Jackie King & Mystery We Write

It’s week four of the Mystery We Write Blog Tour and my guest is Jackie King.

Jackie loves books, words, and writing tall tales. She especially enjoys murdering the people she dislikes on paper.

She is a full time writer who sometimes teaches writing at Tulsa Community College.

Her latest novel, THE INCONVENIENT CORPSE is a traditional mystery.

Jackie has also written five novellas as co-author of the Foxy Hens Series. Warm Love on Cold Streets is her latest novella and is included in the anthology THE FOXY HENS MEET A ROMANTIC ADVENTURER. Her only nonfiction book is DEVOTED TO COOKING.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, Oklahoma Writers Federation, and Tulsa Night Writers.

You can visit her website, or her CozyMysteries and Other Madness blog. She'd love to have readers ‘friend’ her on Facebook where she's listed as Jacqueline King. Or , if you prefer, email her at: j.king6@cox.net.

Anne - I'm so happy you could drop by, Jackie. Tell us something about yourself that you would normally only share with close friends.

Jackie - For some reason, the people I meet assume that I was born with a silver-spoon in my mouth, or at least with a spoon of some sort. Only close friends (and those who have read the family stories in my one and only nonfiction book, DEVOTED TO COOKING) know that I grew up in near poverty. Don’t feel sorry for me though, my mother was an extraordinary woman and I didn’t realize that we were “poor.” I just thought we didn’t have any money.

Anne – Great take on that, Jackie. Tell us about your most recent release.

Jackie - My full length mystery, THE INCONVENIENT CORPSE, begins with this paragraph:

“Grace Cassidy stared at the stranger’s body. He was about sixty, pot-bellied, naked, and very dead. She knew he was dead because his skin was the color of concrete. Worst of all, he was lying smack dab in the middle of her bed.”

The story in a nutshell:

…No credit cards, no cash, no resources, no job skills. Fleeced and abandoned by her husband, Grace Cassidy learns she is the prime suspect in a bizarre murder.

Free sample chapters are available on Amazon Kindle along with 12 five-star reviews. Kindle price $2.99. Trade paperback published by Deadly Niche Press is $15.95.

Anne - What one how-to-write book is a must on your bookshelf and why?

Jackie - The book that has helped me the most is BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott. Paraphrased, she says that it’s okay to write a really bad first draft, and that in fact, it’s required. This advice gives me the freedom to write without listening to that hateful voice from inside my head that always says, “You can’t even spell, why do you think you could write?”

Anne – Bird by Bird is one of my keepers as well. And you’re being very polite, Jackie. We both know what she calls that first &@#^ draft! Do you belong to any writer’s organizations, critique groups, and/or depend on beta readers?

Jackie - Yes, to all three questions! Writing is a lonely occupation and one in which it usually takes a long time to become successful or recognized. I highly recommend that any writer join at least one writer’s organization, more if you can afford the dues. If you live in an isolated community, join one of the many online groups.

I belong to Sisters-in-Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America (nothing adds zip to a mystery like a love interest), Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. and Tulsa NightWriters.

I have met and made many friends in these groups. A good critique group is extremely helpful and often these contacts can be made through local and online writer’s groups.

I’m blessed to have the best beta readers ever! These three women tell me the truth, and that makes them worth their weight in gold. When they say something works, I sigh with relief. If one of them says something stopped them, I rewrite whatever caused the problem.

Anne - Is there anything else you’d like to mention to my readers?

Jackie - I will draw one name from the readers who leave a comment, and that person will be mailed a free, hardback copy of THE INCONVENIENT CORPSE.

Anne – I love giveaways, especially signed giveaways!

Thanks so much for dropping by today, Jackie. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you. I wish you every success, and hope you’ll return for another visit with the release of your next book.

Happy writing, and of course, happy reading!

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