Guest Jacqueline Vick: Lyricist, scriptwriter, mystery writer

cj Sez: Today’s wonderful guest post is by author Jacqueline Vick. Jacqueline graciously agreed to answer some nosy questions about her path from childhood lyricist to published author . . .

and  . . . and  . . . and for Lyrical Pens visitors who leave her a comment, she’ll draw a name out of the computer hat for someone to win a book.  Read on!

cj: When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

   The first thing I ever wrote was a short song about a pony. I don't remember it, but I'm sure it was brilliant. (I was five at the time.) When I moved to Los Angeles in my twenties, I naturally got into scriptwriting. I joined a few professional associations and went to meetings. I really can't remember when I started writing mysteries. However, I went to the "Love is Murder" convention in Chicago and fell in love with mystery writers. In my experience, they are the most generous people on earth. When you write, community is so important. It's great to find people you like. I gave up scriptwriting and moved to mysteries.  

cj: Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

   I had a few agents request my first novel, but no takers. As I grew in my writing, I went back to that novel and realized that it hadn't been ready to send out to agents. (We're so enthusiastic when we finish that first novel!)  I entered the rewritten version in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest and was a quarter finalist. Around the same time, a traditionally published author decided to switch to self-publishing because she wanted her books to come out more often. Traditional publishing can take up to two years. I thought this was fantastic advice, and with the advent of Create Space, I chose the indie route. With cutbacks at the major publishing houses, most authors have to do their own marketing anyway, so I didn't see the benefits of being traditionally published. I hire an editor and a cover artist for each book. I've picked up the rest through classes, the many resources available on the internet, and old-fashioned trial-and error.

cj: Plotter, pantser, or pathfinder?

   Since I write mysteries, I plot. I need to know what my suspects are doing at the time of the murder. It's like putting a puzzle together. 

cj: How do you decide on character names?

   I often go back to my grade school classmates for last names.  My poor, unaware, grade school classmates.  (cj Sez: That’s a neat idea I’m going to confiscate.)

cj: Who are your top three favorite authors?

   Rex Stout, Agatha Christie, and Robert Barnard.

cj: If you could have written any book (one that somebody else has already wirtten), what would it be? Why?

   Death by Sheer Torture by Robert Barnard. It's hysterical and clever. I wish I was that clever.

cj: What’s on the horizon for you?

   I'm finishing up the third Pet Psychic mystery, and the second Harlow Brothers mystery is in the works.

   I'd love to offer a free book to your readers. I'll draw a name from those people who leave a comment and they can choose either an ebook or paperback version of A Bird's Eye View of Murder, which is the latest Frankie Chandler, Pet Psychic, mystery. (cj Sez: How generous!)

   Jacqueline Vick is the author of over twenty short stories, novelettes and mystery novels. Her April 2010 article for Fido Friendly Magazine, “Calling Canine Clairvoyants,” led to the first Frankie Chandler Pet Psychic mystery, Barking Mad at Murder, followed by A Bird's Eye View of Murder. Her first Harlow Brothers' mystery, Civility Rules, is out in ebook format and paperback. To find out more, visit her website at www.jacquelinevick.com

 Everybody loves Aunt Civility's etiquette books, though the reclusive author doesn't exist. Short-tempered Edward Harlow, the man who makes appearances as her official representative, writes the books, with his brother, Nicholas, acting as his secretary. The duo arrive at the isolated Inglenook Resort for Edward's latest appearance, and when a dead body turns up in the room next door, Aunt Civility's official representative is in danger of losing his manners. Will an association with murder—the ultimate unpleasantness—sully Auntie's reputation and endanger Edward's livelihood? Nicholas will do whatever it takes to keep the boss happy, but as the body count rises, so does the secretary's chances of becoming the next victim. (Buy at  http://amzn.to/2c0xbiy

cj Sez: Thanks so much for stopping by, Jacqueline. Civility Rules has an intriguing premise and is definitely on my ToBeRead list. I’m a pathfinder suspense writer, so reading and analyzing your book is sure to help with the plotting I need for the mystery I want to write . . . it sounds exciting.

Readers, be sure to drop Jacqueline a comment and get on the list for a chance to win one of her books.

That’s all for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. (I can hardly wait to see who wins that book.)

cj

cjpetterson@gmail.com

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Choosing Carter  -- Kindle  /  Nook  /  Kobo   /  iTunes/iBook

Deadly Star --  Kindle  / Nook  / Kobo

Amazon Central Author Page:  http://amzn.to/1NIDKC0