Amy R. Anguish's Blog, page 14

Author Interview: Deborah Sprinkle

Okay, ya'll, I don't read many mysteries, but I do love me some mystery authors. Especially this one. Deborah (or Debbie, as I call her) Sprinkle is on of my Scrivenings Press family, and she's so fun to hang out with. I think you're going to love getting to know her more today too. What made you choose to write mysteries? Do you have a specific type of mystery you prefer over another?

I grew up reading English mysteries. My mom loved them and so that’s what I read too. Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham and Ngaio Marsh who were collectively called the Queens of Crime. As I got older, I branched out to other authors, but I still gravitate to British mysteries. 
I don’t care much for what’s called hard boiled or noir. They contain too many graphic details and bad language for me. I like the ones that take some brain power—that aren’t so easy to figure out. 

Are any of your characters based off of real people in your life? 

There are a few who I have written with a certain person in mind, but I don’t make the character exactly like he or she. I take characteristics from this one or that one and mix them together to make an interesting character. 
I have one character I based off one of my favorite TV detectives. You’ll have to read my books to see if you can guess which one it is. 
Which one of your characters do you think is most like you and why? 

I think Madison Long in my first book is most like me. I heard you should write about what you know. So I made her a chemistry teacher on summer break who lives on a small lake in the Midwest. I taught chemistry for ten years and we lived on a lake for many years in Indiana. In fact, Madison’s house is modeled after the house we had. But as the books progressed, Madison became her own person, which is as it should be.
 
Do you use your chemistry history in any of your stories? 

In my first book, chemistry was a big part of the story. After that, I tried to bring in something that touch on chemistry in each book in the first series. When I started my second series about two private investigators in a small town in Missouri, I decided to stop emphasizing the chemistry, but I ended up writing in a character who is a retired chemistry teacher with other skills!
 
What’s one of the strangest things you’ve ever had to research for your stories? 

I’ve researched some weird stuff through the years! I keep waiting for some government agency to come knocking on my door wanting to know what exactly is going on in this household. I’ve researched everything from what caliber bullet would penetrate a flack vest to what exactly is brimstone. Brimstone, by the way, is an old name for sulfur or any rock containing sulfur.
 
You just had a Mac and Sam Mystery release in August, but you’re releasing another book in your Pleasant Valley Series next year. Can you tell us how the two series differ? 

I’m actually releasing a third Mac and Sam book next year as well. Why I thought I could write two books in one year, I’m not sure! I’m not usually a fast writer. Anyway, my first series, Trouble in Pleasant Valley, is romantic suspense. The Mac and Sam series is mystery. The differences are that the first series tends to have a more serious tone overall with more action and romantic elements. Being a romance, there must be a satisfying end to the romance at the end along with the bad guys getting caught. In my mystery series, there’s more reasoning things out and a little less action. Although, I still manage to get them in a lot of scrapes. I try to keep my audience guessing who dun it until close to the end of the book. And, although there is a romantic element, it doesn’t have to get taken care of by the end of the book. Both are very satisfying to write for different reasons.
 
And last but not least, can you leave us with one thing very few people know about you? 

When I was a kid, my mom mixed my peas with applesauce to get me to eat them, and to this day, I love eating my peas with applesauce. LOL
​
Well, that was unexpected but interesting! Ha!
I hope you enjoyed getting to know a bit more about Deborah Sprinkle. Keep reading to find out more about her newest book as well as where to keep up with her.
The Case of Mistaken Identity

Private Investigator Mackenzie Love manages to get into trouble on a simple shopping trip where she finds herself at the business end of a gun. It’s clear her attacker mistakes her for someone else, but who? And why is her look-alike in so much trouble? 

Mac enlists the help of her partners, Samantha Majors and Miss P, and Detective Jake Sanders to find her doppelgänger and solve the case of mistaken identity. 

In the meantime, Mr. Fischer of Fischer Industries comes to the private detectives for help with a problem of his own. As Mac and Sam work on his case, they begin to wonder if the two cases are related. 

Can Mac and Sam unravel the clues and get justice for both Mac’s look-alike and Mr. Fischer? Deborah Sprinkle has written three romantic suspense novels that together make up the series Trouble in Pleasant Valley. She’s won many awards, including one for a short story called Progressive Dinner, which is the inspiration for her new mystery series, Mac and Sam Mysteries, set in Washington, Missouri. The first book, The Case of the Innocent Husband is available on Amazon, and now the second book, The Case of Mistaken Identity, is as well. (August, 2023) She is currently working on the third book, The Case of the Stolen Memories. Connect with Deborah at https://authordeborahsprinkle.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/deborah.sprinkle.5/

How did Nanowrimo Go?

If you remember, I set out to participate in Nanowrimo again this year for the first time in ages. Needless to say, I wasn't sure how it was going to work. After all, I hadn't found time to write much of anything this whole year. How was I going to do it during one of the busiest months?
But I had this story idea about a Cinderella re-telling in my head and it needed to get out. So, I signed up. Maybe just saying I was going to do Nanowrimo would make it happen.
And of course I upped the word count I wanted to achieve in 30 days, because I'm insane. But it's okay. Because you see that picture up above? It's part of the screen you get when you "win" Nanowrimo. I saw that screen on November 22nd. That's right. I hit 50,000 words 8 days before I had to. I can honestly say this Nanowrimo has been like no others. For one, I actually got to attend a couple of write-ins at the local library. That was fun. There's no talking, of course. You bring whatever you're going to write on/in, and you write for an hour. That's it. But everyone around you is also writing, so it's encouraging and forces you to actually do what you're supposed to be doing. Ha!
I also helped encourage several other authors participating in Nanowrimo this year. That was fun too. Asking them each day what their word count totals were helped keep me accountable on the days I didn't feel like writing. I will grant you that a few days I wrote only a few hundred words, but I wrote. That's the point of Nanowrimo. To get in the habit of writing every day.
And this year, I surprised myself a bit. I found I could knock out a chapter in less than two hours. Sometimes, in less than an hour and a half. And my chapters run 9-10 pages, which averages about 2,200-2,500 words for me. I write a lot of dialog! Anyway, it's encouraging to me to know I CAN do that, even in the midst of the chaos of life and holidays and all the other things. Because it means I can do that at times when it's not Nanowrimo too. I can take part of my life back a little bit and get more knocked out next year, hopefully. It's a dream, anyway.
So, how did Nanowrimo go?
Well, today is the last day. I'm *almost* finished with my story as I write this blog post. I'll definitely finish tonight, whether I attend the last write-in or not. And I'm probably going to pass 70,000 words with this manuscript, which is 5,000 more than I had originally aimed for.
Is my story perfect? No way. But is it good? I think so. I'll finish it tonight, let it rest for a few weeks, polish it up, and then we'll see what we can do about getting it published. How's that sound?
Did you participate in Nanowrimo this year or in the past? How did you do? Have you tackled any other goals that you weren't sure were achievable and then surpassed them?

Behind the Story: Mark

What's a Christmas story without children? Obviously it can be done, but are they as much fun? I don't think so.
Needless to say, all of my Christmas stories have ended up having children involved. A few years ago, in the Candy Cane Wishes collection, my hero was a single dad dealing with his tween and her attitude. This year, my Christmas story, Mama Dated Santa, has Mark. He's the nephew of Trudy, my heroine. And he's a fun-loving four-year-old who adores Santa. Because that's a really fun age at Christmas.
Some neat facts: I also have a nephew named Mark, but he's no longer four, so except for the name, there's not much else in common with the one in my book. The man I call Santa now is also named Mark. See how that all works? Mark in my story, like all kids, picks up on things the adults don't even realize he's noticed. He asks Santa to make his Aunt Tootie happy again. And for a fire truck with real-working sirens, of course. And Trudy will do just about anything for Mark, even though she's not really in the Christmas mood. He's a good excuse for her family to draw her into the Christmas activities, even if she thinks she's not ready yet.
Children are pure and innocent in their excitement and joy. They remind us so much about what's important and where our focus really needs to be. How could I not include a child in my Christmas story? Especially a story with a toy store Santa Claus.
​What do you think? Do you think children make Christmas even better?
Trudy McNamara doesn’t do Christmas anymore. But she will do anything for her nephew Mark, even take him to visit Santa. After Dad died and the holiday bucket lists stopped, December hasn’t been the same. But Trudy finds herself tangled up with the toy store Santa and Christmas when she discovers her mom … dated Santa.
Nick Russo, manager of Russos’ Toy Emporium, is at a loss as to how to save his family’s store. When Uncle Paul, the Santa and part-owner, hires Trudy to revamp their store, Nick’s life turns upside down. He’s been so focused on the numbers, the Christmas season has become nothing more than one last drive for sales. But Trudy makes him re-evaluate his attitude as well as want to help hers.

Can two holiday-haters renew their love for the season … and more?

Passing on the Blessings

Last Friday, I got to do something very special. I returned to the campus where I attended college and spoke to a class of English majors. This made me so happy.
You see, years ago, when I was a student, another author came to speak to one of my classes. And she became a mentor, steering me in the right direction, and helping me meet people who would later become my publishers. And since becoming a published author, I have so many other authors help me figure things out and learn. I wouldn't be where I am today without all those people who shared their knowledge and experience. To be able to share at least a little of that with others is an amazing feeling.
So many people say that being an author is a lonely occupation, but I haven't found it to be so. I am surrounded by other authors and people in the industry who walk with me and beside me. Got a question? I have half a dozen different places I can ask it and get a good answer. Need help figuring something out? Same thing.
Standing there in that classroom, sharing just a bit of the knowledge I have gained over the years, it felt like I was exactly where I needed to be. So many have blessed me in my publishing walk. How can I not pass it on?
I am also blessed to be part of a program the school offers where students interested in pursuing that career field can email an alum who is already in it. I've answered several emails this semester of students with questions about being an author. I try not to overwhelm them. ;)
Do you try to find ways to pass on the knowledge you've gained in your life? It's such a thrill and I highly recommend it.
By the way, I also ended up being on the news that day! You can see more about that here. News Article

Behind the Story: Peppermint

When I think of Christmas, two flavors come to mind. Peppermint and gingerbread.
I'm sure some people want to include eggnog in there too, but it's not one I prefer. 
Needless to say, when writing a Christmas novel, there was going to be some seasonal flavors mixed in. Of course, I don't think I realized Trudy was going to run away with one of them. That's right. My characters sometimes take over my stories.
You see, Trudy loves peppermint. To the point that she puts it in her hot chocolate and her coffee. And her truffles. And decorates in that theme too. She just can't help herself.
As I was researching different items to include, I ran across the idea of a peppermint hot chocolate truffle. How amazing does that sound? The rich chocolate ganache with a hint of mint, rolled in tiny marshmallows and crushed candy cane. Mmm. Makes me want to overcome my fear of making ganache!
Needless to say, right now I'm waiting for all the fall flavors to go away for another year (despite loving them too) because I've put myself in the mood for peppermint too.
Do you ever do that? Read a book or watch a movie and then want to go eat or drink whatever that character loved?
How do you feel about peppermint? What's your favorite way to eat or drink it? Or do you prefer eggnog?
​Trudy McNamara doesn’t do Christmas anymore. But she will do anything for her nephew Mark, even take him to visit Santa. After Dad died and the holiday bucket lists stopped, December hasn’t been the same. But Trudy finds herself tangled up with the toy store Santa and Christmas when she discovers her mom … dated Santa.
Nick Russo, manager of Russos’ Toy Emporium, is at a loss as to how to save his family’s store. When Uncle Paul, the Santa and part-owner, hires Trudy to revamp their store, Nick’s life turns upside down. He’s been so focused on the numbers, the Christmas season has become nothing more than one last drive for sales. But Trudy makes him re-evaluate his attitude as well as want to help hers.

Can two holiday-haters renew their love for the season … and more?

Author Interview: Debbi Migit

Today, I'm introducing you to one of my publishing family. Debbi Migit has some really neat stories to tell, and I think you're going to enjoy getting to know her. Make sure you read all the way to the end to learn more about her newest book, releasing this month. Debbi, congrats on the release of the third book in your series. What made you start writing mysteries?

I wrote my first mystery in 7th grade. Every day I sat by the window in math class staring at an abandoned house across the railroad tracks. I wrote a story about thieves using the house as a base to move stolen merchandise. They placed an old flower pot on the right side of the front porch and when they had items to sell, they moved the pot to the left to alert their buyers. Hopefully, my plotting has improved since then! 


I know you live in Illinois, so why did you choose to set your series in Montana?

I wanted to write a contemporary story set near an abandoned gold rush town. When I discovered Bannack. Montana, I knew I was home. Dillon, Montana is a real town about thirty minutes down the mountain from Bannack. I anchored the fictional town of Justice between those two places. The more I learn about Montana the more I would love to live there. I’ve always been a cowgirl at heart and mountains are my happy place. I’m hoping to visit the area soon, for research, of course 😊
The series follows three sisters. Did you include any personal relationship stories from your own siblings in your books?

Jess Thomas and her sister Sly, are dating Cole McBride and his brother, Nick who is the Deputy Sheriff. This pairing wasn’t a stretch for me to write since I have the same situation in my family. My mom and her sister married my dad and his brother.  Also, Cole is a family name that began with my great-great grandfather, Colby Campbell. It seemed like the perfect name for my hero.

I know you have a huge heart for adoption, in part because of the adoption story of your own family. Do you think you'll ever include adoption in a future story?

You read my mind! I hadn’t planned it, but since I’m a pantser, I don’t plan anything. LOL. But as I was writing November Knight, an adoption scenario tickled my mind. I’m not sure when it will happen, although I know who. Nothing I write will be as wild as my three real-life adoption stories. They are so amazing I had to write a separate book about them! I may even incorporate some of my experiences since fact can be stranger than fiction.

Which one of your characters do you think is most like you and why?

I wish I could say Jess. She is the intrepid heroine I would love to be- smart, brave, funny, and loyal. I’d like to think I have those qualities, too, but probably not to the degree Jess does. I’m more like Grace-level-headed and pragmatic. But the thing I love about Grace is that while she does try to curb Jess’s impulsivity, Grace can be counted on to be right there when the action starts.

What's next for you? Can you give us a sneak peek into what you're working on after the release of November Knight?

The Justice series will continue with December Dreams and then January Justice. I’ve already started writing December Dreams and all I can say is, “Hold on tight, it’s gonna’ be a bumpy ride!”

Last but not least, can you tell us one thing about yourself that very few people know?

Although I wrote about it in Child of Promise, many people don’t know that I had a stalker for several years, even after I was married. Jake (not his real name) and I began dating as co-workers, but when I broke up with him, Jake became irrational and lost his job because he continued to harass me at work. And that’s when the real terror started!

Yikes! I'm glad that is over now. You've definitely intrigued me with your stories. I hope the other readers here decide to check them out too. Thanks for joining me today, Debbi!
November Knight

Book Three in the Justice, Montana Series.


When kidnappers take her friend, Sierra Gallagher, Jess Thomas is determined to find her. But a simple clue reveals a threat Jess never saw coming, plunging her into a life-threatening confrontation.
​
Meanwhile, former Army Ranger Levi Cooper is now a valuable task force member searching for the missing girls. But when he encounters Sierra, Levi discovers he has another mission.

Award-winning author and speaker Debbi Migit lives in central Illinois, surrounded by pumpkin patches and cornfields. Her first book, Child of Promise, is the true love story of a family formed through adoption. After ten years of infertility, Debbi and her husband Phil were just months from adopting when God said, “Not this way.” Child of Promise is the story of audacious faith resulting in multiple miracles. It encourages readers to remember their own promises and believe again.
 
Debbi has won multiple awards and contests, writing stories that are filled with faith and hope. She loves to share personal anecdotes about God’s faithfulness, infusing her talks with authenticity and humor. Debbi and Phil are the adoptive parents of Alex (34), Ethan (23), and Kate (22). The God-ordained spacing of their children offered the unique opportunity to parent a teen and two toddlers–at the same time. This is the season Debbi fondly calls the TNT years!
 
Debbi’s hobbies include reading, writing, and avoiding arithmetic. Her favorite color is turquoise, and she collects Trixie Belden books and typewriters. If playing Candy Crush was a paying gig, she would be rich.
 
Debbi’s Justice, Montana series begins with September Shadows, released in February, 2021. After the mysterious death of their parents, Jess Thomas and her sisters are determined to stay together and make a new life for themselves, which includes faith-testing danger, adventure, and romance.
Look for October Outlaw in the fall of 2021, followed by November Knight, December Dreams, and January Justice in 2022-2024.

Website: Debbimigit.com
Facebook: Author Debbi Migit
Instagram: authordebbimigit
Public email: dmigit55@gmail.com

Behind the Story: Holiday Bucket Lists

When I started writing Mama Dated Santa, I didn't have a ton of direction. Mostly what I knew was the title and that my main characters were both well, not into the holiday spirit. But as I got to know Trudy, I realized she had been at one point. Then, I just had to figure out what ruined it for her. Of course, with her mom being a widow, it was pretty obvious it was going to have something to do with her dad.
Okay, so then I started exploring her relationship with her Dad. Sure, he loved Christmas. But what made it so special to do Christmas with him? Then, she let me know about their bucket lists.
(Yes. My characters talk to me.)
​So, what is a holiday bucket list?
Well, for Trudy and her dad, their bucket lists were three things they did each year that they'd never done before (or wanted to do again). Things like going to see "The Nutcracker" or the Rockettes, going ice skating, looking at lights, making fudge, etc. Christmas-y experiences.
In some ways, my family has our own Christmas bucket list. Every year we want to make sure we watch certain specials, go see lights while drinking hot chocolate, make time for White Christmas at least once, and a few other parties and activities. But it doesn't change much from year to year.
So, as I was writing Trudy's story, I wanted to make their tradition to do something different each year. Because I do have a "bucket list" of sorts in my own head of things I'd like to do sometime. Like going to see the Rockettes. Or ice skating in New York. Or caroling again.
And with so many different things to do around the holidays, isn't it easy to grow that list until you find something different to do each year? This year, I'm taking my daughter to see the play "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." A few years ago we saw "The Nutcracker." Sometime, I'd like to go do the ICE thing at Opryland. You get the idea.
What are some items on your own bucket list? What are some fun activities you've done in the past I could add to mine?
​Trudy McNamara doesn’t do Christmas anymore. But she will do anything for her nephew Mark, even take him to visit Santa. After Dad died and the holiday bucket lists stopped, December hasn’t been the same. But Trudy finds herself tangled up with the toy store Santa and Christmas when she discovers her mom … dated Santa.
Nick Russo, manager of Russos’ Toy Emporium, is at a loss as to how to save his family’s store. When Uncle Paul, the Santa and part-owner, hires Trudy to revamp their store, Nick’s life turns upside down. He’s been so focused on the numbers, the Christmas season has become nothing more than one last drive for sales. But Trudy makes him re-evaluate his attitude as well as want to help hers.

Can two holiday-haters renew their love for the season … and more?

Nanowrimo 23

Tomorrow is Halloween. Also known as Nanowrimo Eve.
Is it not also known as that in your house? Hm.
​Well, in my house, it means I'm gearing up to finally write a new story. With four books releasing this year (a blessing, yes, but a lot too), I haven't had time to finish writing anything. Not even a novella. So, I'm claiming November for myself. I will participate in Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) for the first time in several years, and I will write a new book.
​At least, that's the plan.
My story idea this year is a Cinderella retelling, set in modern-day West Virginia. Here's the working blurb I've come up with for now:
Ella's dream is to have her artwork displayed in the famous Prince Gallery, but she has to eke out a minute here and there to work on it between working for her stepmother. When her stepsister steals her drawing and claims it as her own, she fears her last chance is gone.
Chaz Prince wants to prove to his dad that he's ready to take more responsibility at the family gallery, but his dad doesn't love Chaz's preference for more modern pieces. Chaz talks him into a contest to bring in some new artists and see how they do, hoping this will prove his point. When he stumbles across Ella's piece, he not only wants the artwork, but wants to get to know the artist too.
At the masquerade to celebrate the contest winners, Ella is determined to let them know the artwork is hers, but time is against her. And where did her shoe end up?
What do you think? Can I pull off a full-length novel in 30 days once more? It's been a while since I aimed to do this. But I'm determined. And my characters have already shown me several scenes. In two days, I start to write them down!!!
What are you doing in November?

Behind the Story: For the Love of Santa

By now, you've probably heard quite a bit of my story about how I came up with Mama Dated Santa. How my mother-in-law dated a guy in college who grew up to be Santa now. She probably never even knew about it because we didn't find out until after she'd passed away.
Funny enough, though, she LOVED all things Santa. These pictures are just part of her collection that she'd get out every Christmas. Ornaments, knick-knacks, a wreath, even a big shelf-sitter. They ranged from cute to classic and every style in between. And every time I see a Santa, I think of her. Just no helping it.
Needless to say, how could I not instill at least a bit of the love of Santa in my own children? And in my characters as well. You don't even have to "believe" in him as much as you simply believe in what he stands for. He's someone who is jolly and good and wants the best for boys and girls at Christmas. What could be better?
​So, as I was writing my book about Santa, I wanted to make sure he fit all those things. Was he jolly? Was he good-hearted? Did he want the best?
I'd like to think I did a good job. Though I often wonder if Mark, the little boy in the story, wonders about him after Christmas when he's still hanging out with his Nana. ;) Just like I wonder about my kids ... if they have quite figured out the whole "men playing Santa in one place who are our friends' grandfathers in another." Because it's very real. Maybe that just adds to the magic.
After all, who is more jolly and good than a grandfather, right?
Do you love Santa? Do you have a collection? Prefer more modern, cutesy, classic, or some of all?
Is there a Santa in your life?
​Trudy McNamara doesn’t do Christmas anymore. But she will do anything for her nephew Mark, even take him to visit Santa. After Dad died and the holiday bucket lists stopped, December hasn’t been the same. But Trudy finds herself tangled up with the toy store Santa and Christmas when she discovers her mom … dated Santa.
Nick Russo, manager of Russos’ Toy Emporium, is at a loss as to how to save his family’s store. When Uncle Paul, the Santa and part-owner, hires Trudy to revamp their store, Nick’s life turns upside down. He’s been so focused on the numbers, the Christmas season has become nothing more than one last drive for sales. But Trudy makes him re-evaluate his attitude as well as want to help hers.

Can two holiday-haters renew their love for the season … and more?

Behind the Story: Grief at the Holidays

The very first Christmas after my mother-in-law passed away, I was setting the table and put out one too many plates. I was so used to setting one for her, as well, that I naturally just counted to that number. And when I realized what I had done, I had to stop for a minute. Because the pain was raw.
It's been six years. I no longer set the wrong amount of plates at the table, but I still have those moments when I stop and blink a few times and have to catch my breath. Because I still miss her.
​Grief is real. And it doesn't really go away. It just isn't as sharp after a while. It dulls just enough to be able to catch you off guard, in my opinion.
Last year was the first time my father-in-law had put out most of my mother-in-law's Santa collection. And it just made it feel like a part of her was still with us.
This year, I'm missing her extra. I think it's because of this book I just released. After all, she helped inspire it.  She was an amazing woman and she left a big hole in our family.
When I started writing Mama Dated Santa, I knew it was going to include some grief. After all, to have a widow and widower, someone had to die. And when someone first read it, they told me my character's grief was too much for five years to have passed. I shook my head. I know several people who lost children or spouses decades ago and it hurts them just as much now as then. 
Everyone grieves differently. And we all have different triggers. But doesn't it seem to hit more at the holidays? A time when people are supposed to be getting together and having family time. That's when it's most obvious that someone is missing.
Don't worry, though. My book isn't only about grief. It's also about finding ways to enjoy life in the middle of it. Because life is still worth living and living well, even when we're missing someone special. My mother-in-law would love that we got her Santas out last year. She'd adore seeing the kids' reactions to the extra decorations. We'll always miss her, but a part of her lives on in our memories of her too.
Just like a part of my character Trudy's dad will always live on in the good memories she has of him. 
Do you love having some reality mixed in with fiction, even if it's painful? Or do you prefer to read things a bit lighter during the holidays?
Mama Dated Santa

Trudy McNamara doesn’t do Christmas anymore. But she will do anything for her nephew Mark, even take him to visit Santa. After Dad died and the holiday bucket lists stopped, December hasn’t been the same. But Trudy finds herself tangled up with the toy store Santa and Christmas when she discovers her mom … dated Santa.
Nick Russo, manager of Russos’ Toy Emporium, is at a loss as to how to save his family’s store. When Uncle Paul, the Santa and part-owner, hires Trudy to revamp their store, Nick’s life turns upside down. He’s been so focused on the numbers, the Christmas season has become nothing more than one last drive for sales. But Trudy makes him re-evaluate his attitude as well as want to help hers.

Can two holiday-haters renew their love for the season … and more?