Welcome to Patterings, Alice!
Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
It happened when my husband (now ex) said I needed to stop filling all our notebooks with partial manuscripts and finish something, or decide to be serious about writing and learn how to do it properly. That’s when I started getting Writer’s Digest Magazine and compiling info to write and submit.
Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?
I love all my books – each of them are just a bit different, with the Bouncing Grandma Mystery series, which are cozies (The Case of the Bouncing Grandma, The Case of the Mystified M.D.), TOTALLY different from my serious mystery/romantic suspense that I usually write (Mirrored Image, which releases Oct. 1)
Glory Harper, the “Grandma” in the Bouncing Grandma books, is a total nut, and I can’t help but love her and the other characters. But Cassandra Chase and Detective Jeff McMichaels from Mirrored Image have been living so long in my imagination that they have become a part of me in a way only another writer could understand.
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Not wasting time – but that’s my major obstacle whether I’m writing or not. As for overcoming it . . . I guess I’m a work in progress. ;)
Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
Um . . . Lynette Sandler. I wouldn’t say she “interested me most,” but she was certainly intriguing. Lynette dies at the beginning of the book, but without her murder--and the subsequent discoveries made as the book progresses, you’d definitely lose a lot.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? Or what is your strangest habit?
Became a writer. I think that’s pretty quirky.
I have a touch of OCD, so I have a routine I go through every day before I can start writing—checking email, playing a few games of Spider Solitaire while it downloads, and such. I’m trying to break the “need” for this, but without a lot of success so far.
Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
Um, yep, there are. Sometimes my OCD comes in handy.
What would a perfect day for you look like?
A day I could spend with my family—husband, kids, grandkids—without having to think about going back home and resuming the same old same old.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Mystery, suspense, thriller, historical, time travel (this fascinates me). But if the book is good, it doesn’t make any difference what genre it is!
Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
Nope. If the words are flowing, I don’t even want to take a break to eat!
Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
The necessity of forgiveness crops up a lot in my writing, as does the power of good over evil—though it sometimes seems like evil triumphs for a while, there is always hope and faith. I don’t know that I deliberately put these in my books, but I know they’re in them.
What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
As I said earlier, I’m a work in progress, so I feel I’m constantly learning. Mostly, though, it’s that I need to listen more to Him and not think I can do “it” on my own. I KNOW this already, but sometimes He has to shake me to get my attention.
When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
Mirrored Image officially releases Oct.1st. It’s a mystery/romantic suspense, with the most awesome cover!
Thanks so much for having me here today! If you’re interested in finding out more about me, go to www.akawriter.com or www.sheafhouse.com. My books can be ordered at any bookstore and online at www.amazon.com, www.christianbook.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and most online book sellers.
You can purchase Mirrored Image from CBD, Barnes and Noble and Amazon:
Alice Arenz is giving away a copy of Mirrored Image. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, November 8th and check back on Tuesday, November 9th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with Alice. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.
Great interview! I'd love to read Mirrored Image!
ReplyDeletethanks for the opportunityt to read this fabulous novel :)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I loved The Case of the Mystified M.D. and look forward to reading more of Alice's books.
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com
This one sounds GOOD :D. Enter me!
ReplyDeleteVery enlightening and beneficial to someone whose been out of the circuit for a long time.
ReplyDelete- Kris
I would truly like to read this book, and it would be a real thrill if I won it:)
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