JUST BEACH-Y, an Interview with cozy mystery author Jayne Ormerod

We’ve got a new author interview format, one that asks an author about the writing process, and some insights into a few of their favorite beach-y things. I volunteered to “test the waters”, so to speak, so here’s a little bit more about me.

Q.  What kind of stories do you write?

A. Most of my stories fall on the cozy end of the mystery spectrum, but I do branch out sometimes into women's fiction.

Q.  What is your writing routine?

A.  Stare at the white screen on the computer until my eyes bleed? 

There are days when writing comes easy, and then days when there’s just nothing, so I play Solitaire.

Q.  Do you use real or fictional settings in your stories?

A.  Fictional, but often based on a real place. The location of my Blonds at the Beach Mystery Series is sort of based on my hometown of Chagrin Falls.  But whereas it had a river running through it, Braddocks Beach has a large lake.

Q.  Have you ever written a beach scene?

A.  Yes, many.  My favorite is the lighthouse scene where Ellery goes to see where her aunt died, and ends up having the beejezus scared out of her.  It was fun to write.

Q. Suggest a snack that pairs nicely with your latest release.

A.  All of my stories pair well with Milano cookies.  But a canister of Pringles works nicely, too.

Q.  Suggest a wine that pairs nicely with a seaside sunset.

A.  My soon-to-be-released “Life is a Cabernet” <<50 Shades of Cabernet, Koehler Books, 2017>> pairs very well with a Dreaming Tree Cabernet. (Trivia, winery is operated by Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band.  It’s one of my favorite cabs.)

Q.  Favorite meal when visiting a beach location.

A.  Believe it or not, I’m not much of a seafood eater, so a good beach "meal" for me is nice glass of wine while watching the sun set. I might get an appetizer to go with it.

Q.  Favorite beach activity (reminder this is a G-rated blog)

A.  Nothing better than a brisk walk along the shore, playing tag with the waves, watching the birds scurry in and out with the tide.  Sailboats bobbing, people sunning, and fiddler crabs playing hide and seek.  A walk on the beach is sure to cure whatever ails you!

Q. Favorite song to Shag Dance to (if only in your mind…)

A.  Brown-Eyed Girl!

Q.  Last time you wore flip flops.

A.  This morning. Went out to see if it was a beach-walking day or a street-walking day.  <<wind was wicked fierce so I opted for a stroll through the tree-lined streets of my Bayfront community.)

Author bio and links:

  Jayne Ormerod is the original Ghostbuster.  Raised in a 200-year-old farmhouse that once served as a brothel, Jayne’s imagination had herself and others convicted of the presence of restless spirits.  The experiences taught her how to spin a really good story, which was a useless talent in her career as an accountant.  She married a naval officer, and after fifteen moves in conjunction with his career, decided she needed a more transportable (and emotionally satisfying) vocation, so turned to writing.  Jayne measures her success not only in publication but also by the euphoric feeling at the end of a really good day of writing.

Jayne's happy to announce the release of not one, but TWO anthologies in Spring, 2017  First is 50 Shades of Cabernet, which features Jayne's short mystery, "Life is a Cabernet." Also early May will see the release of the much anticipated By the Bay 2; More East Beach Stories,  which includes her short mystery, "Write by the Bay."  Jayne's other publishing credits include: two humorous cozy mystery novels, The Blond Leading the Blond and Blond Faith, A Blonds at the Beach Mystery; one novella, Behind the Blue Door: 230 Periwinkle Place; a short mystery, “Best Friends Help you Move the Body" in the Virginia is for Mysteries anthology; another short mystery "It's Wine o'Clock Somewhere" in Virginia is for Mysteries, Volume II: and her very first publication credit, a short mystery “The Tide Also Rises,” in the Chesapeake Crimes 3 anthology. 

You can read more about Jayne (like why she writes under a nom de plume) and her books by visiting her website, www.JayneOrmerod.com.