INTERVIEW WITH ALYSSA MAXWELL:
By Pamela James
MM2: Alyssa, let start by giving us some backstory on you as
an author. How, when where and why did you become an author?
I’m sure you hear this a lot, but I’ve been writing stories
since I first learned how to put words together on paper. And I’ve also always
been a pretty avid reader. I always knew I wanted a career in some kind of
writing, but I thought I’d go more practical, like editing. Right out of
college, I worked as an assistant editor for a reference book publisher. Then, when
a friend of mine first became published, it struck a resounding chord in me.
Until then I’d idolized my favorite authors, but now I realized writers were
just people – like me – with vivid imaginations and the desire to tell stories.
I began writing historical romance first and was published in that genre for
several years, but the switch to historical mystery was absolutely the right
move. I was always a bit too “plotty” for the romance genre where the focus is
much more on emotions, but now I can plot to my heart’s content. Mysteries are
like a puzzle (and I’m a puzzle person – Sudoku, word search, mazes, jigsaw,
etc.). I first have to make all the pieces and put them together, and then
disassemble them and mix them up so the reader can try to solve whodunit. I adore
the process, and I’ll admit that being able to “kill” off certain character
types can be cathartic!
MM2: Where is your favorite place to write?
Nowhere particularly exciting, really. I have a desk at home
where I do the majority of my writing. Sometimes in the cooler months (I live
in Florida) I’ll take my laptop out onto our screened-in porch. I like quiet
when I write, and an empty house, which, now that our daughters are grown, is
attainable every day. I’m not that author who can sit at Starbucks all day
inhaling coffee and writing in the midst of controlled chaos. I’d be too
distracted.
MM2: Take us thru and typical writing day?
On the surface, my day is pretty boring. Beneath the
surface, of course, inside my head, is where all the exciting things happen –
like murder and danger and yes, a little romance. On my best days, I’ll read
while having my morning coffee on the porch, and then get on the exercise bike
for twenty minutes or so or do a little yoga. That way I’ve energized both my
body and my mind, and I tend to be at my most creative and focused. But
nobody’s perfect, and I don’t always stick to that routine. Emails and social
media can sometimes keep me busy for the better part of the morning, and I’ll
find myself working late into the afternoon. That’s ok, though. With two series
now and two books due each year (The Gilded Newport Mysteries and A Lady and
Lady’s Maid Mysteries), I have no choice but to make time to write every day.
Except for extenuating circumstances, I do not believe in missing a deadline.
MM2: Let's talk about your latest book?
In MURDER AT BEECHWOOD, my sleuth, Emma Cross, is dealing
with crises on several levels. First, a baby is abandoned on her doorstep, and
may be connected with a carriage driver found shot not far from her home. Her
attempts to discover the child’s identity lead her to the season-opening gala
at Mrs. Caroline Astor’s house, Beechwood, where Emma tries to learn if any
wealthy young miss might recently have given birth. When one of Mrs. Astor’s
guests falls overboard in a yacht race, the police cry foul play and the man Emma
is falling in love with becomes the main suspect. Meanwhile, it becomes more
and more apparent that the child is somehow connected to these events, and it
falls to Emma to unravel the secrets of two formidable families in order to
find both the mother and the culprit.
MM2: What comes first the plot, setting or characters?
Characters!!! I might start with a basic premise first, such
as who is murdered and who the prime suspect will be, but I cannot – absolutely
CANNOT – begin to plot until I’ve fleshed out my characters. Knowing who they
are will supply me with motives, opportunities, and capabilities. I need to
know them to know how they will behave in any given situation, and that, in
turn, guides my plot.
MM2: Do you rewrite your books? In other word how do you set
up your books? With outlines, main plot etc..?
After establishing my characters, I begin outlining. I’ll
make a list of events leading up to the murder, then a step by step framework
for the investigation, and finally the climax and resolution. Usually, this all
involves pen and paper and setting up visuals on my dry erase boards. Something
about diagramming things out this way helps me visualize the plot and piece it
together. Then, I sit down and write the synopsis. I would never just start
writing the book. My synopsis serves as a roadmap so that I don’t confuse
myself in the course of writing (I’m easily confused!), and also helps me keep
me on schedule. I never have to sit down and say, “Well, what next?” I also
edit as I go, so I’m constantly making changes and tweaks. By the time I’ve
finished the first draft, it’s pretty complete, but I still make a couple more
passes through before turning it in to my editor.
MM2: What was the best writing advice you ever received?
It’s ok for the first draft to suck! You can fix bad
writing. You can’t fix a blank screen. So just write, and worry about polishing
and perfecting later.
MM2: What would you like us to know about where you live?
Interesting question. Where I live is nothing like the
places I write about. I live in South Florida where everything is relatively
new and flat and hot. Don’t get me wrong – I love living in Florida. We have a
wonderful year-round lifestyle of being able to go places and be outdoors, and
my husband and I have learned to find the natural beauty of our subtropical
state. Florida has some spectacular wetlands teeming with exotic birds, butterflies,
and don’t forget the alligators! One of my most moving experiences was visiting
a Civil War section of the Old City Cemetery in Tallahassee, and St. Augustine
presents fascinating examples of Spanish colonialism, so we have our share of
history as well. But when I sit down to write, I have to transport myself to
the briny cliffs of Newport or the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, very
different environments from where I live.
MM2: After reading one of your books. What do you want the
reader to walk away with?
With my Newport books, I want readers to feel like the doors
of the mansions have been flung open to welcome them inside, and that they’ve
gotten to know the owners a bit, as well as experiencing a little of what life
was like in Newport – and how it still is in some ways. There is something so
special and enduring in Newport, so that not a lot changes as time passes. For
me, what I loved about Newport the first time I visited over thirty years ago
is still what I love about it today.
I also want readers to feel like they’ve experienced the
adventures, the challenges, the danger, and the ultimate sense of triumph along
with the characters, and that goes for both series. In A Lady and Lady’s Maid Mysteries, I want readers to experience the
swiftly changing times of post WWI England, where the old traditions – many of
which upheld the unfairness of restrictive social classes – were giving way to
forward thinking, more personal freedom for all individuals, and newfound
liberties and possibilities for women. I feel so passionate about the positive
changes brought about by the war, while at the same time understanding the
sorrow of losing nearly an entire generation of men, and even sympathizing with
the traditionalists who didn’t understand what was happening to their world and
were unable to change with the times. Through it all, my dual heroines remain
intrepid and devoted to one another, and I want to the reader to share in a
friendship that couldn’t have existed in an earlier time in Britain’s history.
MM2: Do you reread your favorite books?
Rarely, since there are fabulous books being released all
the time, and as I meet authors I always want to read their books. Every few
years I do reread all of Jane Austin’s books, and the Harry Potters.
MM2: Is there an up and coming author you would like to
endorse? Maybe even have us interview?
Nancy Herriman is definitely an author to watch. Her debut
historical mystery, NO COMFORT FOR THE LOST, received a starred review in
Library Journal. She’s got a beautiful writing style and is a very talented
mystery author. Also, I belong to a group of historical mystery authors called
Sleuths In Time – maybe you’ve seen us on Facebook or Twitter. If not, please
check us out at
facebook.com/sleuthsintime. I’m absolutely honored to be part
of this talented group. They are Tessa Arlen, Susanna Calkins, Anna Lee Huber,
D.E. Ireland, Anna Loan-Wilsey, Christine Trent, and Ashley Weaver.
MM2: How much attention do you pay to reviews?
I try to pay very little attention to them these days. I
used to check pretty regularly, but I’ve learned that good or bad, reviews are
only one person’s opinion and shouldn’t be taken too much to heart. What I do
pay attention to are the emails I receive from readers. Some of their observations
and questions have been invaluable in helping me figure out what’s working and
what needs tweaking in my writing. I’ve also gotten some fabulous information
and made enduring connections and friendships through correspondence with
Newporters who knew my husband’s family.
MM2: What would you like to say to your readers?
First, I would like to thank all the readers who have
emailed me over the past year and a half or contacted me via social media.
Hearing from readers means the world to me, especially when they’re writing to
tell me about their own connections to Newport and how my Gilded Newport
Mysteries mean something special to them. The support I’ve been shown for these
books has become my number one motivating factor, and it’s so important to me
to do my best work and never let readers down.
MM2: Okay for some fun questions. What is your favorite
meal, place to vacation, dessert, song, and movie/s?
Meal: Lasagna. I make it every Christmas. It’s the ultimate
comfort good. But if we’re going healthy, Dijon salmon and a nice salad.
Vacation: Newport! And New York City! Although my husband
and I love to travel. As long as we’re somewhere with a sense of history and
beautiful scenery we’re happy. Also, good restaurants are a must.
Dessert: My husband’s grilled plantains! He cuts the
plantains (ones that look like very overripe bananas) lengthwise, leaving the
skin on, coats both sides with olive oil, sprinkles the sliced sides with
cinnamon, and grills them until they’re soft and sweet. Add a scoop of vanilla
ice cream, and you’ve got a heavenly dessert!
Song: Do I even have a favorite song? Oh wait, I do.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow & It’s a Wonderful World, the version by Israel
Kamakawiwo'ole. It’s the happiest song ever. The Ray Charles versions are
great, too.
Movies: Gone with the Wind; Dr. Shivago; All three Lord of
the Rings movies; Most of the Star Trek movies (including the new ones); Pride
and Prejudice (the BBC version); Shakespeare in Love – to name a few.
MM2: Lastly what would your characters tell us about you?
That despite my best laid plans, sometimes they know better
and luckily I’m smart enough to listen to them and let them do things their
way.
Now for the
GIVEAWAY!!!
So leave a comment with an email address and we will select a winner on September 3, 2015!
Good Luck!
