This week I’m participating in the #mywritingprocess blog tour. 

I’d like to thank my guest author, Anna Celeste Burke, for inviting me on this blog hop. http://www.desertcitiesmystery.com 

Here are the 4 questions every author must answer on this blog tour, I hope you enjoy reading mine: 

1.) What am I working on? 

I’m working on my next novel, Once Upon a Crime, the sequel to, Masterpiece of Murder. It should be released this summer. I’m always working on my next novel while I’m promoting my current one. Right now, I’m in the editing process, which in my opinion is the most difficult thing an author has to go through. But it must be done to make the story the best it can be. And I’m sure I can add all those deleted scenes into some future novel. 

2) How does my work differ from others in its genre?  

I write mysteries on the lighter side, and I like to add a romantic element to my stories. I think a bit of romance gives the story heart, and endears the reader to the characters, hopefully keeping them interested enough to find out if my star-crossed lovers will end up in each other’s arms at the end–after they’ve had to overcome numerous obstacles, first. The course of true love never runs smooth in my stories.  

3) Why do I write what I do? 

I’ve been a mystery buff my entire life. When I’m not writing mysteries, I’m reading them or watching mystery programs on television, or old mystery movies. I tried writing cozy mysteries, but as a hopeless romantic, I can’t seem to keep romance out.  

4) How does my writing process work? 

First, I stumble upon an idea….ideally for a mystery. This could take years. Then I do whatever research on the subject matter I need to make it as authentic as possible. After that, I find the perfect setting, do a quick study of the characters, and come up with the subplot. After which, I begin writing the story. When the first two chapters are written, I do a quick outline of the rest so I know where the story is going. And from there, I fill in each chapter until I get to the end of the first draft. Then I go back and edit, edit, edit. When the final draft is completed, I thank my lucky stars that it doesn’t even come close to the first one, and then I send it off to a professional editor, who makes changes again. (Sigh! More editing.) Well, you get the idea, until I feel the manuscript is ready to submit to my publisher. This could also take years. 

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

Up next week, May 26th, are three wonderfully talented authors who have previously been guests on my blog. I’m looking forward to reading their answers.

First is the multi-published, two series, mystery author, Marja McGraw.

Marja McGraw has past experience in both criminal and civil law enforcement, and she occasionally calls on this experience when writing her mysteries. She’s lived in California, Nevada, Oregon, Alaska and Arizona. She writes two series: the Sandi Webster Mysteries (female P.I.), and the Bogey Man Mysteries (amateur P.I. husband and wife team), both of which take place in Los Angeles. With her love of dogs, she’s included two yellow Labrador retrievers and a half Golden retriever/half wolf in her stories.

Her hobby is photography, and she says that writing as a job is the most fun she’s ever had. She and her husband now live in Arizona, where life is good.

The Sandi Webster series began with A Well-Kept Family Secret – A Sandi Webster Mystery. Bubba’s Ghost  and Prudy’s Back!followed shortly. These Sandi Webster mysteries were followed by The Bogey Man, Old Murders Never Die and Death Comes in Threes.

Bogey Nights is the first in the Bogey Man series, and  Bogey’s Ace in the Hole followed in 2012. They Call Me Ace and Awkward Moments weren’t far behind.

Be sure to visit Marja’s Mystery Blog next week: http://www.blog.marjamcgraw.com/

 …•*¨`*•. .•*¨`*•. .•*¨`*•…

 Second is award-winning author, Phillip Tomasso.

I am the author of numerous novels, and over 100 published short stories and articles, but I’ll never forget selling my first short story in 1995. I was paid a penny a word. It was an 8,000 word western.

However, it being a Canadian publication—and at the time, when the U.S. dollar was worth more—my check was for just under $40.00. It was a great starting point, and I have been selling regularly since then.

I am not a full-time writer. I work a full-time job as well. After 19 years at Kodak as an employment law paralegal, I’ve spent the last three and a half as a Fire / EMS Dispatcher for 9-1-1. I work the midnight shift. I have found these hours to be creatively murder-some.

I prefer to both read and write in suspense/thriller and horror. I have been inspired by the likes of Walter Mosley, the entire Easy Rawlins series. Anything by Stephen King, and Dean Koontz. I used to enjoy James Patterson, until he stopped writing his own books—more of a spite thing there. Robin Cook, John Saul, Warren Hammond. Charlie Huston’s Joe Pitt novels, and Jim Butcher’s Dresden series. Just to name a few!

I live in Rochester, NY with my 3 amazing kids. I prefer to spend all my time with them. Being divorced, it’s not always possible. We have a lap dog my daughter picked out and named Fettuccine (Fetta), a cat, Luca and an aquarium full of semi-aggressive fish, including a fresh water shark named Bruce. I play guitar, am a horrible singer, but you know what, that doesn’t stop me from bellowing while I strum.

Be sure to visit Phillip’s blog next week: http://www.philliptomasso.com/blog-2/

 …•*¨`*•. .•*¨`*•. .•*¨`*•…

Third is the talented author of three mysteries, Patricia Gligor.

Patricia  is a Cincinnati native. She enjoys reading mystery/suspense novels, touring and photographing old houses and traveling. She has worked as an administrative assistant, the sole proprietor of a resume writing service and the manager of a sporting goods department but her passion has always been writing fiction.

Mixed Messages, Unfinished Business and Desperate Deeds, the first three novels in her Malone Mystery series, are available at amazon.com, postmortem-press.com and B&N.

Don’t forget to visit Patricia’s blog next week: http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/

…•*¨`*•. .•*¨`*•. .•*¨`*•…