Interview With Author Lucy English

Girl Ghosted

Lucy English is a sociologist, mom, and author. She grew up in the Midwest and has lived on both coasts. An avid Nancy Drew fan as a child, Lucy naturally gravitated toward writing mysteries with a strong female protagonist. She’s discovered that the story world and characters really do exist on some level, and she’s often in the role of “reporter” rather than creator of the stories.  See: http://pennywademysteries.com/.

1. What really inspired you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or experience and conveying it into a book?

This is the third book in my series and it was momentum that compelled me.  My characters truly exist for me now. Their stories come to me to be written.  I got to color this one with my online dating experiences and those of my friends, which I find funny and painful.  I know others will relate to them. This book also deals with the issue of depression, which is something that so many of us face at one time or another. I think it’s important to share experiences and write things that may be helpful to someone or at least help them feel less alone.

2. What is it about and whom do you believe is your targeted reader?

I generally consider women as my target readers, but I have a lot of male fans. Beyond that, my books are of interest to social workers, since that’s my protagonist’s profession, but not at all limited to them. After all, love detective mysteries even when we’re not detectives. My ideal reader isn’t looking to be terrified by a thriller, but enjoys intrigue, humor, and thoughtful reflections about what makes a well-lived life.

3. What do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your book? What should remain with them long after putting it down?
That depends on the reader. I’d like readers who struggle with depression to feel less alone and even consider some of the strategies that Penny suggests to her client as ways to cope.  I’d like online daters to laugh at the situations they recognize from their own experience and enjoy watching someone else’s struggles because it’s funnier when it’s not you!  I want everyone to feel like they’ve had a fun experience in a great city with characters they’d like to meet again.

4. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers?

I have gotten a lot of support from my online critique group, “Inked Voices”, as well as from editors I’ve hired through UpWork. Having other eyes on your writing in incredibly helpful. You won’t take every suggestion from critique partners or editors, but you’ll find a lot of them improve your writing.

5. What trends in the book world do you see and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?
I think independent publishing will continue to explode. Authors get far higher royalties from self-published books and retain creative control. There are lots of sub-industries to assist with editing, cover art, marketing and the like. I love how authors have taken control back from the traditional publishing industry and are getting their work out to readers without the hurdles we had in the past.

6. What great challenges did you have in writing your book?
The hardest part is subjecting my characters to pain. In order to write about Penny’s ordeals, I have to feel what she feels, and that can be really hard. From that place of emotional pain, I then have to write how she reacts, not how I do. In other words, I have to immerse myself in her experience and at the same time separate myself enough to see how her reactions are different from mine.

7. If people can only buy one book this month, why should it be yours?

They should buy it because it’s fun and funny and thoughtful and because it will lead them to other books in my series that they’ll love.

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Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs