FAQs
As an author, I write Cozy Mysteries, Romantic Suspense Mysteries and Stand Alone Mysteries.
The majority of Arlene’s novels take place in Boston. Prior to becoming a novelist she had an illustrious career as a civil servant and spent a lot of time observing and enjoying the funny intricacies of human and corporate behavior.
My characters are composites based on friends, enemies, names in the news and a very healthy imagination.
You bet! I will neither write about nor read anything where an animal or child is hurt. I also eschew gratuitous violence in my writing. Sure, someone gets killed, but the real focus is on the characters and solving the crime!
You’re kidding, right?
Actually my novels are tame. True, my characters sometimes make physical contact, but the scenes tend to be sensuous, not smutty. After all, these books are ROMANTIC suspense. Besides, any sentient female would launch herself at the kind of alpha hunks that I dream up.
Cozy readers prefer to minimize the romantic elements and stress plot, and characters. The setting can also differ. Small towns are prevalent in cozies vs. big cities. I’ve used Cape Cod, rural Virginia, and coastal Michigan for my cozy series.
As a reader I enjoy snarky dialogue and self-deprecating humor. The same holds true in my writing. It reflects the way I view life and frankly a tinge of sarcasm can put things into perspective. Down with pomposity, say I.
An intriguing plot. As a writer and a voracious consumer of mystery fiction, I expect to solve the crime. If the author doesn’t play fair that’s a gross violation of the reader’s trust. I’m often astonished by novels that lack intellectual vitality. Mystery readers are smart, and they expect a puzzle that tests their mental muscles.
Jane Austen, Conan Doyle, Edgar Allen Poe, and Agatha Christie. In contemporary fiction, I love Nelson Demille (incredible dialogue), Elizabeth Peters, (saucy strong female protagonists) and Michael Connelly. (Harry Bosch rocks!).
Hilarious. I believe humor must be part of the writer’s nature or else it looks forced and artificial. I do have a highly developed sense of humor which has landed me in deep trouble on occasion. It also enabled me to survive with some semblance of dignity.
I wish! I think any of my books would be perfect for either Lifetime, Hallmark, or the streaming services. Feature films aren’t realistic for most of us, but cable and streaming are the way to go. Spread the word!
My new series from Level Best Books is the COSMETIC CRIMES series. It’s set in a Michigan resort town and features a failed artist who owns and operates a high-end cosmetic emporium. I’ve always loved dabbling in makeup so its a natural for me. I’ve also just finished a standalone that really excites me. THE ACOLYTE, a Cape Cod Mystery is traditional with characters that readers will enjoy.
Ha, ha. My heroines have some traits that I aspire to. They’re smart, spunky, loyal to their friends, and crazy about animals. They use brains rather than brawn to solve mysteries and make the occasional blunder in doing so. Their persistence tries the patience of law enforcement at times.
Writing is a lot easier (for me), than marketing. I love doing presentations but cringe every time I sit in a bookstore like a pathetic waif hoping for alms. I feel like the last muffin on the plate, ignored and growing stale. Persistence and of course talent are the keys to success in any field and writing is no exception. I strive for continuous improvement.
You caught me — I’m a drama queen. But I do find it painful when potential customers pass me by. If only they knew what a treat they’re missing (LOL).
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