Riley Adams
Like her characters, Elizabeth Spann Craig’s roots are in a small, Southern town. She grew up in
Her magazine articles have appeared in both
She’s the mother of two and currently lives in Matthews,
Interview
(Courtesy of "Desperately Searching for my Inner Mary Poppins": http://mbsmith090801.blogspot.com/
The biggest challenge with writing is always time. I’m a stay at home mom, but chores, cooking, and errands compete for my time. Editing is worst when I know I’m going to have to rewrite an entire plotline because the timing is off (happens every book.) Getting published---the challenge was getting out of the slush pile. I think I’ve had some freakishly good luck.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve written since I was little. I was a journalist for a short while, then I tried my hand at novels in 2002.
Have you always written mysteries?
I love reading mysteries, so they’re easiest for me to write. I’ve tried writing chick-lit, YA, and children’s books, but the genres don’t seem good fits for me. I might try again later.
What authors inspire you?
M.C. Beaton, J.K. Rowling, Deborah Crombie, Elizabeth George
Who is your favorite character in this book? Least favorite?
I love Myrtle. Her good traits belong to my grandmother and father and her bad traits are mine. I can’t stand Erma Sherman. And she’s based on a real life person. :)
I see this is a series…are we thinking like an Hercule Poirot type of series, or more of a Ms. Marple thing?
Oh, gosh, if only I could rank in comparison to Christie! Hmm. Maybe a combination of Marple and Poirot. Or maybe early Miss Marple when she was a little more abrasive (remember how she changed in the series?)
What is the biggest piece of advice you can give to all us aspiring novelists out here?
Write a little every day….set small, attainable goals. Learn to write in pediatric waiting rooms, while Spongebob plays in the background, and at swimming pools. We moms have to grab our moments! There’s no time like the present.
And the most important question! Who designed that rockin' book cover of yours!
Can you believe I don’t even know? All the emails I received about it said ‘the Midnight Ink art department.’ They’re really well-known for their covers, though: check out their site at http://www.midnightinkbooks.com/index.php for more awesome covers.
I enjoyed Pretty is as Pretty Dies so much thatI asked author Elizabeth Spann Craig if she had time for a short interview. I hope you enjoy "meeting" her, as I did.
Lesa - Elizabeth, I just finished Pretty is as Pretty Dies, but I know it wasn’t your first mystery. Would you introduce yourself to my readers, please?
Elizabeth - Sure, I’m happy to. I’m Elizabeth Spann Craig, author of the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink books. I’m currently writing the Memphis Barbeque mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime (as Riley Adams, for them.)
Lesa - Would you tell us about Myrtle, and her two mysteries, particularly Pretty is as Pretty Dies?
Elizabeth - Myrtle is a feisty octogenarian who has bored of bridge,
bingo, garden clubs, and other acceptable pursuits for elderly ladies.
She’s ready to take on crime-fighting and prove to her police chief son
that she’s still sharp and not ready for Greener Pastures Retirement
Community yet.Lesa - How did you ever create Myrtle and Red?
Elizabeth - Myrtle is based primarily on my own grandmother, Mary Ligon Spann, but she also shares traits with my dad…and with me. Myrtle’s good qualities are from my grandmother and father and her bad qualities are mine. Her son, Red, is the embodiment of everyone who ever told my grandmother she couldn’t do something or underestimated her in any way.
Lesa - I know you’re starting another mystery series. Would you tell us about the first book in that series, and the characters?
Elizabeth - The first book in the Memphis Barbeque series is coming out next Memorial Day, just in time for the barbequing season. Lulu Taylor owns a renowned barbeque restaurant right in the heart of Memphis. Her restaurant even attracts the attention of a Food Network scout, looking for the best barbeque in Memphis. When the scout dies mysteriously, Lulu jumps into action to protect her family who have become suspects.
Lesa - You’re doing a fun blog with some other authors, www.mysteryloverskichen.com. Would you tell us about the blog?
Elizabeth - Absolutely. We’re a group of cozy mystery writers who all write food series for Berkley Prime Crime. We’re having a lot of fun sharing mouth-watering recipes and getting to know our readers. Come visit us!
Lesa - Would you tell us what you’re working on now?
Elizabeth - I’ve got my hands full right now and, as a stay at home mom, I’m trying to balance it all (school is still out for the summer here until August 25.) I’m promoting Pretty is as Pretty Dies, revising the first book for the Memphis BBQ series (my deadline is September 1), and polishing up the next book in the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink.
Lesa - Elizabeth, I know you’re blogging with some other authors who write mysteries involving cooking. But, you’ve been reading mysteries for a long time. What authors inspired you?
Elizabeth - I’m a huge mystery nut. I started out with Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden, then graduated to Agatha Christie books. Now I’m inspired by Deborah Crombie, Elizabeth George, M.C. Beaton, Ruth Rendell, P.D. James, Anne George, and many more. These women inspire me to be a better writer.
Lesa - Before my last question, is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
Elizabeth - This is a shout-out to the aspiring writers out there—there’s no time like the present to start your manuscript. If you set small, attainable goals, you can do it. My personal blog is directed mainly to writers: http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com.
Lesa - Thank you for taking time to answer some questions. I always end with a
question that I think you’ll like. I’m a public librarian. Do you have a story
about libraries or librarians that you can share?
Elizabeth - You’re going to have to edit my answer for space! I love libraries. I grew up going to the library with my father many times a week (he’s an English teacher.) We’d spend hours there reading books , magazines, and newspapers and the librarians became almost like family to me. When I had children of my own, the first social thing they did when they were babies was a weekly visit to the library’s story time. I’m usually at the library at least twice a week now. Sometimes I go there to write if life gets too distracting at home (you know…you hear the laundry buzzer go off, the dishwasher finishes its cycle, etc.) I’ll wistfully look at the library shelves and wish that I had more time to read the tempting books there. So when people ask me about my book, I refer them to the library. And, usually, they go there. They’ll check out my book and see if they like it. If they do, they recommend it to friends and buy a copy. Libraries are still my best friends.
Thanks so much again for letting me visit here today!
Lesa - And, thanks for taking the time to visit, Elizabeth! I've enjoyed having the chance to ask you a few questions.
Pretty is as Pretty Dies by Elizabeth Spann Craig. Midnight Ink, ©2009. ISBN 9780738714806 (paperback), 216p.
(2009) Pretty Is As Pretty Dies
Myrtle
Clover, an 80-something retired English teacher, is unhappy with her
son Red, the police chief in Bradley NC, when he signs her up as a
church volunteer. He’s trying to keep her occupied and out of his hair.
But if he thinks volunteering is going to keep his mother out of his
police investigations, he’s got another think coming. In fact, on her
first venture into the church, she discovers the body of Parke
Stockard, beaned with a collection plate. This is just what Myrtle has
been waiting for: an opportunity to show Red and everyone else in
Bradley that she’s not ready to be put on the shelf just because she’s
old.
One
of the hallmarks of classic cozy mysteries is a victim who is little
known or especially obnoxious … and in Parke Stockard, Ms. Craig has
created a truly splendid victim. Absolutely no one liked her. That
means Myrtle has a lot of suspects to choose from … so many that she
decides she must enlist her very own Dr. Watson to do some of the grunt
work of investigation. She opts for a new neighbor, a handsome older
gentleman (although at least a decade younger than Myrtle) whom all the
ladies in town are openly flirting with.
Although
I love older women as protagonists, I hate stereotypes. Myrtle is
certainly NOT a stereotypical little, old lady. She’s more Agatha
Raisin than Jane Marple … a curmudgeon who doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
And she recognizes the benefits of being an older woman and is not
above playing the “old lady card” to get her way. She’s oblivious to
the rolling eyes she leaves in her wake. What a great leading lady!
Pretty Is As Pretty Dies is a wonderful cozy mystery: solidly written, well plotted and funny. Long live Myrtle Clover!
