Ask the Author: Janice Detrie
Answered Questions (7)
Janice Detrie
I look at past entries in my notebook. I think about interesting stories that I’ve heard. Sometimes I have fragments of dreams that linger in my thoughts. I look at the parts of my self that I keep hidden deep inside to explore their influence and meaning. I jot down funny things I’ve heard or quirky people I’ve observed. Sandra Tooksbury in my book and Norm, her handyman, were based on the owners of a Bed and Breakfast where I stayed.
I remembered a barn fire from my childhood, the charred wood, the burned remains of the cows, the acrid smell. I read an account of the Peshtgo fire which happened the same day as the Chicago Fire with a much greater loss of life. We had an unseasonably hot, dry October and I had another What If.... Thus an idea for another book.
I remembered a barn fire from my childhood, the charred wood, the burned remains of the cows, the acrid smell. I read an account of the Peshtgo fire which happened the same day as the Chicago Fire with a much greater loss of life. We had an unseasonably hot, dry October and I had another What If.... Thus an idea for another book.
Janice Detrie
My editor encouraged me to write a sequel to my first novel. At first I was hesitant. I wasn’t sure where I would go with it. My husband and I has traveled on a Romantic Rhine Getaway. What if my main character decided to take his new love interest on a similar cruise? Then a scene popped into my head. His wacky elderly landlady, a former Burlesque star, and her temperamental poodle, were trying to get on board the same ship. They were arguing with a crew member that the dog was a service dog. And of course, her hapless handyman appeared to support her argument. I wrote backwards from this, laying out the story beginning leading up to this point. Then I had to think of a mystery that embroiled all these characters. Voila! The diamond heist!
Janice Detrie
I just finished my second book in the Gaston the Poodle Mystery series and I’m working on self publishing it. I still write almost every day in my journal. This time in our country’s history gives me lots to reflect upon,. Sometimes it’s as trivial as my battle with the wrens who are building a nest in my Sunsetter awning. Sometimes it’s addressing my fears for my daughter who lives in NYC. I’d like to finish a juvenile novel I began several years ago on the 1871 Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin. It’s very different from my cozy mysteries.
Janice Detrie
My advice is to read a lot. Try to find a mentor writer, someone whose work you love and who speaks to you deep down inside. You aspire to write like that, even though you aren’t up to that level yet. I had Anne Tyler as my mentor author because I love her quirky characters and her funny incidents. I know I’m no Anne Tyler. I’m not that delusional, even she had to start somewhere.
My second piece of advice is keep writing. I’m in a writer’s group and my colleagues tell me the writing in my sequel is much better than the writing in my first book.
A good writer’s group is a huge support,too. Writing can be lonely so it helps to have an audience that will give you feedback and whose advice you can trust.
My second piece of advice is keep writing. I’m in a writer’s group and my colleagues tell me the writing in my sequel is much better than the writing in my first book.
A good writer’s group is a huge support,too. Writing can be lonely so it helps to have an audience that will give you feedback and whose advice you can trust.
Janice Detrie
I like the feeling I get when the characters I’m writing about seem to take on a life of their own and act in unexpected ways. It’s like I’m watching a motion picture in my mind and I’m recording what I’m seeing. When I go back to reread what I’ve wrote, it’s usually better but than the times I’m struggling just to write something. It’s like doing the choreography of a ballet as opposed to doing jumping jacks.
I also confess I like it when people tell me how much they liked my book and how funny it was.
I also confess I like it when people tell me how much they liked my book and how funny it was.
Janice Detrie
I try to keep writing regularly even if it’s not my best work. You can always fix bad writing but you can’t fix no writing. I have a notebook I write in if I’m really stuck. There’s something about the ink moving across a page that only I will see that shuts up the “critic over my shoulder.” I also have used Natalie Goldberg’s prompts from her book Old Friend from Far Away.
Janice Detrie
I have a Shelter in Place reading list, since it’s no longer summer. I’m currently reading The Water Dancer. I have Educated, The Nickel Boys, The Library Book and Witch Elm on my list.
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