Today's Mystery Author Guest: Lois Winston

As promised yesterday, fellow mystery author Lois Winston is visiting my blog today. To read her bio and see her photo, please page down to yesterday's post. The photo above is the cover for Lois's January 8th release, Revenge of the Crafty Corpse, the third book in her Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series.

In the book, Anastasia Pollack’s dead louse of a spouse has left her with more bills than you can shake a crochet hook at, and teaching craft classes at her mother-in-law’s assisted living center seems like a harmless way to supplement her meager income. But when Lyndella Wegner—a 98-year-old know-it-all with a penchant for ruffles and lace—is murdered, Anastasia’s cantankerous mother-in-law becomes the prime suspect.

Sounds like a great read to me! Below is Lois's guest article. Please leave a comment for her, and if you have a question for her, ask it! 

The Character Readers Love To Hate 

The idea for my Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries came about from a combination of events. My husband had recently lost his job, and although he’s nothing like Anastasia’s husband (thank goodness!), it sent me into a tailspin of worry regarding money. I was also dealing with massive mother-in-law problems at the time. On top of that, when I first started contemplating the series, The Sopranos was still airing on HBO. I’m a Jersey girl. How could I not set a mystery in my home state and involve the Mafia in some way? All of these elements came together to form the basis for Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun, the first book in the series.

The premise for the series is that when Anastasia’s gambling-addicted husband permanently cashes in his chips in Las Vegas, her life craps out. She’s left with two teenage sons, a mountain of debt, and a loan shark demanding fifty thousand dollars. Over the course of the series, Anastasia looks for ways to whittle down the massive debt she’s inherited, a task made more difficult by her spend-thrift mother, a self-proclaimed descendant of Russian royalty, and her curmudgeon mother-in-law, a card-carrying communist, both of whom live with her.

And did I mention the dead bodies? It’s not like Anastasia works in law enforcement. However, ever since her husband’s death, she keeps stumbling across murder victims, hardly something a craft editor expects.

I’ve always been drawn to quirky characters. They make me laugh. It’s the reason I write humorous amateur sleuth mysteries. I think we need more laughter in the world. I get enough of the grim and gritty from my daily newspaper and the evening news.

I don't often base my characters on people I know, but when I do, I usually take traits from various people, exaggerate them, and blend them together to create a unique character. Let’s face it, most people aren’t as quirky in real life as they are on the printed page.

The exception to this is Lucille, Anastasia’s mother-in-law. With a few minor differences, Lucille’s personality (along with her communist leanings) mirrors that of my now deceased mother-in-law. Lucille is the character readers love to hate. Some readers want me to kill her off; others love her, probably because they see some of their own mothers-in-law in her. I chalk this up to misery loving company.

There are now three books plus a short story in the series. Yesterday was the official release date of Revenge of the Crafty Corpse. In this book, Anastasia is moonlighting on weekends at the rehab center where Lucille is recovering from surgery. But when Lucille’s 98-year-old roommate turns up dead, Lucille becomes the prime suspect in her murder. Upon discovering that the roommate’s scandalous craft projects—along with her scandalous behavior—made her plenty of enemies, Anastasia sets out to find the real killer before her mother-in-law winds up behind bars.

Now I know, given readers’ feelings toward Lucille over the way she treats Anastasia, many will wonder why Anastasia would bother. After all, she could be rid of Lucille permanently. But no matter how huge a pain in the derriere Lucille is, Anastasia can’t sit by and let her go to prison for a crime she knows Lucille didn’t commit. Besides, if she did, I’d hardly have a plot, would I?

Thanks, Lois! Now, readers, do you have a favorite mystery character that you love to hate? If so, tell us about it. Also, for those who have read Lois's books, what's YOUR opinion of Lucille?

Tomorrow's Guest: Lois Winston

Tomorrow, fellow mystery author Lois Winston will be a guest on my blog. An award-winning author, Lois Winston writes the critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries series featuring magazine crafts editor and reluctant amateur sleuth Anastasia Pollack. Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun, the first book in the series, received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Kirkus Reviews dubbed it, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” Other books in the series includes Death By Killer Mop Doll, Crewel Intentions, and the recently released Revenge of the Crafty Corpse.

Lois is also published in women’s fiction, romance, romantic suspense, and non-fiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name. In addition, she’s an award-winning crafts and needlework designer and an agent with the Ashley Grayson Literary Agency. She’s also the author of Top Ten Reasons Your Novel is Rejected. Visit Lois at her website, visit her as Emma Carlyle at Emma's website, and visit Anastasia at the Killer Crafts and Crafty Killers character blog.

In her guest post tomorrow, Lois discusses "The Character Readers Love To Hate," and I'm sure you'll be intrigued by what she has to say. Then, feel free to ask her some questions or respond to the article in the comments.

Today's Mystery Author Guest: Lois Winston

As promised yesterday, fellow Midnight Ink mystery author Lois Winston is visiting my blog today. To read her bio and see her photo, please page down to yesterday's post.

Above is the cover photo for her most recent book, Death By Killer Mop Doll, the second book in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series. In the book, overdue bills and constant mother vs. mother-in-law battles at home are bad enough. But crafts editor Anastasia Pollack's stress level is maxed out when she and her fellow American Woman editors get roped into unpaid gigs for a revamped morning TV show. Before the glue is dry on Anastasia's mop dolls, morning TV turns crime drama when the studio is trashed and the producer is murdered. Former co-hosts Vince and Monica—sleazy D-list celebrities—stand out among a lengthy lineup of suspects, all furious over the show's new format. And Anastasia has no clue her snooping has landed her directly in the killer's unforgiving spotlight.

Below is Lois's guest post about giving thanks. Please leave a comment for Lois to let her know what you think, and feel free to ask her any questions you want about the post, her books, or her life as a writer.


First, I’d like to thank my fellow Midnight Inker, Beth Groundwater, for inviting me back to her blog as part of my month-long tour in celebration of the release of Death By Killer Mop Doll, the second book in my Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries.

Life for me has been rather chaotic the last couple of months, as I’m sure it’s been for most of you. Chaos goes hand-in-hand with the holidays, especially if it involves traveling lately. In addition to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, I was gearing up for the release of Death By Killer Mop Doll and my January blog tour. Oh, and then there was not only a book deadline but a major design deadline.

Sometimes when we have so much to juggle, we get lost in the details and forget the things that really matter most. So today I’d like to take the time to say thank-you.

Thank-you to all the readers out there who fall in love with our characters and continue to buy our books. Where would we be without you?

Thank you to my fellow Midnight Inkers. You are truly a fine bunch of writers, and I feel honored to know all of you virtually and some of you personally. I hope I’ll have the good fortune to meet more of you in person in the future.

Thank you to all the people -- the editors, designers, artists, sales force, and publicists -- who take our manuscripts, transform them into books, and make sure they land on bookstore shelves.

Thank you to the booksellers and librarians who tell readers about our books.

Thank you to my agents for being my champions.

Thank you to all my friends and family (you know who you are) who have encouraged me throughout my writing career.

In the song For Good from the musical Wicked, Elphaba, the Wicked Witch, and Glinda, the Good Witch, are saying good-bye to each other for the last time. Glinda tells Elphaba that she’s heard people come into each others’ lives for a reason and that knowing Elphaba has shaped her into the person she’s become. Elphaba tells Glinda that she’ll always be a part of her, like a handprint on her heart. Thank you to all the people who have left a handprint on this writer’s heart.

Are there people who have left handprints on your heart? Post a comment, and you could win one of 5 signed copies of Death By Killer Mop Doll that I’m giving away as part of my blog tour this month. The full tour schedule can be found at my website, and the Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog. In addition, I’m giving away 3 copies of Death By Killer Mop Doll on Goodreads.

Also, for anyone attending The American Library Association’s Mid-Winter conference January 20-24 in Dallas, Midnight Ink will be raffling off the hand-crafted mop doll shown in my photo below during the opening reception Friday evening. Register for the drawing at the Midnight Ink booth #1459.


Thanks, Lois! Now, who has a comment or question for her (and an entry in her contest)?

Tomorrow's Guest: Lois Winston

Tomorrow, fellow Midnight Ink mystery author Lois Winston will be a guest on my blog. Lois is the author of the critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries published by Midnight Ink. Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun, the first book in the series, received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. The new year brings with it the release of Death By Killer Mop Doll (Jan. 8th), the second book in the series. Read an excerpt HERE. Visit Anastasia at the Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog. You can also follow Lois and Anastasia on Twitter @anasleuth.

In her guest post tomorrow, Lois takes a moment to give thanks. I'm sure you'll be intrigued by what she has to say. Then, feel free to let Lois know what you think of her post or her books or to ask her a questions in the comments. And I'm sure you will want to comment, because every one is a entry into her blog-tour contest for free signed copies of Death By Killer Mop Doll!

Today's Mystery Author Guest: Lois Winston

As promised yesterday, fellow Midnight Ink mystery author Lois Winston is visiting my blog today to answer my interview questions and ones asked by my blog readers. To read her bio and see her photo, please page down to yesterday's post. Above is the cover photo for her January 8th release from Midnight Ink, Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun.

When Anastasia Pollack's husband permanently cashes in his chips at a roulette table in Vegas, her comfortable middle-class life craps out. She's left with two teenage sons, a mountain of debt, and her hateful, cane-wielding Communist mother-in-law. Not to mention stunned disbelief over her late husband's secret gambling addiction, and the loan shark who's demanding fifty thousand dollars.

Anastasia's job as crafts editor for a magazine proves no respite when she discovers a dead body glued to her office chair. The victim, fashion editor Marlys Vandenburg, collected enemies and ex-lovers like Jimmy Choos on her ruthless climb to editor-in-chief. But when evidence surfaces of an illicit affair between Marlys and Anastasia's husband, Anastasia becomes the number one suspect.

Boy does that sound like a juicy plot! See what Lois Winston has to say in response to my questions below, and feel free to ask her additional questions in comments.

1. Who or what inspired you to start writing and when did you start?

Some kids know from the moment they pick up their first #2 pencil that they want to be a writer. That wasn’t the case with me. The idea never occurred to me. Then, one night while on a business trip, I had a very vivid dream. This in itself was strange because I generally don’t remember my dreams. But not only did I remember this one, on successive nights the dream reoccurred, unfolding like the chapters of a book. I started writing it down. When I finished, I had a 50,000 word novel that spanned 35 years -- totally unpublishable, but that didn’t deter me. By that point I’d been bitten by the writing bug. Nearly sixteen years later, I’m still writing.

2. What tools and process do you use to “get to know” your characters before and while you’re writing the books?

I keep a database where I jot down physical characteristics and personality traits for each character. I also like to find photos that match the way I imagine my characters look. In my books I often use celebrities as reference points in describing my characters because it’s easier for readers to form an image in their minds that way. For instance, in my Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries, I describe Anastasia’s mother as bearing a striking resemblance to actress Ellen Burstyn. That way, even if the reader isn’t familiar with the celebrity mentioned, a quick Google search will pull up photos. Beyond that, I give my characters free rein to develop as they want to within the parameters of the story.

3. How do you construct your plots? Do you outline or do you write “by the seat of your pants”?

I’m a “pantser” who has been forced to become a “plotter.” Having already published several books, I can now submit on proposal (three chapters and a synopsis.) So I don’t waste months working on a book only to find there’s no interest in it. However, writing proposals means I now need to outline my stories. Editors need to know your characters’ goals, motivations, and conflicts, along with your plot arc before they’ll make a commitment.

4. In the age-old question of character versus plot, which one do you think is most important in a murder mystery and which one do you emphasize in your writing? Why?

I believe both are important. No one wants to read about cardboard characters or stale plots. However, in a mystery, plot is paramount. Still, I want my characters to come alive on the page, be both interesting and believable to the reader, and never TSTL (too stupid to live).

5. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer and what inspires you and keeps you motivated?

Very few writers sell the first book they write. Or if they do, it’s after countless rejections and many revisions, often taking years. Patience is key, but when God was handing out patience, I was too impatient to wait in line. So for me, the biggest challenge has been learning to be patient. And it doesn’t end after that first sale. I made the decision to leave my first publisher. It was the right decision, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time in the industry. As a result, it took two and a half years after the release of my second book for me to sell my third book. Did I mention I don’t do “patience” well?

What keeps me motivated? The voices in my head are constantly threatening to beat me up if I don’t keep writing about them.

6. What is a typical workday for you and how many hours a day (or week) do you devote to writing?

This varies by day and week. I juggle three separate careers. Besides writing, I’m also a designer and an associate of the literary agency that represents me. Some days are divided between all three, some days between two of the three, and some days are spent on only one. It all depends on which deadlines are the most pressing.

7. What advice do you have to offer to an aspiring author?

Don’t give up! This is a tough business. Even NY Times bestselling authors deal with rejection. If you can’t handle rejection and criticism, you’ll never survive. If you can channel the rejection and criticism to spur you to improve your writing, you have a good chance of achieving your goal of getting published.

However, if you want to get published because you think it’s a quick way to fame and fortune, go buy some lottery tickets instead. The general public only hears about the 6 and 7 figure deals scored by celebrities and a select few bestselling authors. The truth is that for every 6 and 7 figure deal, there are thousands that are low 4 figures. The average advance for a first time fiction sale these days is $5,000 or less. Most are much less. And subsequent advances aren’t that much higher. I know bestselling authors who can’t afford to quit their day jobs.

8. Now here’s a zinger. Tell us something about yourself that you have not revealed in another interview yet. Something as simple as your favorite TV show or food will do.

Well, you can easily find out my favorite TV show and food on my website, so no secret there. And in previous guest blogs over the years, I’ve divulged that motion sickness sidelined my career as an astronaut before it ever got off the ground. However, I don’t think I’ve ever told an interviewer that I used to play the violin -- very badly. Hence, the “used to.”

9. What are you working on now and what are your future writing plans?

I’m hard at work on the third book in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries series. Look for Book 2 in January 2012 and Book 3 in January 2013. Beyond that, I have some book proposals my agent is shopping around.

10. Is there anything else you would like to tell my blog readers?

First, I want to thank you, Beth, for inviting me to be a guest at your blog today.

Your readers can learn more about me and find the first chapter of Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun at my website. In addition, Anastasia and her fellow editors blog at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers, where you’ll find crafts projects, recipes, guest authors and more.

Throughout the month of January, I’m doing a blog tour and book giveaway in celebration of the release of Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun. You can find the schedule at both my website and at Anastasia’s blog. Everyone who posts a comment to any of the blogs over the course of the month will be entered into a drawing to receive one of 5 copies of Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun. (If your email isn’t included in your comment, please email me privately at lois@loiswinston.com to let me know you’ve entered so I have a way of getting in touch with the winners.) In addition, I’ll also be giving away an assortment of crafts books on selected blogs, so look for those as well.

Thanks, Lois!

Tomorrow's Guest: Lois Winston!

Tomorrow fellow Midnight Ink mystery author Lois Winston will be a guest on my blog. Lois is celebrating the publication of the first mystery in her Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun. She's an award-winning author of romantic suspense, humorous women's fiction, and mystery. She's also an award-winning designer of needlework and crafts projects for magazines, craft book publishers, and craft kit manufacturers. Like the protagonist in her Anastasia Pollack crafting mysteries, Lois worked for several years as a crafts editor.

Lois answered my interview questions, and I'm sure you'll be intrigued by what she has to say. Then, feel free to ask her some questions of your own. Also, anyone who leaves a comment on tomorrow's post will be entered into a contest to win one of five copies of Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun that Lois is giving away on her virtual blog tour!