Mystery writer Sandra Carey Cody is the author of the Jennie Connor mystery series from Avalon books. Thanks to Sandra for taking time out of her writing schedule to visit with Author Insight.
What prompted you to become a writer?
A lifetime of reading. I’ve always loved stories. When I was a kid, my favorite fantasy was that when the library closed at night, the characters slipped out between the pages and talked to each other–and to me. Imagine a conversation between Jo March and Nancy Drew. What would Tom Sawyer say to Heidi? I talked over my problems with the people of whatever story I was reading. They were my friends. With them, I was never shy or at a loss for something to say. I think, if you read enough, the natural next step is writing.
How long have you been writing and in what genres do you write?
When it came to actually writing down my fantasies, I was a late bloomer. I started about fifteen years ago with short stories. I liked the characters I created, but realized the plots were a little thin. One of John Gardner’s writing books said the best way to learn plotting is to write a genre novel because they rely so heavily on plot. I decided to try a mystery; I guess it was all those Nancy Drew books. It was like coming home. I’ve never looked back. For me, a mystery provides the perfect format to present a variety of characters and see how they react under stress. You have the elements of any good book: suspense and the classic struggle between good and evil.
When did you have your first sale?
My first sale came in 2004. On September 23 (my birthday!) I got “the call” from Avalon, saying they wanted to publish my book. I was thrilled and started babbling unintelligible things into the phone. They very kindly didn’t retract their offer and Put Out the Light came out in June of 2005. Before that, I had some short stories published in a small literary magazine, but no money changed hands so I don’t count them as sales, though I was proud.
What is the most challenging aspect of being a writer?
I would have to say beginnings. Sitting down at the computer for the first time each day, facing a blank screen, is a real challenge. You struggle to find the first few words. They become a sentence, then a paragraph. Gradually the story takes over, but beginning is intimidating. Each new chapter is a fresh challenge. How do you guide the reader on the journey that you’re sharing, provide surprises and, at the same time, remain true to the story? Beginning a new book, starting from scratch with a new idea after months of intense concentration on the previous idea, is the ultimate challenge, but like most challenges, is incredibly exciting.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a writer?
Spending time with my characters. I love the people I create, even the bad guys. Once I get past that initial challenge, and into the story, I love the process of writing. And holding the finished product in my hand, thinking back over its genesis from vague idea to a book. A real book! It doesn’t have fingers and toes to count but, for me, it’s the next best thing.
Tell us about your latest project.
My latest project is a departure from Jennie Connors. That series is set in Memphis and has a single mother as a protagonist. The new protagonist is Peace Morrow, a young woman who was found in a basket as an infant. Twenty-two years later, a homeless man is murdered in exactly the same spot. Peace can’t believe it’s a coincidence and thus begins a search for identity that explores the nature of family, of loyalty and responsibility. And, of course, there’s the murder to be solved. It’s set in a museum of antique tools and folk art in a small town near Philadelphia. Finding Peace was originally conceived as a standalone, but it’s grown to a planned trilogy, maybe even a longer series, mainly because I’ve fallen in love with the characters: Peace, the foundling searching for roots; Caroline, the spirited Quaker lady who adopted her; Daniel, a wayward fifteen-year-old. I’ll spare you the complete list, but I have to mention Henry, the world trustiest Labrador Retriever.
What projects do you have coming out in the future?
Consider the Lilly, an Avalon mystery, was released in February of this year. In addition to Jennie and her sons, it includes the “tea ladies”, six feisty residents of the retirement community where Jennie works as Activities Director. Two patrons are poisoned while dining at Jennie’s best friend’s restaurant. Inevitably, Jennie, aided and abetted by her tea ladies, has to sort it out. In this series, one of my goals has been to go against stereotypes. Jennie’s a single mother who doesn’t hate her ex. They’re both good people who just couldn’t make the marriage work. (This doesn’t mean sparks never fly.) As for the residents of Riverview Manor, they may be old, but they’re lively. They pursue adventure with the of gusto ten-year-olds. The tea ladies were a hoot to write. I can’t honestly say I created them. They pretty much stood on my shoulder and told me who they were.
What refreshes you creatively?
I love talking about writing, especially with other writers. Shortly after I started my scribbles, I was fortunate to find a really supportive critique group. When I get stuck or start asking myself, “What makes you think you can write a book?” if I get together with a fellow writer and start bouncing ideas around, I find I can’t wait to get back to my story. I can’t recommend highly enough the value of this kind of support. Writing can be a lonely process and fellowship with kindred spirits is like a decadent desert after a healthy meal. And reading. As I said earlier, I think writing just flows naturally from reading.
What do you wish you knew then that you know now?
The value of planning. When I started out, I was a very “seat of the pants” writer. I’ve since discovered the value of an outline. I don’t need to know exactly what happens; surprises are part of the fun of writing. But I’ve learned that if I know ahead of time where I’m going, I get there with fewer detours. It helps to know what a scene needs to accomplish before I start writing it.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Be persistent. Write every day, no excuses, and don’t give up when it gets hard or when you receive the inevitable rejection. The next editor or agent may love what the last one hated. Perhaps even more important, enjoy yourself. That’s really what it’s all about. Reading is one of life’s great pleasures and writing should be too.
Posted by storyteller2000 
Posted by storyteller2000 
Posted by storyteller2000 
www.freerice.com