Mystery We Write Blog Tour With Anne K. Albert

Special Interview with Anne K. Albert—Mystery and Suspense Author

Welcome Anne, to Cozy Mysteries and Other Madness. Thanks for dropping by to tell us about your latest book and to share your secrets.

It’s said that Anne’s books chill the spine, warm the heart, and soothe the soul…all with a delightful touch of humor. That kind of a read sounds wonderful to me. So Anne, could we start with you telling us a little about your latest novel, FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL?

Frank, Incense and Muriel is the first book of my Muriel Reeves Mysteries. This story takes place the week before Christmas when the stress of the holiday season is enough to frazzle anyone's nerves. To find a missing woman, Frank and Muriel must deal with an embezzler, femme fatale, kidnapper, and of course, Muriel's eccentric, (but loveable) family.

This story received a 5-star review and Reviewer Top Pick award from Night Owl Reviews.

Your mystery sounds really exciting, is your private life as thrilling as your books? What do you do when you’re not writing?

I love to travel. I could literally be on the road 365 days of the year and never feel homesick.

And I’ll bet that every mile you traveled, another story idea popped into your head. What challenges did a prolific writer such as you face in getting published?

Like so many other authors, I completed and submitted five different manuscripts and I received countless rejections from agents and editors on all of them. The year prior to getting “the call” was the most difficult. It was also the most disheartening. I’d get positive comments about my writing ability. Some would point to my interesting characters and storyline. Others enjoyed my dialogue, etc. They’d include best wishes for a long and prosperous future in the publishing world, but still reject my work. That polite sorry, “not right for me,” comment left me reeling. As the weeks and months wore on, I began to question if anyone would offer me a contract. It got so bleak I quit for almost a year. That period of my writing life really was the dark before the dawn!

You came back to writing after a year’s hiatus. I suspect that means that someone encouraged you to continue writing. Who was this special supporter of your writing?

My husband. He’s always been supportive of me, no matter what I do.

Now, here are some of my writing questions: Do you find yourself talking to your characters when you’re doing ordinary tasks such as putting on makeup, washing dishes, driving your car?

I don’t actually ever talk to them directly. I’m more of a fly on the wall, watching their every move.

What a picture you paint in my mind, Anne. Without closing my eyes I can see you sitting quietly and observing the realm you imagined! Ever find yourself zoning into the world you have created when you’re supposed to be listening to something else such as church services, friends talking, or during a class of some sort?

All of the time! I actually get annoyed with the real world for interfering or disrupting what is happening in my imaginary world.

Have you ever found yourself growing too fond of a villain? How does this affect your story and how do you deal with the problem; assuming it is a problem for you?

Not a problem so far. But I do have trouble with secondary characters that just walk onto center stage and take over. It’s tough getting them to back off!

Those naughty characters; when you breathe life into them, they go their own way and refuse to mind. I have the same problem.

If you could choose another time in history to live, when would that be?

I’m very happy right where I am, thank you! The idea of going any place where women might not enjoy equal rights or have access to an education and top-notch medical care terrifies me.

That’s a very good point. Perhaps all of us would be better off to just travel vicariously through books.

If you could travel anywhere in the world to research a book, and if someone else pays expenses, where would you pick?

I have three places: Ireland, Newfoundland and Cornwall. All provide stunning landscape that overlooks the ocean. Oh, and I’ll pay my own way! All three are on my bucket list.

How do you celebrate special times: finishing a novel, signing a book contract, or solving a tough plotting problem?

I tend to be pretty low-key when it comes to celebrating any milestone in my life. My philosophy is to enjoy and cherish each and every day rather than focus on one or two days out of the year. Or worse, one day out of an entire lifetime!

However, I was visiting the U.K. when my debut novel was released. A pair of sterling silver earrings caught my eye, and I realized they would be the perfect memento. Neither flashy nor expensive, they fit perfectly into my lifestyle…and my budget!

What a wise woman you are, Anne Albert. It’s been so interesting to meet you. Could you give readers some internet sites where you can be found?

Thank you so much, Jackie, for featuring me today on this stop of the Murder We Write Blog Tour. I’d like to invite readers to visit my website http://www.AnneKAlbert.com/ or my main blog http://anne-k-albert.blogspot.com.

If they drop by my Muriel Reeves Mysteries blog http://muriel-reeves-mysteries.blogspot.com and leave a comment mentioning this interview, I’ll enter their name in a draw to win a pdf copy of FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL. I’ll announce the winner at the conclusion of the tour, sometime during the week of August 22, 2011.

How about that Readers? I’d love for you to leave a comment here, then go directly to Anne’s Muriel Reeves blog site and sign up for a chance to win this great book. May you all have a blessed day.

Hugs,

Jackie