Meet Albert A. Bell Jr. 
Author of
“Death Goes Dutch,” “All Roads Lead to Murder,” “Kill Her Again,” “Case of the Lonely Grave,” and “Daughter of Lazarus” By Julie Obermiller Albert A. Bell, Jr. has a lot of stories up his sleeve. His works include historical fiction and mysteries, a children's mystery, and has authored historical non-fiction as well. Bell is a Professor of history and chair of the department at Hope College in Holland . He is married to psychologist Bettye Jo Barnes Bell and they have four children. Since his first publication in 1972, he has continued to do what he does best; tell stories! See the review for “Death Goes Dutch” in this issue of Mysterical-E. For more information, go to his website at www.albertbell.com or www.ClaystoneBooks.com
Q. In your heroine's character as a social worker working with adoptees and
parents searching for each other (Death Goes Dutch), you have written great compassion and empathy. Do you know someone personally who has been through the process?
My wife worked for a social services agency for several years. One of her main responsibilities was reuniting adult adoptees and biological parents. That gave me the idea for Sarah's character. All four of my children are adopted.
My two daughters are Korean, so I've also approached the subject from that angle. I'm glad those experiences came through in the novel.
Q. Do you write what you, as a reader, enjoy? What makes your own personal
reading list?
I read mostly historical books -- both fiction and non-fiction -- and I like amateur sleuth mysteries. I resist the term "cozy". I like stories in which someone who is not a police officer or private eye finds him/herself drawn into the investigation of a crime. I'm always looking for a new J. A. Jance book. Other than that, I browse the shelves in a bookstore or library and pick up whatever looks interesting that day.
Q. When writing a story, do you have a beginning, a plot and an end before
you put it down, or does it evolve as you go?
I usually start with a scene, but not always the opening scene. In All Roads Lead to Murder, it was the scene at the end of chapter one. In Kill Her Again, it was a scene near the end. I rarely have a well-developed outline
ahead of time. For me the story is an organic thing that grows and changes as I work on it. Sometimes characters appear whom I did not expect, or a character becomes different than I had intended. In Death Goes Dutch, Geri
Murphy was a total surprise to me, and Ella Dykstra turned out to be a much stronger character than I had originally intended.
Q. What finally made you start writing; at what stage of your life?
I started writing in junior high school and was fortunate to have several teachers in high school and college who encouraged me. I had a piece in my high school literary magazine. I was a very shy kid, and it amazed me to have
something I wrote admired by my peers. I guess I still get that kind of gratification from comments people make about my work.
Q. You have written historical mysteries and used a travel writer as a
protagonist. Knowing that serious fans love serial books with familiar casts
and settings, do you plan to continue with Sarah DeGraaf and the Wooden Shoe
Mystery series as long as fans show interest?
I would like to have three series going: Pliny in ancient Rome , Sarah in west Michigan , and Corie and Michael wherever assignments take them. But I'm realistic. At my age (61) I don't know how many more books I have time to write. I have a job, and writing hasn't provided enough income for me to quit that job. I'm heavily involved in taking care of my grandson (my daughter is divorced and living with us), and my mother-in-law is in a nursing home near us. Life does get in the way of the writing.
Q. Your book fits the cozy niche perfectly. You wrote "The Case of the Lonely
Grave" for the Young Adult audience, an area often neglected. What are your
thoughts on the trend to gratuitous violence, sex and shocking language in
popular writing?
I was pleased -- and amused -- that one reviewer of Death Goes Dutch mentioned that Sarah managed to solve the case without saying anything stronger than "damn." I do worry that our culture is becoming desensitized to violence. If I felt a story required strong language or a shocking scene, I would use it, but I guess I'm not drawn to stories that require such things.
Q. What's a typical writing day like for you? Do you work on several projects
at a time? How hard is it to shift focus from ancient Rome to modern day
Michigan ?
I need big blocks of time and seclusion when I write. I've heard people talk about how they wrote a book while riding the subway back and forth to work. I could never do that. I'm fortunate that, as a college professor, I have an office, not just a cubicle, and I don't have people checking to see what I'm doing at every minute. As long as I'm prepared for classes and get papers graded on time, I can create some blocks of time for myself. I also have the
incentive of my writers' group, which meets every Wednesday evening. I know I have to have 4-5 pages ready to show them each week. It does take me a couple of weeks to shift from a kids' book to a Roman novel or to a modern mystery. When I finish one project, I can tell for the first couple of weeks while I'm working on the next one that I'm still in the voice of the earlier character. That's where rewriting comes in.
Q. Is editing harder than writing the actual novel, as some suggest? How hard
is it to edit, and cut, your own work?
To me editing is more fun than the first draft. When I'm rewriting I get the satisfaction of seeing the rough spots smoothed out and I understand how the whole thing fits together. I don't have a lot of trouble cutting things that
I realize aren't working. My writers' group gives me a lot of help in that regard.
Q. Do you write with "the movie version" in mind or are you content to have
book lovers as your only audience?
I do visualize scenes as I go along. Sometimes I act things out. Realistically, I know my books will never become movies, so I don't think much about that. I don't waste time casting the roles.
Q. What's your opinion of the current mystery/suspense offerings? Do new
writers have a chance to break the ranks of prolific best-selling authors? Do
you think "brand name buyers" are reluctant to "go generic?" Does that make it
tough for new authors?
What makes it tough for new authors is the reluctance of bookstores to put new authors on their shelves. Look at the mystery section in any bookstore. You'll find three copies of every "Cat Who" book that's ever been written. And probably three different editions of every one of Agatha Christie's books. In the minds of the people who run the stores, those books have sold and they'd rather put those "tried and true" authors on their shelves than take a chance on a new author. And unless the publisher has a lot of money to put into a publicity campaign, very few people are going to see a new author's book on the shelves. I think readers would welcome more variety on the shelves, but it's not going to happen.
Q. When a book is finally written, edited and printed, the hard work is just
beginning; don't you agree? Do you have any final cautions or advice for the
hopeful beginner?
Write for the satisfaction of the writing. If you are serious about wanting to sell your book, be prepared to go to conferences and try to create some "buzz." I've hired a publicist. If you can afford to hire somebody to help
you with the publicity, do it!
Meet Deb Baker 
By Julie Obermiller
Deb Baker ( Wisconsin ) grew up in Michigan 's Upper Peninsula . She is a member of Sisters In Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the International Sled Dog Association, where she actively races sled dogs.
Her short stories have appeared in many literary journals, including Passages North and Room of One's Own . Her debut novel, Murder Passes the Buck , won Best of Show in the Authorlink 2003. Look for the review of Murder Passes the Buck in this issue of Mysterical-E, with a chance to win a first edition copy with just an email! Visit her website at http://www.debbakerbooks.com Q. The fact that you grew up in the parts is evident from your colorful setting and characters. Are they based on real people in your life?
I could never make up characters as colorful and unique as the real McCoy. The people in my story exist, but I took a few liberties and mixed-and-matched.
Q. With just a hint of romantic sparks and senior seduction, MPTB is suitable for young adults. With children of your own, is that important to you?
I never thought about it as I was writing. I just tried to capture Michiganders as well as I could. I'm thrilled that it can appeal to different age groups. I'm on tour and several parents have bought it for their kids.
Q. What prompted the word-of-the-day feature in your story? This is one chapter header that won't be glossed over; it's a lot of fun.
There's a lot of me in Gertie (or is it Gertie in me). I look up unfamiliar words all the time. I have a little electronic gadget that pronounces words for me when I can't figure out a pronunciation. Gertie is an explorer and her zest for knowledge keeps her young.
Q. Will Gertie stay teamed with Cora Mae and Kitty in future books?
Of course! They need each other. They're bonded for life. Q. Do you write what you, as a reader, enjoy? What makes your own personal reading list?
I'm a mysteryholic and anything in that genre is open game. I have read all of Ann George, Ed McBain, John Dunning, Harley Jane Kozak, Steve Hamilton, Charlaine Harris. The list is long. Also, I try to keep up with all the new up-and-coming authors. And, of course, I like humor. Janet Evanovich makes me laugh.
Q. When writing a story, do you have a beginning, a plot and an end before you put it down, or does it evolve as you go?
I gave up on outlines long ago because my characters refused to follow direction. It was a losing battle. So every day is a new adventure. Sometimes the cast takes me in unexpected directions. Other times (most times) we have a hard time getting started. I'd give anything to have a plan in place. Oh, well.
Q. What finally made you start writing; at what stage of your life?
I'm a late bloomer in everything I do. I finished my college degree when I was 45 with a major in English. The English department was where I started taking creative writing classes. Sitting in that critique circle, I realized I was old enough to be those kids' mother. But I persisted. After two of my short stories were published, I started my first full-length mystery and I've been hooked ever since. Now I'm a late-blooming, middle-aged new author with two debut series.
Q. Knowing the serious fans love serial books with familiar casts and settings, do you plan to continue with your series and characters as long as fans show interest?
Absolutely! My characters are such a part of me, I want to write about them forever. It takes a lot of time and energy to develop dynamic characters, but once they started growing they popped off the pages. They're my babies.
Q. Your book fits the cozy niche perfectly and will appeal to readers of all ages. What are your thoughts on the trend to gratuitous violence, sex and shocking language in popular writing?
I'm a very diverse reader. I like gritty police procedurals that contain those elements, but only if they are necessary to the plotline and setting. I can't say I've ever read anything with gratuitous sex. Can you direct me to one?
Q. What's a typical writing day like for you?
I stare at the computer (because I have no outline), then I go for a walk to find my muse. If that doesn't work, I drive around. Most of my best ideas come to me when I'm on the road or in the shower. I'm very clean.
Q. Is editing harder than writing the actual novel, as some suggest? How hard is it to edit, and cut, your own work?
I always write short of my goal. My problem is expansion, not cutting. When I first finished Murder Passes the Buck it was 35,000 words long. Imagine my surprise when I found out I was only half-way there. I also write slowly, attempting to make the story as tight as possible. Q. Do you write with "the movie version" in mind or are you content to have book lovers as your only audience?
Um…I hadn't thought of trying to appeal to Hollywood . Great idea. Thanks.
Q. What's your opinion of the current mystery/suspense offerings? Do new writers have a chance to break the ranks of prolific best-selling authors? Do you think "brand name buyers" are reluctant to "go generic?" Does that make it tough for new authors?
I'm still new enough that I think anything is possible. Readers I've talked to, especially those who frequent the independent bookstores, are always looking for new authors. Brand name buyers will always chase the hottest new brand. That could be one of us. I'm not ruling out anything. See how optimistic I am?
Q. When a book is finally written, edited and printed, the hard work is just beginning; don't you agree? Do you have any final cautions or advice for the hopeful beginner?
These days, I spend more time on promotion that I do writing my next mystery. In a few days I begin my trek across the Michigan wilderness in pursuit of mystery lovers. I've worked so hard to see my manuscript in print I have to do whatever it takes to make sure it's read. I'm loving the whole process – the business side and the creative time. When my brain gets tired of one, I switch to the other.
Meet Jess Lourey 
Author of “May Day” By Julie Obermiller Jess Lourey, of Alexandria , Minnesota , teaches English and Sociology full-time. She recently completed June Bug (coming in March 2007), the second title in the Murder-by-Month series, and is hard at work on a third, Knee High by the Fourth of July . When she isn't gardening, reading, or navigating the niceties of small-town life, she spends time with her kids, Zoe and Xander, and their black cat named Zoso. Read the review of Lourey's May Day in this issue of Mysterical-E and find out more at her website: http://www.jesslourey.com/ Q. Do you write what you, as a reader, enjoy? What makes your own personal reading list?
I gravitate toward books with great settings and character development (Tony Hillermann, William Kent Krueger), strong female protagonists (Lorna Landvik, Sue Grafton, Barbara Kingsolver, Margaret Atwood), and humor (Carl Hiaasen, Janet Evanovich). I definitely write what I like to read. Q. When writing a story, do you have a beginning, a plot and an end before you put it down, or does it evolve as you go?
When I write a story, I have a plot kernel, the central mystery, in my head. For May Day, I knew Mira's boyfriend was going to wind up murdered in the library. For June Bug, I knew I was going to spin off the true missing diamond necklace story that took place in Battle Lake , Minnesota , in the 1920s. For Knee High by July, I knew the Chief Wenonga statue was going to be stolen with a bloody scalp left at its base. So, I know what my central force is going to be, and I pull in characters and events based on that. I don't truly know whodunnit until I'm about a quarter of the way writing, though. It takes me that long to get to know my characters and discover which one is capable of murder. Q. What finally made you start writing; at what stage of your life?
I come from a family of readers, so I've always valued writing. I wrote my first poem at age six: Grandpas are full of love
Grandpas are full of tickles
but Grandpas are especially full of pickles. Unfortunately, my poetic skill didn't improve much over the next two decades, so I switched to short stories because I knew I wanted to write but was scared to commit to a novel. When I finally gave myself permission to write a novel (and fail miserably, if it came to that), I was 24. That novel has yet to be published, but I was hooked from there. Q. Knowing the serious fans love serial books with familiar casts and settings, do you plan to continue with your series and characters as long as fans show interest?
Absolutely. I've committed myself to writing twelve installments of the Murder by Month Mysteries. It would be great if fans are still showing interest by April Fools, but I'm afraid I'd be writing anyhow. When I'm at my computer, the story developing on my screen, I feel like I'm in the right place at the right time, and that's addictive.
Q. Your book fits the cozy niche perfectly and will appeal to readers of all ages. What are your thoughts on the trend to gratuitous violence, sex and shocking language in popular writing?
May Day stretched the cozy limits a little with some humorous sex scenes, but overall, my series adheres to the conventions of the genre. Personally, I can't watch horror movies or read novels with graphic violence. It stays with me too long, and if I'm not willing to read it, I'm sure not going to write it. There are plenty other ways to keep your reader interested, and I prefer making my reader laugh over making them cry.
Q. What's a typical writing day like for you?
For me, there is no such thing. An IDEAL writing day means I get the kids and me off to work/school/daycare, work furiously so I don't have anything to take home, pick up my kids and play with them until their bedtime, and then write for two hours or until I have seven pages, whichever comes first. Life often gets in the way of that, however. For instance, today is the first day of classes at the college where I teach, and on the way out the door my son threw up on his new SpiderMan tennis shoes. So now he's napping, I'm taking a sick day, and I'm catching up on my writing. Writing is like a diet, I figure. Keep your goal in your mind, work around setbacks, and don't lose sight of the joy. Q. Is editing harder than writing the actual novel, as some suggest? How hard is it to edit, and cut, your own work?
I love editing. For me, it's like decorating a cake. You've done all the hard work--the research, the plotting, the late nights spent at a computer when you'd rather be watching TV--and now you get to polish it up. Q. Do you write with "the movie version" in mind or are you content to have book lovers as your only audience?
Although it would be great to see my characters on a big screen, I never write with that in mind. I'm a book lover, and I write for other book lovers. Q. What's your opinion of the current mystery/suspense offerings? Do new writers have a chance to break the ranks of prolific best-selling authors? Do you think "brand name buyers" are reluctant to "go generic?" Does that make it tough for new authors?
I think it's always been tough for new authors, but never impossible. The trick is to write a great book and then get yourself out there with library presentations, book signings, and media events. I respect a lot of the current myster/suspense writers, and they were all the new kids on the block at one time. Plus, in my experience, mystery readers are a brave bunch and willing to experiment with new authors.
Q. When a book is finally written, edited and printed, the hard work is just beginning; don't you agree? Do you have any final cautions or advice for the hopeful beginner?
Great point. After May Day came out last February, I had to completely stop writing for three months because promotion took up 20 hours a week (in addition to my full-time job). I don't presume to know the business well enough to offer advice except to say what's worked for me: Write because you love it, and anything else that comes your way is just cake. :) Q. Will the zany senior citizens that made this such a romp be featured characters in the series? Everyone knows folks like them, or they ought to!
Absolutely. One of my goals in writing the series was to create active, entertaining, and intelligent characters over 60. Mrs. Berns in particular, a minor character in May Day , becomes more central later in the series. Q. Are all Mira's suitors destined to die?
Boy, that truly would make her undatable, wouldn't it? Actually, sexual tension is a fantastic fun element in some of my favorite mysteries--Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, the old Moonlighting TV show--and so I created a hot and seemingly invincible love interest for Mira in June Bug. Watch for lots of humorous interplay between the two as the series continues. Q. Your description of eating Frozen Nut Goodies was tantalizing! Are you a foodie at heart?
I love to eat almost as much as I love to cook. Yum! Q. Do you have a special interest in Native American burial grounds and history, or was it just great research for May Day?
Minnesota is a state rich in Native history, and to explore that connection seemed a natural fit when writing a Minnesota mystery series. It also made for great research, a part of writing I really enjoy. |
