Thursday, November 5, 2015

The 5 Best Things About Being a Cozy Mystery Author

Though I've been writing The Christmas River series for three years now, I consider this week to be my one-year "Authorversary." This time last year, I officially put in my two week notice at the newspaper I worked at to be a full-time cozy mystery author. The year since has been like a dream. I wake up every morning and get to create and do what I love all day. It’s not all easy. But on the good days, there’s nothing better than being a cozy mystery author. Here’s what I love about it: 


1. Being able to do lots of “research” for books.


Some writers have to research things like police procedures and crime statistics. And while I occasionally have to do research like that, a lot of mine has to do with baking pie or building gingerbread houses. When I write about Warren, Cinnamon’s grandfather, I also find that I’m doing a lot of research about beer. You know, checking out local breweries and taste-testing the beer to make sure I know what I’m talking about when I’m writing about Warren… a lot of research takes place down at my local brewery ;). When it comes to Dog Mountain, I’ve had to do some, uh, crucial research about puppies to make sure the story was accurate. All this research is definitely one of the perks of writing cozy mysteries!


2. Spending time in a world where things make sense.



While crimes often take place in Christmas River, Broken Hearts Junction, and Dog Mountain just like in the real world, things often have a way of working themselves out for the best in these towns. It’s not all perfect, but overall, the bad guys get caught, the innocent people are exonerated, and the nice girl gets the good guy at the end. Obviously, all the characters still face their own share of struggles and difficulties, but I’d say that the cozy mystery world is slightly more just than the real world. Not to mention the fact that the cozy mystery world is chock full of just that – an abundance of cozy! It’s a place that feels safe and happy. I feel lucky to be able to spend so much time in these kinds of places.


3. Laughing out loud at some of the characters’ antics

Warren, Cinnamon’s grandfather in the Christmas River series, is perhaps the one character that cracks me up the most. I love his beer-brewing antics and the fact that he doesn’t let his ripe old age stop him from doing anything. He’s in his 80s and he’s spent a year living abroad in Scotland, married a much younger Scottish beer brewing beauty, and has opened up his own brewery. He gives new meaning to the term young at heart, and he never fails to put a smile on my face! Additionally, Kara, Cinnamon’s best friend, is someone in my books who always makes me laugh. She’s cutthroat and ruthless, and I mean that in the best possible way. Cinnamon gets plenty of entertainment out of the two of them, and so do I!


4. Feeling moved when you see a character grow.


Much like Cinnamon Peters, I’m generally not sappy, gooey or sentimental. But sometimes, a scene with one of my characters will just get to me. It doesn’t happen often, but every once and a while, a character’s growth will just move me to tears. The scene that’s probably affected me the most in all my books so far is the last chapter in Mayhem in Christmas River, the second book in the Christmas River series, when Cinnamon decides to move forward with her life instead of living in fear of being hurt again. It was such a big moment for her, and I had big fat tears rolling down my cheeks when I finished writing it. Those kinds of moments remind me why I decided to write in the first place.


5. Hearing from readers about how the series has affected them!



This is my number one favorite thing about writing cozy fiction. Hearing about how readers found my books when they were going through a rough patch in their life, and how my stories helped take their minds off their troubles makes me feel like a million bucks. I can’t believe I’m so lucky to be able to put this kind of positivity out into the world on a full-time basis!

Plus, you know, wearing sweats to work every day is a pretty fun perk of this job too... :)

What do you like most about reading cozy mysteries? Comment below to enter in this week’s giveaway – a $10 Amazon gift card and a digital copy of Madness in Christmas River! The winner will be chosen at random and will be announced on my Facebook Friday (Nov. 6) morning, so be sure to check in then!

28 comments:

  1. I love cozy mysteries because they're ...... cozy! No nitty-gritty stuff, just mostly puzzles, smiles & a murder or two...or three... and the settings, the food etc. a definite escape from 'real' life.

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    1. You're so right, Edith. I love that -- mostly puzzles, smiles & a murder or two... or three. Well put! :) Thanks for commenting!

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  2. I love cozy mysteries because they don't contain inappropriate language, graphic violence or explicit sexual situations. They are books I can read around my grandchildren and not worry they will see anything unsuitable. I also love the cozy settings and unique characters.
    peggyhyndman(at)att(dot)net

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    1. Very true, Peggy! I like that about them too -- they're just supposed to be light and fun. Thanks for commenting!

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  3. It is a great form of escape for me, I started reading your series at the beginning of this summer...which is wild because I was dealing with the heat of the summer when things in the books were getting snuggly. it is a perfect way for me to wind down when I am on the train heading into Chicago to go to work. Thanks for the great characters too!

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    1. Thank you, Joan, for reading the books! I'm glad that they were fun for you to read -- even in the middle of summer :). Thank you for leaving a comment!

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    2. Hi Joan -- you are the winner of the giveaway! Congrats! Please let me know what your email address is, and I'll get the winnings to you asap!

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  4. I love cozy mysteries because they are cozy as mentioned by others and not gruesome murder mysteries. But the biggest reason is I love getting caught up in a cozy series with great characters and settings. Also I love the recipes that are sometimes included!

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    1. I love cozy mysteries for all those reasons too! Thanks for leaving a comment, Nikki!

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  6. I have really enjoyed all of your books and always look forward to the next one. The stories and baking are wonderful. I wish I was talented enough to make yummy pies. Keep up your great writing!!

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    1. Thank you so much for reading them! And for leaving a comment here!

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  7. I have enjoyed all of your series and wait for them to come out. Look forward to the next Dog Town in the series and can't wait to hear bout the next Broken Hearts one. Keep them coming.

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    1. Thank you for reading all my books, Melissa! I really appreciate all the support :). And thank you too for leaving a comment!

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  8. I have really enjoyed all the Christmas River series. The mysteries are interesting but it's definitely the characters that keep me coming back

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    1. Thank you, Jan! I'm so glad you've enjoyed them. And thank you for leaving a comment here too!

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  9. I started reading your Christmas River series last year and just fell in love with all the characters. I just finished Magic in Christmas River and can't wait for the next one. I enjoy reading about Cinnamon and her Grampa and their relationship.

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    1. Thank you so much, Katie! That's probably the thing I like most about the series myself -- Cinnamon and old Warren. Thanks for all your support over the years -- I really appreciate it!

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  10. I found in fun to read why you like writing cozy mystery novels. It's nice to hear what inspires authors to write them. I am addicted to reading cozy mystery novels. I like them because they are fun to read, light, not gruesome and are filled with fun characters and engaging storylines.

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    1. I like cozy mysteries for those reasons, too! I like how the characters really take center stage in the stories. Thanks so much for reading my post and for leaving a comment!

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  11. These delightful books epitomize the term "cozy".

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    1. Thank you so much! Thanks for leaving a comment!

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  12. Few things I like better than a good clean murder!

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    1. Me too, Patsy! Thank you for leaving a comment!

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  13. Cozy mysteries that have awesome characters that I wish were my Besties (Cinnamon and Warren), never-see-them-coming twists and turns (like I'm on a roller coaster), and crazy fun (reading about all those different pies, no matter how you slice it, is fun). Your books are amazing!!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Jools! You're so right on all those counts. But your books are the amazing ones!!! Can't wait to get started on our new cozy mystery series!

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  14. The first cozy mystery I read was yours and they have now become my favorite genre. I wanted to name my daughter Cinnamon in 1967, but caved to the people around me who thought no one would ever name a child that. The name in the blurb drew me to the book, but your writing and the other characters kept me coming back. Don't ever stop. A cozy mystery can be like a good friend. Comforting, funny, and not terrifying.

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    1. Thank you so much, Marianne! Ha -- I love that story! I think you were just ahead of your time there with naming your daughter Cinnamon. I'm so glad you've been enjoying my books. Thank you for leaving a comment!

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