Ask the Author: Isabella Muir
Answered Questions (11)
Isabella Muir
Ah yes! For the last six months we have been travelling Britain in search of a new home. We have been staying on campsites, the perfect setting for all kinds of mysteries...for example, a man pitching a one-man tent on a cold, wet autumn night. Of course, he could be making his way around the coastal paths of Britain, raising money for charity, or he could be on the run ... or he could be exploring a location that holds a mystery to his past...the choice is yours!
Isabella Muir
Hello Lorraine - thanks so much for asking! The good news is that just yesterday I published a brand new short story anthology containing stories about many of the characters in the Janie Juke series - all with a Christmas theme! The anthology is called: 'Twelve at Christmas' - Twelve short stories for the festive season. The Kindle version is available right now and a paperback version will come out in a few days. But rest assured, that more novels will be coming out during 2020 - including the first of a brand new series featuring an Italian detective! Meanwhile - best wishes to you for the season and happy reading!
Isabella Muir
I'd like to experience the world of Thomas Hardy - during the time he wrote Tess and all his other wonderful novels. I'd love the chance to experience nature as it was back then - unspoilt by modern day developments, like cars and roads! Although I would want to avoid the tragedies that seem to befall many of his characters!
Isabella Muir
I'm working my way through a whole host of cozy mysteries, including re-reading lots of Agatha Christie novels - as part of the lead up to her birthday and the first national Cozy Mystery Day on 15th September!
Isabella Muir
Thanks for this question and apologies for the delay in my reply! I am pleased to reveal that I am half-Italian so have made almost annual trips over to Rome and many of the other beautiful Italian cities to visit family and friends. It was fun reliving some of those happy memories when I wrote The Invisible Case - especially that wonderful train journey from Rome to Calais, which features in the opening chapter!
Isabella Muir
'The Invisible Case' starts off with a train journey from Rome to Tamarisk Bay. I am half-Italian and have wonderful memories of making that journey many times as a child. So, in this book I have explored my Italian roots a little more, bringing a couple of Italian visitors to Tamarisk Bay. One of my cousins, who lives in Rome, has helped me with some of the research. It's been a lot of fun to write - let's hope it gives as much pleasure to my readers!
Isabella Muir
I first had my idea for Janie Juke while I was walking my dog along a warm Spanish beach. Since then, I have enjoyed getting to know her and her family and friends. It is the strangest thing, but once you start to write, the characters let you know where they want to go next. It's bizarre, but true.
Isabella Muir
I have just completed the first draft of Book 3 in the Janie Juke series. Entitled, 'The Invisible Case' the story sees Janie dealing with a sudden death. The book will be published in June - so watch this space!
Isabella Muir
Just make a start. Don't be too self-critical. It's so easy to feel that your writing is not good enough, but every author has to start somewhere - I see my writing journey as an apprenticeship. Like any other craft, the more you practise, the better you will be.
Isabella Muir
Freedom! Freedom to create story worlds - characters, settings, plots - there are no constraints.
Isabella Muir
When I started to write fiction in earnest, I discovered that if I made sure I wrote at least a few words every single day, then the ideas just kept on coming. It's the strangest thing, but I find that being faced with a blank page actually inspires me to write!
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