?  

Elizabeth: Right now, I’m reading House of Silence by Linda Gillard. 

JW: Do you have neat handwriting or “I should have been a physician” handwriting? My handwriting is a disaster! 

Elizabeth: When I sign books, I’m particularly embarrassed. I always got bad grades in handwriting.

JW: Coffee, Tea, both or neither? Coffee!

Elizabeth: I like tea, but it’s not my favorite.

JW: Ok, imagine this: You get to spend a day in one of your favorite childhood books and with your favorite character(s). Which book would that be? Which character(s) would you hang out with? Will you suggest the activity for the day or leave it up to the book’s character(s)? 

Elizabeth: This is funny, but I’d rather not spend the day with Nancy and Trixie.  I’d rather spend it in the 100 Acre Wood with Winnie-the-Pooh. I’d let Pooh decide what to do.  The sad thing is that I’d like so much just to do nothing, like he usually did…but it’s so very hard for me to sit still.  But I’d still really, really like to do nothing.

JW: Thanks so much, Elizabeth for letting me ask my questions. You’re still as authentic and awesome as you were when I first followed you.

Here’s a little more about Elizabeth and her books AND where you can buy them.

Elizabeth’s latest book, Quilt or Innocence, was released June 5. Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque series for Penguin/Berkley (as Riley Adams), the Southern Quilting mysteries for Penguin/NAL, and the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink and independently. She blogs at Mystery Writing is Murder.

 Previous releases and links:

Hickory Smoked Homicide (2011)
Finger Lickin’ Dead (2011)
Delicious and Suspicious (2010)
Progressive Dinner Deadly
A Dyeing Shame
Pretty is as Pretty Dies (2009)

Thank you, Elizabeth, for being my guest here today.

Questions for you all: Are you following Elizabeth? Who (author or title) were YOU reading or watching (on TV) when you were, let’s say, nine years old?  What is your favorite genre?

Monday Randomness

Vacation

I’m officially on vacation. I slept eight hours last night. Two things that warrant applause, please. I haven’t slept eight full hours in a while. Good thing, too; I have lots going on this week.

Speaking of this week…

Two appliances are scheduled to be delivered. Does anyone else hate spending money on appliances? I would rather go on a genuine vacation somewhere exciting. My appliances still work, but are on their last mechanical leg.

I’m being real here when I say that I doubt the installation and hook-up will go smoothly since my house is old AND the last time I bought a refrigerator was 1988 and dishwasher 1984. I had to pay more for the frig (than I had budgeted) just to get it to (hopefully) go (please) inside the existing cabinet opening.

Now since I try to not let one day go by without applying Murphy’s Law to my life, I imagine tomorrow will supply many surprises of which I will melt down over.  Just warning you.

Writing

Grim Tales of the Ruralhood (potential eBook) is with a couple readers. I’d really like to find one more reader.

I finally had to write myself a letter AND send an email to encourage me to stop revising and get it out to the readers. I was a little obsessed. Sometimes you’ve got to let it go in order to go on. You can quote me on that.

There’s a psycho-thriller movie that I really like, that I think is brilliant, and it kept me guessing to the very end. I pride myself on figuring out who did it or ‘untwist” the twisted ending when I read a book or watch a movie. To see for myself what makes this movie tick, I started dissecting the movie last Friday keeping track of scenes, clues, red herrings, plot points and so on. It’s taking me some time. I'm learning from the process.

Last Weekend

 Over the weekend, my brother and his family were in from a foreign country—Illinois.

That'll be all, folks.

Your questions: Will my new appliances last as long as the last ones? Say yes. Do you have a movie or book that you think is brilliant? Have you ever been to the foreign land of Illinois?

Worry

I have times when I am anxious (or worry) and those times tend to feed my OCD. For instance, I check my curling irons a bazillion times before leaving the house, and if I don’t, I’ve been known to turn my car around and go back home just to check on them.

I started worrying about storms when I was a teenager. As a young adulthood, my worrying spilled over into my little son and caused him to fear storms. I wanted to modify my behavior (pacing and looking out windows) and thereby change MY reactions to MY anxiety. I formed new behaviors.

Scripture says, “An anxious heart weighs down a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Proverbs 12:25 (NIV) 

Where fear may be beneficial, worry has never benefitted me one iota.

“Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.” Proverbs 3: 25-26 (NIV)

Anxiety hasn’t:

·         Stopped people from dying.

·         Made a job better.

·         Made a storm disappear.

·         Changed one thing…except my wellbeing.

What worry (or anxiousness) does is compromises the joy of life. Anxiety steals peace.

^“ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7 (NIV)

Worrying doesn’t change one thing about what happens in my day. Knowing I’m in God’s hands—helps me deal with my worry.

Scripture source: Holy Bible, BibleGateway.com

Friday's Interesting People: Kit Grady

Today, I welcome Kit Grady to Friday’s Interesting People. I don’t know how long I’ve been following Kit's blog, but I am a fan of her work. You see, I draw a bit myself (like a kindergartener) and there are artists in my family and I love art. OK? Those are my reasons.

Kit is an over the top—great illustrator AND she is an author, as well. I hope you’ll notice some of her illustrations that I may have (with permission) sprinkled along the way.

JW: You began drawing at a young age. Was there a moment when you realized your drawing/sketching was above average? (Tell us about that.)

Kit: I can’t remember when I have not drawn. My mom has kept lot of my early drawings for     me. Some good and some not so good. I think her encouragement has had a strong impression on me. The one time she was not pleased with my work, was when I took a  big red crayon and drew a life size person holding a jump rope in one hand on my brick house and drew the rope all the way around the house (on the house) to the life size person’s other hand. I was given lots of paper after that.

JW: Do you have formal training in art or are you self trained to be an artist?

Kit: I attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, majoring in commercial art for several years, but later I continued to learn and practice on my own. I have played around with cartoons, children’s activity pages for newspapers and had a line of greeting cards before really focusing on children’s illustration. My first book was written, just to have a vehicle to illustrate. Now, I have fallen in love with writing too. But one never stops practicing and improving their craft, so I try to draw or write every day.

JW: How many books have you illustrated thus far?

Kit: I believe about fifteen, total. I illustrated the three books that I wrote: A Necklace for Jiggsy with Guardian angel Publishing, Just on More Mom, with Kaeden Books, and Mollie the Merbaby with Meegenius, an ebook on itunes. I have also illustrated for several private authors. One author, Tracey Delio, has this loveable cat and has written a series of three books about LOUIE V. I have enjoyed illustrating for her. I am a staff Illustrator for Guardian Angel Publishing and have completed about ten books for them with many of their talented authors.

JW: Aside from your day job, what’s your daily schedule like for your craft?

Kit: I try to work 10am -2pm on email, marketing and illustration work. After a break, I try to write for a couple hours. In the middle, I’m walking the dog, buying groceries and doing a little gardening. I will be planning a story as I’m cleaning. Sometimes I do not get as much done as I would like, but I think that is normal for everyone.

JW: Where do you get your ideas for characters?

Kit: I think all I’ve experienced, whether it is just life’s craziness, nature’s colors, a grin on an opossum, seeing a lonely child, or a dripping ice cream cone; everything contributes to my views of this world and it somehow finds its way into my art. Even, when I’m not really looking for ideas, they pop in and I have a small notebook just to jot down ideas and thoughts and possible titles, before I forget about them.

JW: What are you working on right now?

Kit: I am working on a middle grade novel and I’m up to 14,000 words.  It is a story of a young girl who befriends old ladies at a nursing home and finds herself, trying to save an endangered species. It sounds like a lot to cram in, but so far it is working well. This so different than writing a picture book and limiting word count to less than 800 words. I’m also working on some illustrations to mail out for a promotions campaign. Sketching and drawing are always part of my works in progress.

JW: Ok, Kit, let’s talk childhood. As a child, did you have a dog, a cat or an imaginary friend?

Kit: I have always had animals and I think that is why I really love to draw animal a bit more than people. We had dogs, cats, hamsters, turtle, newts, rabbits and chickens. Each named, of course, even the 10 chickens. My first book was about one of my favorite pets, Jiggsy. It wasn’t hard to write because that was exactly how he would have acted.

JW: Were you: a. Loner b. Leader c. Bossy d. Follower e. Shy

Kit: I think I was shy as a child. I tried to be the comedian of my friends growing up. As I think about it, I’m not sure how that combination would work. Ha!

JW:  Now think back. What did you believe, as a child, that you found out later was not correct?

Kit: Ha, I did think all cats were girls and all dogs were boys, I never thought too much about the stork!

JW: Let’s talk random stuff. Neat handwriting or “I should have been a physician” handwriting?

Kit: Not so neat. I print a lot.

JW: Coffee, Tea, both or neither?

Kit: Gosh, I love coffee. I start my day with coffee. I have to stop about 1pm or I do not sleep well.

JW: Ok, imagine this: You wake up one morning and you have become one of your illustrated characters. Who would you like to be and what would your day be like.

Kit: I would love to be my Mollie, the Merbaby, and spend the day playing in the sea with all my friend sea creatures, like Silly Fish and Sharp Tooth. I would love to be surrounded with bright beautiful colors, bubbles and able to swim all day. What a life.

I would like to thank you, Teresa, for having me on your Journaling Woman Blog. I have really enjoyed being here.

JW: Thank YOU, Kit. I’ve really enjoyed having you here on JW.

Kit Grady is a children’s illustrator and author, who lives in North Carolina in the United States. She began drawing at an early age. Kit’s clients include The United Methodist Publishing House, Kaeden books and is a staff illustrator at the Guardian Angel Publishing. She won first place in the 2011 SCBWI Carolina’s Children Picture Book Manuscript contest where her picture book is currently under revisions with a publishing house. She has an eBook released by Meegenius Publishers titled Mollie the Merbaby , where Kit is author and illustrator.  She has a long list of credits as illustrator for other author books, as well. Kit Grady can be found at www.kitgrady.com, www.kitgrady.blogspot.com  and on Twitter and Facebook. You can purchase her eBook here.

Questions for you: Are you following Kit? Do you like to draw? Is your talent better than mine (the kindergartener)?

JW

Thought for the Day - Words

Have you noticed that words are everywhere? Where would be without words? Songs would be only music. Book pages might be blank. Sure we could communicate with drawings and photos, but that would be laborious.

Words are powerful.

·         Love you.
·         You’re stupid.
·         Good job.
·         You can’t do anything right.
·         You can do anything you want to do.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but without words what’s the picture worth? Ok – a lot visually.

Words are powerful.

Speak it or write it. Today be wordy, but wise.

Randomly Speaking

Friday’s Interesting People

I’m having a blast with Friday’s Interesting People. Thanks so much for visiting and supporting me and those I feature.

Last Friday, I featured the wonderful Mary Aalgaard from Play off the Page.  This Friday, we’ll welcome illustrator and writer Kit Grady from Kit Grady Creations.  

  

Blogging

This weekend my daughter and I were talking about blogging. I can’t remember exactly what we were talking about, but I said to her that Alex Cavanaugh is the nicest person I don’t know. We both laughed at my statement.  I explained that he’s kind, very supportive, and his blog is informative and reflects his tastes and character. He’s also an awesome writer. 

Our conversation brought to mind why I began blogging in 2009. I could have started earlier, but—well, I got in my own way again. Read on.  

A couple of years before I started blogging, I was ordered told by my daughter and sister (who blogged) that I should start and thereby hook up with writing blogs. They believed since I had “written” for years that I would enjoy blogging. I told them –no. Actually, I think my words were, “NO, I will NEVER blog.”   I dismissed the suggestion.

Fast forward to July 2009, I had cleared the cobwebs from my mind (vacation) and decided I would give it a chance. I would blog.

My first two posts were about an encounter with a plastic bag at the grocery store and heat stroke.  I didn’t have one comment, not one follower nor had I followed anyone. But, I was immediately hooked on posting. I wondered what had taken me so long.  I blame my family members for not being more persistent.  

Although my eclectic interests have led me to follow an assorted group of blogs, I WAS looking for writer blogs from the beginning. The first writer blog I found (and still learn from today) was Elizabeth Craig’s blog, Mystery Writing is Murder.  

Along the way, I’ve met so many incredible bloggers. I follow writers, those who are renovating something, shooting photographs, raising children, writing poetry, traveling in an RV, illustrating, painting canvas, living on farms, and so many others that I can’t mention them all.  (That reminds me I need to update my blogroll.) And this year the A to Z Challenge brought precious new bloggers to me.  What a great thing!

I think blogging rocks, but don’t tell my sister and daughter that I said that, OKAY? They don’t need to know about my happiness.  I mean how would you feel about being “bossed” into blogging?

Stephen Tremp Party

Breakthrough Breakout FREE Kindle Download Party!!!! All week Stephen Tremp will be handing out free downloads of his book. You can visit Stephen’s site for synopses and reviews at http://breakthroughblogs.blogspot.com and learn how to get your own download.  

Questions for you: When did you start blogging? Can you describe your blog in one sentence?

Friday’s Interesting People- Mary Aalgaard

(Mary in character as Aubrey before a performance.)

Today, I am fipping out (yes I said fipping) because blogger friend, Mary Aalgaard is here on this week’s episode of Friday’s Interesting People.  Mary has a blog called Play Off the Page and if you’ve spent any time on her blog (or lurked) you may recall that she writes articles, teaches piano, is a playwright and a mom of four boys. But, why am I telling you this when we can hear from Mary herself.

Hey, Mary, thanks for coming by and agreeing to be one of my FIPs. Let’s talk about your writing first.

JW: What do you write?

Mary: I write articles for a local women’s magazine and a few other publications. I write reviews of plays for a couple theatres in the twin cities in Minnesota, as well as entertainment reviews from the area where I live. I also write plays. I love all the writing I do because I meet fascinating people, enjoy wonderful performances, and really stretch myself in all areas of writing.

JW: Since I read your blog regularly (or peek in your windows), I happen to know you’ve had a play produced. What does it feel like to see your own play in production?

Mary: Exhilarating! It was the highlight of my life. I felt like I was the conductor of a creative train, and more and more people jumped on board at each station. It truly was a life changing experience.

JW: What is your daily writing schedule like?

Mary: Ha ha ha ha (sorry, got distracted) Now, that it’s summer, I have no schedule. During the school year, I do most of my writing in the morning, often at coffee shops.

JW: What is the wackiest way an idea (for a play) has come to you?

Mary: I was in a meeting for a group called the Lakes Area Memory Awareness Advocates (LAMAA). They were planning a Forum on Alzheimer’s and dementia that included food. For some reason, I had the idea that “Buffet Line Confessions” would be a hilarious setting. Talked to a friend later who said, “You wouldn’t believe what people will talk about while waiting at the omelet station.”

JW: What are you working on right now?

Mary: Trying to find some creative space. However, two titles that have popped up are “Choir Loft Confessions” and “Kitchen Table Confessions.”

JW: As a piano teacher, how does your profession weave into your writing? Or does it?

Mary: They go together like lyrics and a fine melody. One is the rhythm, the other the notes. My students inspire me. I find that having an understanding of music helps me write my reviews, and I do have thoughts of working with kids on a show called “Piano Bench Confessions.”

JW: Ok, now I want to talk about your childhood. Did you have a dog, a cat or an imaginary friend?

Mary: All of the above. I grew up on a farm, so I liked hanging out in the barn and looking for the newborn kitties. We always had a dog. I had a whole crew of imaginary friends. They still talk to me!

JW: Were you a.) Loner, b.) Leader, c.) Bossy d.) Follower, e.) Shy

Mary: At times a Loner which might seem strange because I’m from a big family, but I did like finding my own quiet space now and then. I have also been a Leader when it comes to performing and playing piano. The other title I claim is accompanist. And, there are times when I feel Shy, like in crowds and meeting lots of new people at one time.

JW: What did you believe, as a child, that you found out later was not correct?

Mary: I thought that just kids learned new things. That adults already knew how do stuff just because they’re older. Not at all true. You can be the kindergartner in a class or learn a new skill at any age.

JW: Because I’m known for random nonsense information, let me ask you, neat handwriting or I should have been a physician handwriting?

Mary: It’s not great, but readable. I tend to write too fast.

JW: Ok, imagine this: You are given a mission to set up housekeeping for 3 months. You may choose your location: camping on the moon, house under the sea or a space station. What will you chose and why.

Mary: Camping on the Moon. I suppose I’ll need some type of potion or device to breath up there. Since it’s made of cheese, I’ll pack plenty of crackers, and I’ll spend my days connecting the star dots. Maybe I’ll come up with new constellations.

Thanks, Mary, for coming by.

Here’s a little more about Mary:

Mary is a playwright, writer, and piano teacher in the Brainerd lakes area of Minnesota. She has four sons, one cat named Leo, and many wonderful friends. Her blog, Play off the Page, is an inspirational blog where she also writes entertainment reviews. Her publicist, Krista Rolfzen Soukup, at Blue Cottage Agency, is the driving force in her play's success and in building up in her career, not to mention, she is a dear friend. Mary’s motto is: Go. Create. Inspire!

Be sure to go pop on over to Play Off The Page to say hello.  

Do you, my friends, go to plays? Play the piano? Wish you were the star in a play?

My Life

I laugh when I shouldn’t.

I trip on air.

I’m hungry at midnight.

I eat dessert for dinner.

I eat toast every morning.

I watch scary movies.

Then I have nightmares.

I never forget yesterday.

I forget two minutes ago.

I love to clean.

Then I mess it up.

I’m a hard worker.

I love down time.

I can’t cry much anymore.

No one's fault.

My Life.

Is there something we should know about you?

Monday Ramblings

It’s Monday and I have this one and another Monday left before my summer break begins. I love working at a school, but working at one is intense and I need a break.

WARNING!! Grandkid Cuteness

My granddaughter told me the other day, as she was hugging the stuffing out of me, that I smelled like a flower. I told her she looked like a beautiful flower.

FIP

Last Friday was my first Friday’s Interesting People post and it was with Hart Johnson. Thanks to everyone for stopping by. And thanks to Hart for being the first! I learned new things about her.

Future FIPs (Tentative)

June 15- Mary Aalgaard, Piano teacher and freelance writer

June 22- Kit Grady Illustrator and author

June 29- Elizabeth Spann Craig, Author

Writing

You may remember, I’m editing my A-Z posts with the hopes I can make it into an eBook. Some of the changes I’ve made and things I've learned:

1.      Some stories are now longer.

2.      I didn’t like one of them The Good Bargain and wrote a new one. I like it much better.  

3.      The Wedding of Mrs. Fox, to be continued, now has an ending.

4.      I’ve added a bonus story called The Duration of Life. Staying true to my theme of using a Brothers Grimm title I chose this one. Then I dug out the tarantula story that I entered in some contest added a beginning and changed the ending and BAM a new story.  Sort of new.

The Ruralhood

Did you know that I have another blog? Have you ever wondered what I do over there? It’s not too sinister. I write memories from my childhood and eventually I’ll write some from adulthood, keeping my rural roots in mind.  Along the way, I’m learning from those memories about who I am and how I got here-- in this place.  It’s interesting.

The newest post, at The Ruralhood, is about a drive-in movie theater of my youth and not just any drive-in, but a unique one called the Autoscope. If you like movies, drive-ins, or people talking about the 70’s and you have a minute, go visit The Ruralhood.

Do you have more than one blog? Why? Do you have any child cuteness to report? Have you taken your vacation yet?

Grief

A long time ago, when I was grieving, my son wrote on a slip of paper this scripture: “He heals the brokenhearted and he binds up their wounds.” Psalm147:3 (NIV)

Then my son put the slip of paper where I would see it, and, at the very moment I needed it most. That gesture and verse reminded me I was not alone.  

When our hearts are broken, we often feel there is no tomorrow and {really} we don’t care if there is.

Two families in my area have lost their young-adult children this week. Help me pray for their comfort and some measure of healing?

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)

Blessings,

Teresa

Scripture source: Holy Bible, biblegateway.com

Friday's Interesting People: Hart Johnson

Today marks the debut of  Friday’s Interesting People (FIP) series on Journaling Woman. I'm so excited to have as my first guest and author Hart Johnson with her debut book, The Azalea Assault. Welcome, Hart.

JW: As a Writer, how or where did you get the idea for The Azalea Assault?

Hart: This is where I confess that I came to this Cozy Mystery thing completely sideways. Cozy mystery is such a HUGE seller, that editors come up with 'profiles' of series they think there is a definite market for and they seek writers. I found out the about the opportunity through a friend of mine and then went through an audition process. Already specified were the location (Roanoke Virginia), the theme (gardening) and about a dozen characters (with single line descriptors—usually job or relationship to the MC). There was another up for audition at the same time that involved books and chocolate, and if you can believe it, I chose THIS one to put my efforts toward.  The reason:  my first degree was journalism, so a main character who worked PR and her boyfriend the reporter really spoke to me as characters. I had a really solid feel for them right away, not to mention the FUN I've had with the friendship between Cam and Annie—her BFF.

JW: You wrote The Azalea Assault under the pen name Alyse Carlson. Why?

Hart: Cozy Mystery has a tight set of rules and a readership with very specific (very PG) expectations. They ask ANY author who doesn't have an established reputation as a Cozy author to use a pen name because they want to protect the genre from... oh, I don't know... people who might run around naked *shifty* The name I chose is the first name of one grandmother and the maiden name of the other. I feel like the two of them always made me feel invincible, and to make it in publishing, that is really how you need to feel.

JW: Plotter or pantster?

Hart: Normally I am more a TIMELINER (which is between—just major events noted but lots of wiggle room between them), but this particular book I story boarded and it was GREAT. Mysteries have more careful plotting and pacing , so on a big white board I wrote out my DAYS and the big background events, then I wrote all my clues (both real and herring) on post its and spread them so they came out nicely (and I could move them if necessary).

JW: What is your daily writing schedule like?

Hart: I work full time. (oh, for the day that isn't necessary)  So when I am writing, I write about two hours every night, and by every, I mean EVERY. I maybe have one day a month I take a break. No more.  Editing I can do a little bit more time because I can add my commute time to that so I get in almost four hours a day.

JW: Get into your MC’s mind. There is something that your MC does not want others to know about her. What is that secret?

Hart: She craves acceptance. The people she loves most don't really care what society thinks. Cam does, but she knows they wouldn't really approve of her need for approval, so she tries to keep in under wraps.

JW: Any new books in the works?

Hart: I am on the penultimate draft of the third in this gardening series (it goes to my DETAIL readers next (actually, should BE there by post time), then final polish, then to my editor June 30) And I am doing BuNoWriMo this month with my writing group and 100 of our closest friends—it is a lot like NaNoWriMo, but smaller and more intimate—this is our 3^rd year and I LOVE it. So the one I'm writing is a flu-based Armageddon conspiracy...

JW: Ok let’s talk about your childhood. A dog, a cat or an imaginary friend?

Hart: I was the rare kid with THREE imaginary friends: Day Day, Mare Mare, and Lare. They were apparently good company. (I am an only child and I hear onlies are the most likely to have imaginary friends, but I was a rare duck to have more than one)--always loved animals, but when I was really little, we couldn't have them (in rentals). 

JW: Were you (a.) Loner (b.) Leader (c.) Bossy (d.) Follower (e.) Shy

Hart:   I had moments of all, though probably follower the least.  It depended on the context and company... and a lot on my age. I was insecure until I was about 17, so though I had friends, I tended to be quiet and in GROUPS shy. But I also had really VARIED friends, which gave me a lot more resilience than much of my primary clique. In pairs I could be bossy. I have always been content to be alone some. And then I finally found my comfort zone (accepting I didn't NEED to fit the mold others were working with) and through the rest of high school and college I sort of found comfort leading (sometimes to 'the right' stuff, sometimes to trouble)

JW: What did you believe, as a child, that you found out later was incorrect?

Hart: That eventually I would know what I was doing. There is an illusion kids are under that adults know what's going on. And maybe I am a rare bird, but most of the time I feel like anyone with the answers is really a fraud. I'm not buying it anymore. Nobody knows what's going on.

JW: I’m full of randomness so answer me this, neat handwriting or “I should have been a physician” handwriting?

Hart: Oh, it's lousy! I'm the only one who can read it. (on the plus side, I can READ anything—gimme your worst—I can decipher it. (this was hard won through several bosses and a few years in a restaurant kitchen having to read the writing of 'boys').

JW: Imagine this: You’re in the witness protection program. You get to choose your new name and your imaginary past. What is it?

Hart: SPY!  Wait. No. That is probably frown on in witness protection. I would be Naomi... mmmm single syllable... Pierce maybe? Or is that a real person?  Naomi Pierce sounds good though. And I'd be … has to be plausible, I guess... probably data manager, which I've BEEN, but which I could change my domain enough that I could both pass the test but not be found. 

JW: If you could be any character in any book (for a day) who would that be and why?

Hart: Minerva McGonagall. I think that woman knew EVERYTHING that went on in that school and had an excellent sense of perspective (and humor).

JW: Do you tell people (you know) you’re a writer? Or is it a secret?

Hart: I'm out.  I guess NOW, I'm REALLY out. My husband keeps telling strangers when we meet them. But I began admitting it about the time I started blogging three years ago. I'd only completed one book at the time, but I figured that whole platform thing was something I could use the support of friends on.  I'm not really shy about asking for help. I mean I'd never beg people to go BUY (as I have often enough not had money, so don't want to put people in an awkward spot) but I DO beg for likes and follows and such. I figure it all helps to making it look like I actually know what I'm doing. I also found once I started admitting it, I started MEETING writers, and that is a GREAT support.

Teresa, thank you so much for having me! It was a really fun set of questions and I enjoyed answering them!

JW: THANK YOU, Hart!  It was fun getting to know you better.  Now, here's  information about The Azalea Assault!

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Camellia Harris has achieved a coup in the PR world. The premier national magazine for garden lovers has agreed to feature one of Roanoke’s most spectacular gardens in its pages—and world-famous photographer Jean-Jacques Georges is going to shoot the spread. But at the welcoming party, Jean-Jacques insults several guests, complains that flowers are boring, and gooses almost every woman in the room. When a body is found the next morning, sprawled across the azaleas, it’s almost no surprise that the victim is Jean-Jacques. With Cam’s brother-in-law blamed for the crime—and her reporter boyfriend, Rob, wanting the scoop—Cam decides to use her skills to solve the murder. Luckily a PR pro like Cam knows how to be nosy.

Hart Johnson writes main stream suspense for adult and YA along with cozy mysteries. Hart writes under the pen name of Alyse Carlson for her debut novel The Azalea Assault; A Garden Society Mystery series, with Berkley Prime Crime, June 5, 2012. Her new series has a gardening theme and takes place in Roanoke Virginia. The second and third installment of this series is coming!!! Hart blogs on Confessions of a Watery Tart regularly.

You can buy The Azalea Assault here.

Are you following Hart? What's your favorite genre to read? If you could choose a pen name, what would that be?