Mary Ann and I have never met but she commented on my blog the other day and since we both write for the same publisher, I decided to get to know her. And now you can get to know her too! Here are some burning questions we all wanted to ask.

Part 1: The Writer Questions

1. Tell us about your series published by The Wild Rose Press.

My series is called The Berkshire Mystery Series; Book 1 is Don’t Mess with Me and book 2 is Peril in Pittman. Dabbling in Danger will be book 3 when my editor and I get together for the edits. This series was inspired by my trips to the Berkshires in the summers to visit my grandchildren. Many of the characters were inspired by my Lebanese relatives and many of my friends.

I see these mysteries as puzzles for my readers to solve with the help of the Super Sleuths and in spite of the bumbling sheriff.

2. What genre(s) do you read, and why?

I read cozy mysteries because I like happy endings and also historical mysteries because I enjoy learning about historical figures and their involvement in period mysteries.

3. Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table?

You don’t really want to see my messy desk where I write many of my books. I am definitely not Miss Neatness.

When we have good weather, you can find me with paper and notebook on my screened-in porch where in between scenes, I can watch birds, deer, and even a fox cavort through our condo’s yard.

My most interesting writing experience was when my annoying writing muse woke me up in the middle of the night and insisted I change my villain because he was too nice to be the bad guy. When I reread his scenes, I realized that he was correct. I had made him too likeable and had to spend three days rewriting the villain’s scenes.

The funniest writing experience was when my ever-annoying muse dictated a whole new character to me. I didn’t want to wake my husband, so I grabbed a notebook and wrote out the whole scene in the dark. When I went to read the scene in the morning, it was unintelligible because I had written over another scene in the notebook and couldn’t make out the words.

4. How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP?

I wanted to continue the stories of my characters. There was so much more to know. Would Sadie and the Sheriff get together, or would she and Omar, her fellow refugee from Lebanon, connect because of a shared past?

Would Robin, a widow, find love with Matt? Would Sadie ever come to grips with her brother’s capture by ISIS? Would our ever mysterious and creative actress Lola, survive and find happiness and love?

So many of my characters had more to tell about their lives. I couldn’t just leave their stories unfinished as they were in Peril in Pittman so you will be on the edge of your seat as these characters dabble in danger. We’ll even have a subplot where the Jr. Super Sleuths travel to Florida to help out their friend Mike.

 Spoiler alert: Though I solve some of the romantic triangles, I leave some of them open for your imagination and just in case I decide to write a book four.

5. Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why?

Character, definitely. I usually have individual scenes created for at least 5 separate characters. Then I put these characters into a plot which is dictated by these characters, who often come alive at night or when I’m walking and don’t have a notebook handy.

 6. What 3 words describe you, the writer?

            Passionate, creative, innovative

Part 2: The Personal Questions:

1.Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing!

            I once owned a children’s bookstore and taught Children’s Literature at the local college.

2.If you could relive one day, which one would it be?

            Recently, I fell and broke my ankle. I hate being a klutz , and it is certainly inconvenient when it’s your driving foot. So, I would relive that day with a different outcome.

3.If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it item, what would it be?

            Ice cream

4.What three words describe you, the person?

            Friendly, creative, family-oriented

5.If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any timeline, who would it be, why, and what would you do together?

            Sadie from my Berkshire Mystery Series. She reminds me so much of my favorite aunt. We would probably barbeque in her backyard and then watch the Detroit Red Wings on TV.

6.What do you consider the best song ever written?

            “Moon River” – I love the images of the peaceful river it evokes.

7.Or the worst song ever written?

            A children’s song that is way too repetitive: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

8.Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? (It can be anyone living or dead)

            My sister-in-law – She had such fun in life.

9.What’s your version of a perfect day?

            Playing bridge at our bridge club, going out to dinner, and watching a football game or baseball game on TV which my team actually wins.

Here are Mary Ann’s bio and social media links so you can check out her books.

I am a writer and a writing coach. I have published cozy mysteries with The Wild Rose Press. The Berkshire Mystery Series includes Book 1 Don’t Mess with Me and Book 2 Peril in Pittman. Book 3 Dabbling in Danger will be coming soon. I have published essays in various publications and published many poems online and in print publications.

Email: maryannjacobsauthor@gmail.com

Website: maryannjacobsauthor.wordpress.com

Twitter: maryann68592654

Amazon.com/author/maryann_jacobs-1.2  Amazon Author Page URL

Thanks so much! This is fun to do and read. Pick up a copy of Mary Ann’s books and of course leave her a review. I know you will love them.

What are you reading, writing, or creating this week?