Thanks for stopping by! This is the official blog for the Rona Shively Stories Mystery Series. Check in for details on upcoming Rona Shively Stories and other events! Watch Rona's transformation as she tackles life head on, now armed with newly found faith and the knowledge that she is not actually in control of anything. Finally, it is all starting to make sense.

Upcoming Events

***All Rona Shively books are now available on Kindle! See below for details!***Buy your copy of any Rona Shively Story and help someone today. All proceeds go to Higher Ground Ministries to empower women! Get your copy today at Amazon.com!***Help women reach Higher Ground! http://www.highergroundministries.wordpress.com.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Author Interview: Susan Rose


Susan Rose is a writer who lives in the Washington, DC area. Her first novel, Confessions of a Frog Kisser, was very loosely based on her dating adventures. In her other life, she and her sisters own a small graphic design agency, Two Sisters Creative. Susan is the copywriter, specializing in marketing materials. She also co-owns Rejuvenations Massage Therapy with her husband. Although there is nothing creative about massage, it’s an awfully fun business to own. Susan is currently working on her chick lit mystery series starring Public Relations mogul Ellie Holsinger. Here is my interview with Susan:

What are the titles of your books and where can we buy them?
Confessions of a Frog Kisser. It’s currently out of print, but should be available on cafepress soon.

Where do you get your ideas?
From my life. You just can’t make this stuff up! All kidding aside, my work with the design agency puts me in contact with so many people. I’m constantly learning something I can use. For example, the idea for the crime in my work in progress came from one of my clients…they’re food security experts and while we were running through their training sessions, I got the idea for the book.

What is a typical writing day like for you?
My routine is to write for a while in the morning, then leave it and go about my day. I may or may not pick it up in the evening. I find since I write for a living that sometimes my brain just wants a rest!

Why did you choose your current genre?
I’ve always loved mystery novels—Linda Barnes, Sue Grafton, and Marcia Mueller are three of my favorites. I wanted to create a character that would last throughout several books.

What are you currently working on?
Bad Heir Day is my first foray into the mystery world. It’s a lot of fun…and a lot of research!

Do you have any appearances planned?
Not currently

What advice would you like to give to other writers or anyone interested in becoming a writer?
Just sit down and start writing. Don’t worry about the end…if you think about writing a whole novel, you may well get paralyzed with fear. I find that if I just think about it in small pieces, it will all come together. I also use a timer…I set it for 20 minutes. After that, I can stop if I want. Often I’ll keep going, but I don’t have to. I finished Frog Kisser by spending 20 minutes a day on it.

Hope you've enjoyed this interview with Susan Rose. I'll be interviewing more authors in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!


Subscribe to Benston Blogs by Email

No comments:

A Little Bit of Mystery: Short Mysteries to Confuse and Amuse

Where I've Been...

Listen to my interview on the Jeffery S. Miller show.

Listen to my interview on Calling All Authors.

Listen to my interview on the Let's Just Talk w/Kathryn Raaker.

Listen to my interview on Radio Free Baxter.

Where I'll Be...

After a short break in the summer, I'll be at the following locations:

8/11/09 Allen Park Public Library, Allen Park, MI 6:30 p.m.

Looking for something entertaining for your library or bookstore patrons? Looking for a fun way to spend a couple of hours? Do you love mysteries? Then you need to schedule a Tea & Mystery event for your library or bookstore! The fee is minimal and the presentation is fun and informative! Attendees will be given the chance to win great prizes and share their thoughts about the mystery genre and their favorite mystery writers!

E-mail me today at lonestoryteller@yahoo.com for details on how to set up your Tea & Mystery event!

Books by Rebecca Benston

Reviews for Rebecca Benston

“You'll find yourself looking forward to more stories from the files of Rona Shively.”

Michelle Shealy, Reviewer for MyShelf.com

***

“Rebecca Benston has written a detective with plenty of suspense…I hope there will be a sequel…”

Annick, Reviewer for Euro-Reviews

***

“The story is good, the plotting great. Rebecca Benston draws you into the story from the first page. Read the book.”

Lucille P. Robinson, An Alternative Read

***

“Rebecca Benston’s twists, turns, and descriptions are utterly engaging.”

Tracy, Fallen Angel Reviews

***

“In The Wash is like a 1930’s film noir detective story that had a modern, edgy twist and a female lead.”

Janet Davies, Once Upon a Romance Reviews

***

“Under Lock and Key is an enjoyable, fun book! Rona Shively is a delightful character. I loved her off-beat, quirky personality and her outstanding sense of humor.”

Connie Harris, MyShelf.com

***

“Talented author Rebecca Benston shows the reader just how complicated life can get suddenly and how people you thought you knew, aren't who you thought they were.”

Anne K. Edwards, Mysteryfiction.net