Interview With Author Michelle Dutch

 

 

 

1. What inspired you to write this book?

While working on my first book Mary McKenzie I started to think about the next events in the lives of my characters.  Broken Dolls came about as I had been reading a lot of stories and information on the Hopi tribe and the idea of the use of Katsina’s in Hopi culture to teach their children about their traditions.  The serial killer is of mixed blood and the storyline fell into place as I began to work on it even while finishing my first book. 

 

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for?

Broken Dolls is the second installment in the Mary McKenzie murder series focusing on the steamy relationship between Mary and Special Agent Matthew Michael Gryffin. The lovers are separated quickly as Gryffin is called to the Hopi Reservation in Arizona to consult on a prolific serial killer known as the Skinwalker, operating on the Hopi and Navajo reservations. This is a book for lovers of thriller, suspense books who can’t wait to turn the page.

 

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?

Along with the exciting storyline and characters you root for, I hope they enjoy the new knowledge of the strength and courage of the Hopi Nation which has never signed a treaty with the United States. I hope Broken Dolls will encourage people to visit the beauty of the desert and the indigenous tribes there.

 

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?

The cover for Broken Dolls came to me in a dream. When you understand the relationship Hopi children have with the Katsina dolls made by parents and other relatives to help teach children about their heritage and verbal tribal traditions and stories you begin to understand how recognizable the dolls are.  The cover was done after a dream I had about one of the murders that happens in the book.  The original art was done in grease pencil. 

 

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!?

I believe you have to write what you have experienced and what is true for you. No matter what genre you are writing in your authenticity and genuine feelings about your characters will come through your work.  You need to write from your heart.  Any disingenuous writing will show, and readers will respond in kind.

 

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? 

 Well clearly e-books and audible books are a clear part of life, yet there is still a huge market for people to have books that they hold in their hands. Market research in the United States shows an uptick of E-books and paperbacks. In the European market it still heavy into hardback and paperback books. The word trend is just that.  It can change tomorrow because it is a trend. Personally, I like holding a book.

 

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? 

 I traveled in ministry to the jungles of southern Mexico, Kenya in Africa, India, China, Australia, and New Zealand. I’ve explored my Scottish heritage in Scotland and other parts of the UK.  I believe traveling the world gives you a different view of people and their characters being able to separate emotions from traditions and cultural heritages. I appreciate the past as much as the present. My characters reflect different cultures and lifestyles. All are dedicated, honest, hard-working individuals with a clear set of morals and boundaries.  Of course, the exception to the rule is my serial killers…

 

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?

 I am clean and efficient when writing murder mystery or thriller.  More elaborate when writing romance novels. My poetry has a particular point of view, feminism, matriarchal focus, unconditional love, appreciating people where they are.  These ideas come clearly through my work with a huge amount of humor and self-effacing characters.

It's a bit eclectic. Probably Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, Tony Hillerman, with a touch of Diana Mott Davidson and Lillian Jackson Braun.

 

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?

Research on the book was critical.  There is only one Hopi – English dictionary and it resides at a university in New Mexico.  It can only be viewed online in two-hour segments, and it is Hopi – English.  There is no English – Hopi version. Language is cultural and not as specific as it speaks more in word picture thought patterns if that makes sense. I also stay current on practices and procedures of FBI profilers and their relationship with indigenous peoples on reservations in the US.  

 

Names were also a challenge, so I read Hopi/Navajo newspapers and minutes of meetings for Tribal elders and Community meetings.  I watched hours of U-tube videos on dance, heritage, customs and the most recent articles on the change in Hopi traditions to share their origin story.

 

The Hopi Nation has only recently established their own police force.  Before it was either Navajo Nation police or FBI.

 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?

I love to share and tell stories. I love to entertain people.  My books are visual and entreating to the mind.  They are escapism and intense.  I love cliff hangers and at the end of every book here is one.  I believe Broken Dolls is a “can’t put it down,” “don’t’ want it to end,” and “O my gosh, where’s the next book!”

 

About The Author: Michelle Dutch lives in the great Pacific Northwest and has been writing and publishing for 50 years.  Michelle has written fifteen books of poetry, three plays, a children's musical, and two children's books. She is a woman of faith, a missionary, a grandmother, a daughter, a sister, a Tia (auntie), and a cousin to 35 female cousins. Michelle is also a world traveler.  Broken Dolls is the second book in the Mary McKenzie series.

https://michelledutch.ampbk.com

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Brian Feinblum should be followed on www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2024. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.9 million pageviews. With 5,000+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and director of publicity positions at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.