I'm pleased to welcome Allison Pearl to the Diamond Mine this week. Allison writes mysteries (and there are always donuts. Yum!). Read to the end of the blog post to find out how you can enter to win an ebook of Allison's latest release.
Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Allison. We’re grateful to have you this week and look forward to learning more about you. I always like to start with a couple book- and writer-themed would you rather questions.
SW: Would you rather write in a rooftop garden surrounded by city noises — or in a quiet studio with cows as your neighbors?
AP: At this point in my career, I think it depends on what I’m writing. Early on, those of us trying to break into the writing world from nowhere quickly learned the tough lesson of writing anywhere and anytime. You learn to write on your work breaks, between classes, in the car, and basically whenever you find a spare moment in the work/life tempest swirling around us all. I have a little more freedom now. That makes me want reality’s atmosphere to reflect whatever fiction I’m building. If my story’s small-town and country, that’s where I want to be when I’m writing it. If it has skyscrapers in it, I want to see skyscrapers.
SW: Hey, I'll take any excuse for a research trip. :)
Would you rather read a book with no page numbers or no chapter numbers?
AP: Hmmm… never thought about this one. I suppose I would want the page numbers because that would make it easier to remember my place. I have cats that like to knock books and stuff off tables which usually means my floor has a lot of books sans their designated bookmarks. I try to remember page numbers when I take a break so I’m not digging through the pages trying to find where I left off.
SW: Alright, that’s enough of those. Tell us a little about you—family, hobbies, day job, or whatever you’d like to share that’s not in your bio.
AP: I’m pretty boring in general, spending most of my time hanging out with my husband and cats. Beyond reading and writing, I do love swimming. I’m at my local pool about 3 or so times a week to swim laps. It’s really the only form of exercise I don’t have to grit my teeth through. It’s quiet and cool and the weightless feeling of the water is super relaxing and cheaper than therapy. When I’m not writing, I work part time at my church. It’s a rewarding place to serve and it keeps me from sinking into the recluse kind of writing life lol.
SW: I enjoy swimming too. I love how once you're in the pool, you can block out the rest of the world and relax (even while you are working out).
What are three books on your current tbr?
AP: There’s a new Cormoran Strike book coming out this month that I want to read, but other than that, I haven’t looked around enough to have a good list. That tends to happen when I’m pretty involved in working on something of my own. The work makes it hard to spend the time really digging into what excites me. But I’m totally open to suggestions, you all have any!!
SW: What does your writing space look like?
AP; Currently, I’ve carved myself out a little space in the dining room of our newish (moved in last year) house. It’s probably not my permanent place, but my simple little desk by the window works for now. I’ve got my favorite reference books, my two monitors, and a swivel chair. I’m good.
SW: Would you share with us a little about your road to publication?
AP: I think on some level, I always knew I wanted to be a writer, but at a very young age I got it in my head that it would be too hard. That it just wasn’t a possibility for someone like me. I mean, I’m no one from nowhere. I accepted that lie for a very long time. For some reason, after college—where I didn’t study writing—I started writing down the stuff in my head and it turned into a couple manuscripts that I assumed would just go in a drawer. Eventually, I saw the fear-driven stupidity in that and started researching how to get into the field. During that research, I found Anaiah Press, looked at the kind of fiction they published, and buckled down to write them something. I submitted ‘Glazed Suspicion’ and, to my surprise, they signed me. That’s where publication started for me, but I know I am still only at the beginning of my career. I still have a lot to learn and a lot of work to do.
SW: That imposter syndrome sure can paralyze us sometimes, can't it? I'm glad you didn't believe it and reached out to Anaiah Press.
What drew you to writing mysteries?
AP: Because mysteries are a large chunk of what I read. What I watch as well, come to think of it. I read tons of other genres for sure, but there is always a mystery/thriller on my nightstand that I’m working through. And I think on some basic level, all of us writers, are trying to craft the book we would want to read.
SW: Tell us more about your latest release.
AP: My latest release is the third book in my ‘Love and Danger in St. Claire’ series. ‘Sprinkled with Sabotage’ follows a spunky blond lawyer, Lizzy, and her mechanic ex-boyfriend, Koby. It was a really fun one. And while these books are part of a series, I try my best to make them work as stand-alone stories as well. So, if you want to jump in, don’t worry about starting at the beginning.
SW: What are you currently working on?
AP: I’m currently working the fourth book in the St. Claire series. I’m really excited about it. A lot of new locations and characters are being introduced that I hope my readers will be into. Don’t worry though, there are still (and always will be) doughnuts in them.
SW: How can we pray for you?
AP: I think being a writer and someone of faith is an important calling. And in our constantly changing world and culture, it’s more important than ever to write stories that are true and relevant. That are Christ-like without ringing false or unrealistic. Books that aren’t sermons, but rather someone’s story. Prayers that God would foster and shape those stories are always appreciated!
SW: Those are excellent prayers for all of us authors.
Thank you for taking the time to visit with us this week, Allison. We wish you the best in your writing career.
About Sprinkled with Sabotage
Lizzy Bennet loves life as a lawyer in the city. And not just because of the miles it puts between her and her ex. However, when she’s attacked on the street just hours after learning her identity was stolen, she tries to call home for help and ends up with the last person she expects: the very same high school boyfriend who broke her heart. He says he’s there to help, but she’s not so sure, and now, all the endless questions and regrets are clouding her judgment and preventing her from seeing the dangerous saboteur closing in.
Small-town auto mechanic, Koby Knightly, is looking forward to seeing a car show in the city. But when an unexpected call from his old girlfriend disconnects suddenly, he rushes to her aid. Throwing his plans out the window, Koby makes it his mission to protect her and discover the identity of the person trying to frame her. Will he also be able to figure out what went wrong between them back in high school or will a killer get to her first?
Purchase at Amazon
Allison is offering one of our blog visitors a Kindle copy of Sprinkled with Sabotage. To enter, leave a comment telling us what your favorite type of donut is and a way to contact you if you win. Giveaway ends Tuesday, 8/23/22 at 11:59 PM EST.
1 comment:
Excellent interview Allison ! And questions asked!!
Glazed donut is my favorite!
Grandmachar422@yahoo.com
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