Ask the Author: Becky Clark
Answered Questions (7)
Becky Clark
Hi Sheila! Thank you so much for your kind words! It's always fun to hear when readers discover my books.
As for research, that's one of the fun things about writing. I write at the cozy end of the spectrum so I don't have to worry too much about police procedure or forensics, although in my 3rd Crossword Mystery, FATAL SOLUTIONS (Nov 2021), I did get to have a fascinating discussion with a forensic anthropologist. She even gave me some plot ideas and a lot of description. I met her through my local Sisters in Crime chapter when she came to speak to us. Really cool stuff!
Also for the Crossword Mysteries I did a lot of research about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) because Quinn, my main character, has received a recent diagnosis. Lots of case studies and a few live interviews to make sure I got that all correct.
And then, of course, there's smaller stuff that just crops up as I write: diner lingo, dog breeds, agility training, locations, how to attach a drag wig, cars, clothes in the 1970s, driving an RV, funny ways to kill somebody. And that's lots of fun to dive into.
The Mystery Writer's Mysteries stars a mystery writer, as you know, so I already had a lot of that info, but for the Crossword Mysteries I had to teach myself how to construct crosswords. Waaay harder than I expected. But also fun ... when it works, that is!
Thanks for reading!
As for research, that's one of the fun things about writing. I write at the cozy end of the spectrum so I don't have to worry too much about police procedure or forensics, although in my 3rd Crossword Mystery, FATAL SOLUTIONS (Nov 2021), I did get to have a fascinating discussion with a forensic anthropologist. She even gave me some plot ideas and a lot of description. I met her through my local Sisters in Crime chapter when she came to speak to us. Really cool stuff!
Also for the Crossword Mysteries I did a lot of research about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) because Quinn, my main character, has received a recent diagnosis. Lots of case studies and a few live interviews to make sure I got that all correct.
And then, of course, there's smaller stuff that just crops up as I write: diner lingo, dog breeds, agility training, locations, how to attach a drag wig, cars, clothes in the 1970s, driving an RV, funny ways to kill somebody. And that's lots of fun to dive into.
The Mystery Writer's Mysteries stars a mystery writer, as you know, so I already had a lot of that info, but for the Crossword Mysteries I had to teach myself how to construct crosswords. Waaay harder than I expected. But also fun ... when it works, that is!
Thanks for reading!
Becky Clark
Hmm, not sure. My main character in FICTION CAN BE MURDER is a mid-list mystery writer who stumbles into a real-life mystery she has no business trying to solve, concluding that fiction is always easier than real life.
Nope. I'm stumped.
Nope. I'm stumped.
Becky Clark
I never need to get inspired to write. This is my job, my career, my profession. Do surgeons need inspiration to scrub up? Do car salesmen need inspiration to step on the lot? Do engineers need inspiration to dig out their protractor (or whatever engineers use these days to do their job)? No. They do it because it's their job. Just like writing is my job.
Becky Clark
Lots of stuff! The next books to follow FICTION CAN BE MURDER in the "Mystery Writer's Mysteries" series ... some short stories featuring Charlee Russo and the other characters ... plus a new cozy series set in the world of crossword puzzling. Fun, fun, fun!
Becky Clark
Read, read, read. In your genre and in others.
Write, write, write. Practice makes perfect. Every time you flex your writing muscle, it gets stronger and more limber.
And, of course, learn every single thing about the publishing industry, become a savvy marketer, and learn how to independently publish your work too. Oh, and take care of yourself physically. And attend conferences and critique groups. And, and, and ....
Write, write, write. Practice makes perfect. Every time you flex your writing muscle, it gets stronger and more limber.
And, of course, learn every single thing about the publishing industry, become a savvy marketer, and learn how to independently publish your work too. Oh, and take care of yourself physically. And attend conferences and critique groups. And, and, and ....
Becky Clark
So many best things! I love sliding into The Zone while I'm writing, where the world falls away and the perfect words flow with no effort. And then, when I read those words and they remain perfect long after I've tumbled out of The Zone. That's the best too. And when other people read those words (or, really, any of my words), and tell me I've made them laugh or cry or think or otherwise do what I was trying to get them to do. Also the best. And no matter how many times it happens, there's always that thrill, that shiver of joy, that disbelief, when I open a box and see books with my name on them. The best.
Becky Clark
I don't think I've ever had writer's block, in the traditional sense. I have a zillion things I want to write and if I'm not writing, it's because I can't decide what to focus on. So my "writer's block" is usually procrastination.
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