I was listening to Fitzgerald’s recording of the Gershwin Songbook (with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra), and the tune Fascinatin’ Rhythm came on as I was pouring my cheesecake batter into the pan. I danced along to the tune as I went to put the cheesecake into the oven and half the cheesecake went flying onto the floor. As I was cleaning it all up, it occurred to me that the song was about obsession – what an interesting motive for murder. From there, the characters just started coming alive and talking to me.

Anne Louise Bannon – 26 March 2015

The Back Flap

Set in December of 1924, a senior editor at Healcroft House, Frank Selby, turns up dead in his apartment. Problem is, his secretary, Kathy Briscow, never mentioned that he hadn’t been at work for the previous three days. Seems he only came in when he wanted, and since Kathy was doing his work for him, it didn’t matter. But now, Kathy is the main suspect in his murder. Author and socialite Freddie Little finds out that Kathy has been editing his novel, and not Selby. Freddie also has reason to suspect someone else. So he convinces Kathy to work with him to find the real killer. Together, the two comb the streets and speakeasies of New York City to find a killer with obsession on the brain.

About the book

What is the book about?

It’s mostly about Kathy Briscow and Freddie Little trying to find out who killed Kathy’s boss, Frank Selby, before Kathy gets arrested for the deed. But it’s also about the two of them learning about each other and finding that they really like each other, and even a little bit about writing.

When did you start writing the book?

Oh, years ago. I forget exactly when. It was one of those things that I started, then dropped, then picked up again. And in this case, went to town and finished it very quickly.

How long did it take you to write it?

The first draft was written in two weeks. I was recuperating from a broken elbow and didn’t have anything else to do, so I wrote. It’s taken me a good 10 to 15 years to re-write it and edit it, but much of what I originally wrote is still there.

Where did you get the idea from?

Ella Fitzgerald and a spilled cheesecake. I was listening to Fitzgerald’s recording of the Gershwin Songbook (with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra), and the tune Fascinatin’ Rhythm came on as I was pouring my cheesecake batter into the pan. I danced along to the tune as I went to put the cheesecake into the oven and half the cheesecake went flying onto the floor. As I was cleaning it all up, it occurred to me that the song was about obsession – what an interesting motive for murder. From there, the characters just started coming alive and talking to me.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Learning how to do historical research was probably the toughest part for me. I’m not a historian, although one of my minors was theatre history. I’ve always been good at research, but I was rather unsure where to start with this one, mostly because I didn’t know what questions I’d need to answer. Also, this was in the days before Google and the Internet, so if I needed a detail to fill in – such as what kinds of pens were they using in the 1920s? – I was stuck until I could find an answer the next day, even if I could.

What came easily?

The writing of it. Once the story fell into place, it just poured out of me, along with a sequel, Bring Into Bondage.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

My characters are completely fictitious. I suspect there may be some influences from people I have known, and of course, since this is a historical novel, real people occasionally get mentioned, as one might mention famous folks during normal conversation. One of the characters, Lowell Winters, might physically look like someone I knew at the time. Funny thing is, I noticed that one of the characters in the sequel might seem an awful lot like one of my sisters-in-law. But I wrote that character years before I met my husband, let alone said sister-in-law.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Are you kidding? Freddie is a total Lord Peter Whimsy clone. He’s got certain attitudes that come from being an American and all, but the ghost of Ms. Sayers was definitely whispering in my ear when Freddie “spoke” to me. In another novel I’m still working on, I noticed that I was describing things in lists – kind of how E.B. White did in Charlotte’s Web – only one of my favorite novels ever.

Do you have a target reader?

People like me, who enjoy a nice relaxing cozy mystery, who enjoy history and appreciate a touch of romance along with some mayhem. People like that tend to come in all ages, but it is a predominantly older, female audience.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

That’s a tough one, I’ve never really thought of what I do as a process. I usually get an idea, write a few grafs, then the story either comes or it doesn’t. It was a lot easier to crank stuff out during my first marriage because I was trying to escape. That made it a lot easier to spend countless hours at the computer or with my notebooks. Nowadays, I’m in a fairly good marriage and I really need to chase the dollars, so time to write is at a bit of a premium. Plus it’s been really hard to stay up all night like I used to. For a lot of reasons, I get tired a lot earlier than I used to, and late night was always my prime writing time. But I still get ideas. I still write out a few grafs and then the story either comes or it doesn’t. It just seems to be coming in dribs and drabs these days is all.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I do outline – I don’t know how extensive you’d call it. I just put plot events on a calendar so that I can keep everything straight. Chapters happen on their own. I do need to know where my story is going to end before I can get any real work done on it. That’s the nice thing about writing mysteries – you have to make sure everything leads up to the final uncovering and make sure that everything is set up at the right point in the story.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

A little of each. I usually read whatever I wrote during my last writing session and fix things – usually words I left out, and then continue writing from there. Then I re-read and make notes multiple times after that.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I hired a copy-editor and have had several editor friends work over the manuscript.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I have had music inspire my writing, but I absolutely need silence when I write. In fact, the older I get, the more noise sensitive I am.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes. Tons of them.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Most of it was watching a friend of mine, who had decided to self-publish, and realizing that given the current environment, nothing was going to happen via traditional publishing. And even if it did, I’d still be doing most of the work selling the darned thing.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I hired an art student to do it. He did some things very well and others, he seriously messed up. Like two typos in the title. Admittedly, not easily spotted ones, but still….

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Yes. I’m working on getting reviews right now, then working on a combination of blog tours and personal appearances at libraries and senior centers. Fortunately, I read aloud very well (a theatre background), so that should help generate interest.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Professional copy-editing – no one can find all their own errors. Work hard, don’t expect a lot, and don’t try to do everything. It will only make you crazy. And don’t forget that face-to-face marketing is slow, but it is the gold standard. You’re going to sell more books that way than anything else.

About You

Where did you grow up?

Mostly Southern California. I did live in Belgium for a year and a half when I was 9, but the rest of the time has been spent here.

Where do you live now?

In the Rose Bowl Impact Zone, near Pasadena.

What would you like readers to know about you?

That I may be scattered in my life and in my storytelling, but it does come together by the end.

What are you working on now?

Prepping Bring Into Bondage for publication and getting Fascinating Rhythm recorded as an audio book. The third Freddie and Kathy has been started, but I need to work on a better outline and plot. I also have a couple other novels bothering me that need finishing, both contemporary.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Fascinating Rhythm from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).

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