Happy New Year with L J Ross

 A very happy 2020 to you all. January 1st is always a good day for taking stock. Looking back over some of the past posts here on my blog, I've picked out a favourite one where I interviewed best-selling author, LJ Ross. Since then, she had added more books to her DCI Ryan series and also written several in an exciting new series featuring forensic psychologist, Dr Alexander Gregory. Do join us. 

Louise, welcome. I know that you were born and bred in Northumberland and of course that’s where your spectacularly successful DCI Ryan series is set. Do you have any childhood memories you’re prepared to share with readers?

- I have so many happy memories of my childhood in Northumberland. I remember spending weekends exploring Bamburgh Castle and its enormous beach where I used to play ‘hide and seek’ amongst the sand dunes and look across the sea to Holy Island, which lies thirteen miles or so further north along the coastline. Those early memories of the sand, water and the towering castle on its craggy rock laid the groundwork for the stories I now write. 

Since January 2015, you’ve published six books in the DCI Ryan series to great acclaim. That’s a remarkable 
work rate. How do you manage it?

- I’ve always had a very strong work ethic and I can be very disciplined, when I want to be! However, I never like to sacrifice quality, so each book goes through rigorous editorial processes before release. The beauty of choosing to publish independently is that I don’t have to wait for traditional publishing schedules before releasing a book – I can decide when to release, which is great for readers because it means they don’t have to wait quite so long for the next instalment of DCI Ryan!

As any author knows, being a writer can be challenging and particularly so if you self-publish. To what do you attribute your success in a very competitive market?

- I’m often asked this question and it’s a difficult one to answer because there are so many brilliant writers out there who have yet to be ‘discovered’. I was very fortunate that my first novel went on to become a UK #1 bestseller and I think it comes down to a number of factors aligning at the same time: a storyline that captures the reader’s imagination, editorial quality, cover, sales copy and a little bit of good old-fashioned luck. It’s as simple (and frustrating) as that.

You worked as a regulatory lawyer for many years, do you think the experience you gained contributed to your skill in plotting and attention to detail?

- I was experienced in drafting techniques and had an eye for detail after working as a lawyer. More importantly, I think the broad spectrum of people I met during that time has provided a wealth of inspiration for the characters I write!

Do you have a special place where you like to write and/or a particular routine?

- Often, I’ll take a laptop to a local coffee shop and write a little bit in the morning after I’ve dropped my son off at school. I like to try to do some walking during the day, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to enjoy cake as much as I do! I also have an office at home where I work if I’m on a tight deadline and need to shut myself away.

 

Where does your inspiration come from?

- My inspiration comes from the world around me and the people I meet, particularly the landscape of Northumberland which I find endlessly inspiring.

Are you a planner or do you prefer to let your plots evolve as you go along?

- A little of both! Some books have a more intricate plotline and therefore it’s important not to go off on a tangent, whereas others allow for more of an organic process.

When you aren’t writing, how would you describe your perfect day?

- Taking a long walk with my family, or spending time hanging out with friends. Simple pleasures!

Which parts of the writing process do you enjoy the least and the most?

-I enjoy writing the first and last few pages of a book. There’s a special feeling when you create something entirely new and an equally special feeling of accomplishment once it’s complete. I don’t enjoy writing the middle of the book, which is usually around the time my confidence and energy starts to wane!

If you had to choose only one, who is your favourite character in your books? Why is that?

- Whilst DCI Ryan is the lynchpin of my stories, I have to confess to holding a candle for DS Phillips. His character is loosely based on my late grandfather, who was witty, intelligent and loyal in much the same way as his fictional counterpart.

Who would you cast to play them if your books were to be made into films?

- I’ll cross that bridge when it comes to it!

Have any particular writers influenced your work? 

- I have always been a voracious reader and so you might say all the writers I’ve enjoyed since childhood have influenced me in some way or another, for different reasons. However, as a crime writer, I don’t think you can beat Arthur Conan-Doyle for sheer longevity, clarity of writing and thought. 

Do you have an all-time favourite book? 

No, I can’t choose a favourite, but the books I have read more than once include M. M. Kaye’s ‘The Far Pavilions’, Daphne du Maurier’s ‘Rebecca’ and anything by Jim Thompson.

You say in your biography that you’re a keen traveller. Do you think any of your destinations will inspire a new series, and if so, which ones? 

- I think there’s a grain of truth to the old saying that you should ‘write what you know’. In my case, I’ve spent time living in London, Paris and Florence (amongst other places) and would like to write a new series which has a more European flavour to reflect that experience.

Can you tell us what you’re working on now? 

- With ‘Dark Skies’ coming out in time for Christmas, I’m polishing off some final bits and pieces on that, as well as plotting the next DCI Ryan and tinkering with an entirely separate psychological thriller.

 I’d like to end by asking you for your responses to a few observations made by other writers over the years. 

Fire away! 

‘If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.’ Stephen King 

- I think this is very true. The act of reading over the course of a lifetime prepares you as a writer, in particular, to recognise the styles and genres you prefer to read and might then be well-placed to write. Of course, that will differ for each individual.  

‘One day I will find the right words and they will be simple.’ Jack Kerouac 

- I think it’s true that, as a new writer, there’s a tendency to ‘over write’ and use ten words to describe what could have been conveyed with one or two. As a reader myself, I prefer the clarity of writers like Conan-Doyle and Jim Thompson, whose longevity is probably thanks to their ability to write in an accessible way.  

‘You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.’ – C S Lewis. Would you agree? 

- In my case, it would be coffee, but let’s not quibble! As for a book long enough…I’d say, that rather depends on the book.  

‘You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.’ Saul Bellow 

- I think the content can be inspired, but the technical specification suffers thanks to over-tiredness! 

‘The road to Hell is paved with adverbs.’ Stephen King 

- I think we’re all guilty of the odd cheeky adverb (even Stephen King!) 

‘After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we most need.’ Phillip Pullman  

- I think it’s at least true to say that we all need escapism from time-to-time. Stories are by the far the healthiest outlet!

Meet Sara Rosett, a Queen of Cozy Crime

I'm delighted to welcome USA Today and Audible bestselling author, Sara Rosett, to my blog. Sara writes light-hearted mysteries for readers who enjoy puzzling whodunits, atmospheric settings, and quirky characters. She is the author of the Ellie Avery series, the On the Run series, the Murder on Location series, and the High Society Lady Detective series. Sara also teaches an online course, How to Outline a Cozy Mystery. Publishers Weekly called her books "satisfying," "well-executed," and "sparkling." She loves to get new stamps in her passport and considers dark chocolate a daily requirement.

Sarah, welcome, would you like to tell us a bit more about your career?

Sure! I started out with a traditional publisher for my first series, the Ellie Avery series. Those books are about a mom who is a military spouse. She finds murder and mayhem wherever she goes! I branched out into indie publishing for my next two series—the On the Run series (travel, intrigue, and a dash of romance) and the Murder on Location series (cozies about a location scout who travels around the English countryside looking for filming locations for Jane Austen adaptations.) Recently I moved to historical mysteries with the High Society Lady Detective series. It’s set in 1920s England.

Olive Belgrave and Kate Sharp, your detectives, are both feisty, independent ladies. How did you go about creating their characters? Is there anything of yourself in them?

I think there’s always a little of myself in the characters I write about. Kate is much more “take-charge” than I am. She sees a problem and wants to solve it, which is a good characteristic for an amateur sleuth! I’d read an interview with a location scout and thought it sounded like a fascinating profession, so I dug in and researched it. Kate grew out of what I learned about location scouting and the type of personality it takes to succeed in the profession. For Olive, I knew I wanted to write about a young woman who was brought up as a lady, but who wanted to make her own way in the world. I wanted her to be smart and plucky and have a sense of humor. Her background with the growing up connected to high society is both a help and and a hindrance for Olive.

Olive is a name one doesn’t hear very often nowadays, and it has a great period ring to it. I imagine it’s no accident that her surname isn’t a million miles from the swanky London district of Belgravia! How do you choose names for your characters and how highly do you rate the importance of names in fiction?

Names are so important in fiction! I love deciding on character names. For the High Society Lady Detective series I searched historical name lists to find period names. But sometimes it takes a while to work out the right name for a character. When I began writing Murder at Archly Manor, I named the main character Violet, but the name wasn’t a perfect fit. Then I realized that Olive, the name I’d given to a cousin was a better choice. It was a classic name, but had a little extra zing to it that I wanted. I swapped the names and it felt right.

Why do you write mysteries?

I’ve always loved reading mysteries. I enjoy the puzzle aspect of the plot. I grew up on Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. I moved on to Mary Stewart and Elizabeth Peters. When I sat down to attempt to write a novel, I knew it would be a mystery.

What’s the most difficult part about writing for you? What do you enjoy the most?

Getting the first draft down is the most difficult part for me. Once I have “the bones” done I go back and revise. I like the revision stage much more. Research is my absolute favorite part. If I’m not careful, I can lose hours reading about train schedules in 1923 or what type of food was served at The Savoy. Fun stuff!

How do you go about the historical research for your novels? What drew you to the times you’ve chosen?

I enjoy Golden Age mysteries. Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Patricia Wentworth are some of my favorite authors. I find interesting tidbits about everyday life in fiction from the 1920s and 1930s. I also read quite a bit of nonfiction about that time period, and little details from those books have become important clues and red herrings. Browsing vintage images on Pinterest and watching Downton Abbey are all “research” in my book.

Do you have a special place where you like to write?

I write in my office, which has a window at one side of my desk. I need that window! For some reason I find it easier to write near a window. I suppose it’s the fact that I can gaze outside when I get stuck!

Have any other writers influenced your work?

Mary Stewart’s classic romantic suspense books were some of the first “grown-up” books I read. I loved that the women were always clever and resourceful. The exotic locations were great, too! Stewart had a wonderful way of capturing settings. Reading her books inspired me to find the tiny details that make a reader feel like they’re right there with the protagonist, experiencing the story along with her.

What are you working on now?

I’m finishing a book for my travel mystery series, the On the Run series, and then I’ll focus on promotion for the release of the fourth book in the High Society Lady Detective series, Murder in Black Tie. I have more books planned in that series and will be working on those. I’m having so much fun in the nineteen twenties and readers are enjoying them, so I have to write more!

Steven King once said 'If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write.' Do you agree?

Absolutely! Reading is what I do in my down time. If I don’t have a book to read, I get antsy! I learn so much from the reading I do for pleasure. As a writer, it’s hard to turn my “author brain” off and just enjoy the story, but I do try to do that. However, I’ll often be reading along and I’ll notice things that I like—or things that bother me—about a story. I mull over them and then I can either incorporate those techniques—or avoid them!—in my own writing.

You can find out more about Sara  on social media.

▪      Website: http://www.SaraRosett.com

▪      Instagram: https//www.instagram.com/sararosett/

▪      Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sara-rosett

▪      Twitter: @SaraRosett http://twitter.com/sararosett

▪      Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/srosett/

▪      Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSaraRosett

▪      GoodReads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/256977.Sara_Rosett

▪      LibraryThing: http://www.librarything.com/profile/SaraRosett

A Moving Tribute

Runnymede in Berkshire is famous as the place where in 1215, the Magna Carta was sealed by King John at the instigation of his barons. It’s a fascinating place to visit. The American Memorial and the memorial to JFK have been there for many years, but the 800th anniversary added new features.

 One of these is The Jurors, twelve bronze chairs that incorporate images and symbols of humanity’s struggle for freedom, the rule of law and equal rights.

 Themes range from a tribute to Phillis Wheatley, the first African American woman to be published (1773) and Mary Prince, the first woman to present an anti-slavery petition to the British parliament (1828), to the oil tanker Exxon Valdez. It was the huge spillage from this tanker that led to the establishment of many of today’s principles of environmental conduct. There is also a model of the key to Nelson Mandela’s prison cell and of one of the keys to the notorious Bastille prison that was presented to George Washington after the French Revolution.

Other symbols are more abstract, including a representation of the  ancient Egyptian god, Ma’at. The god is shown weighing a human heart against a feather to decide whether the owner is fit to enter paradise. This symbol is remembered in the modern scales of justice.

With so much to look at and reflect on, it’s a place to linger. The National Trust, who care for Runnymede, have a great deal of interesting information on their website  if you'd like to find out more.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/runnymede/features/what-does-the-jurors-represent

I finished my day with a visit to the Air Force Memorial - a humbling reminder of those who gave their lives for freedom.

Bestselling mystery author, Faith Martin, talks about astrophysics, Hereward the Wake, and writing success.

Faith, welcome and many thanks for joining me. Your books are enjoyed by legions of murder mystery fans, would you like to tell readers how you became a writer?

Thank you for inviting me, Harriet. I started writing when I became a carer for my parents and needed something to do to tax my mind/creativity.

Hillary Greene and Jenny Starling are both strong women but still sympathetic and engaging. How did you go about creating their characters? Is there anything of yourself in them?

I created Hillary Greene when Morse was dominating Oxford, so I wanted a strong female character who might try to compete! I've lived near the Oxford Canal all my life, so having her live on a narrow boat seemed ideal - and could give my readers a glimpse into a different kind of lifestyle. Jenny Starling is also strong, but much funnier, and she is the 'voice' for my more plot-driven whodunits. Her job is to navigate my readers around the clues and red herrings, interview the suspects and lead them to their own conclusions as to who the killer is, before the big reveal. So, the reader learns less about her private life than about Hillary's, as the police procedurals are more character-driven, whereas the murder mysteries are more about solving the puzzle. But I wanted both women to be strong, independent and a 'character' in their own - very different - right.

I wish there was something of myself in both of them. Alas, I can't cook (unless you count warming up shop-bought chicken Kiev in the oven) so Jenny Starling would be disgusted with me. And I am nowhere near as competent or brave as Hillary! If I was confronted by an armed robber I'd probably just squeak and fall over! So, ditto for Hillary. I think though that both these characters have traits which I'd like to have, and if I live vicariously through them - well, so do my readers, so I'm in good company!

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I like to write the kind of books I like to read. Don't forget, I was a reader long before I began writing. I loved the Agatha Christie books when I was in my teens, hence I've always wanted to write those kinds of books. And later, when great characters/police procedurals like Rebus and DI Banks came out, I loved those too - hence DI Hillary Greene.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

I'm a full-time writer, so I don't have much time - but I have a dog, and like walking him in the countryside. I love wildlife, nature, flora etc, and as you've probably noticed, a lot of that seeps into my novels. 

With dozens of published books to your credit and approaching a million sales for the D I Hillary Greene series alone, you must have a very strong work ethic. How do you keep going?

Yes, the D I Hillary Greene series sold over a million copies worldwide in almost 1 year exactly, and I was absolutely stunned. Never thought or imagined that could happen, and a lot of it is due to Joffe Books and their great promotions. At one point I think she was No 1 in the UK and Australia and also in the USA and Canada top 50 too! I write every day (or in between books, researching and plotting the next one.) I've always loved writing, and I suppose I would feel guilty if I wasn't working. I grew up in a working-class family and I would probably get bored if I was idle! Right now, I have deadlines to meet for Harper Collins HQ's Ryder and Loveday series. The next book is due in October - so I'm not allowed to slack! But creating so many different characters, in so many genres, and set in different times (Ryder and Loveday are set in the 1960s) is always pushing me to come up with something different. I think this helps me stay 'fresh' and so provides my readers with 'fresh' things too. (At least that's what I hope it does!) 

 What’s the most difficult part about writing to you? What do you enjoy the most?

The only difficult thing I find about writing is sometimes getting motivated - I've been writing for 30 years now and have had more than 50 books published. But once I put the computer on and look at a blank page, I can feel my characters clamouring to get out and onto the screen - so away I go. And it is very satisfying writing a funny scene for Jenny (usually with an animal antagonist) or giving Trudy Loveday an emotional moment, or a hard lesson to learn about women's roles back before the 'swinging sixties' really got going. But I think most writers will tell you how hard but also satisfying writing a book can be.

      

How important is setting in your novels?

I set my novels in the area I've always lived in - and describing the countryside as it is now is very important - because I have an awful feeling that for generations to come, they might only know about it from literature from the past.

Who would you like to sit next to on a long flight? (Up to two people, living or dead.)

I don't fly - so I wouldn't ever find myself sitting next to someone! But on a train - hmmmmm. As for my 'dead' companion, I think I would quite like to see what Hereward the Wake would have to say. He must have been a real character - and lived during a fascinating time in history. As for my live candidate - probably the astrophysicist, Dr Cox. It must be really something to know so much about the universe and how it works - and I could listen to that sort of stuff all day long! (Not necessarily understand it mind!)

What are you most proud of, specifically in relation to your writing – an award, story or plot twist?

The only award I've ever won was when I first began writing as Maxine Barry. These were modern romances, and I won the Scarlet Award. I still have the silver platter on my bookcase. Mind you, I was the ONLY one to win it, since soon after, my publisher at the time joined forces with Constable, and they stopped producing romances and concentrated on crime instead. (You have to laugh at the irony!)

I suppose the only thing you might say I had any right to be proud of (more like surprised really) was to have got published at all. At the time I started writing, there was no self-publishing industry and it took me 5 years to get my first novel published (by Orion). I was beginning to think it wouldn't happen - but I stubbornly never gave up. So my advice to anyone struggling to find writing success is always the same - don't give up!

Faith, many, many thanks for coming. It’s been such a pleasure talking with you. With all your achievements, you remain so modest and funny - a shining example to us all. 

The most delightful building in London.

Most people who take an interest in history know that King George III was afflicted by a long period of madness that we now understand to have been caused by the disease, porphyria. It's perhaps less well known that he was the first British king to take an interest in science, amassing over his lifetime a very fine collection of scientific instruments and clocks.

In the 1760s, he commissioned the most popular architect of the day, William Chambers, to build him an observatory at Richmond upon Thames, now part of London but at that time, out in the country. Landscaping was provided by Capability Brown.

The building was completed in 1769, in time for the King, the Queen, and two astronomers to observe the Transit of Venus, the passage of Venus across the sun. Occurring only rarely, the transit was thought to provide a method of measuring the distance from the earth to the sun, as well as of determining the size of the universe. Two obelisks were also set up in the park to create a meridian line, and before the Royal Observatory moved to Greenwich in the 19th century, Mean Time was calculated from Richmond.

In the twentieth century, the King's Observatory became the headquarters of the Meteorological Office. It was from there that the weather forecast was taken to decide when to launch the troops into France on D-Day. The two sheds used in forecasting, the only Grade I listed sheds I've ever come across, still stand in the grounds. They were built without nails so that they would be non-magnetic.

A detail from the Chinese wallpaper in the dining room. William Chambers had visited Canton on two occasions, and a lot of the interior decoration reflects his interest in Chinese art.

Parts of the stunning collections of Chinese and Georgian porcelain on show

The building's fortunes declined after the Met Office's departure, but it has now been restored to its former glory by the current leaseholder, a wealthy and philanthropic businessman, who, like Chambers, has a great interest in Chinese art. The freehold remains the property of the Crown.