Cozy Mystery Author Bernadette Steele talks about The Poetry of Murder

We welcome debut mystery author, Bernadette Steele. Bernadette’s novel, The Poetry of Murder, was recently released by Oak Tree Press. We’ll talk about this release—which is the first in a series of books staring protagonist Geneva Anderson—and maybe Bernadette will share the scoop on the next one.

Q: Welcome Bernadette. It’s great to have you with us. Before we talk about the book, let’s find out more about you. How long have you been writing? Who or what are your inspirations?
A: I started writing when I was in college. I took a creative writing course, and I wrote some short stories for the class. After college, I didn’t do any writing. Instead, I spent fifteen years, reading books about writing and publishing, but I did not write. I collected story ideas, articles and pieces of information that inspired various story ideas.

In 2004, I thought that I wanted to go to law school. But, law school didn’t work out. So, I decided to do something that I have always wanted to do—write a novel.  Therefore, in January 2005, I started writing my novel and committed myself to becoming a published author.

I have been influenced the most by the works of Agatha Christie and Walter Mosley. Ms. Christie’s books provide an example of what a good mystery featuring an amateur sleuth should be like. Mr. Mosley’s clear and concise prose inspires me to reach his level.

I have also been extremely inspired by John Steinbeck’s, Journal of a Novel. Steinbeck kept a journal when he wrote East of Eden. In his journal, he describes his own anxiety and self doubt about his writing and career. It makes me feel good to know that someone like Steinbeck felt the same way that I feel.

Q: What’s your writing schedule like? Are you more productive at a certain time of day than at others?
A: I write every day whether I am thinking about story ideas, scenes or actually writing something on the page. I am more productive during the daytime between 7:00am and 4:00pm.

Q: Do you use outlines to plot out your stories or to bring your characters to life?
A: Yes, I write a detailed outline. It describes the book from beginning to end, and it is written chapter-by-chapter and scene-by-scene. It includes information about the setting, time of day, and how each scene should begin. I may and usually do change things while I am writing but having the outline gives me a road map and lets me know where I am going. I believe that an outline is a needed tool when you are writing a murder mystery because it helps you to keep track of suspects, clues and events.