How did you pick the genre you write in?
Well, it sort of picked me. I had started out my career in historical fiction, which I love, and will always love, and will continue to write, but when I had the idea for The Secret Sisters Mysteries, it just fell from the sky and smacked me on the head. The characters started talking to me like I’d known them for years, and it just snowballed from there.
I LOVE historicals!! I hope you write one soon. Do you plot or do you write by the seat of your pants?
I generally write by the seat of my pants, and then go back to add little threads of logic once I figure out where I’m going. It always makes me laugh when I get halfway through the mystery and then realize I now know who did it. You’d think I’d know that from the start, but no, not really.
Heeheee That sounds familiar since I do that as well. What drew you to the subject of Dearly Departed?
I’m trying to remember exactly how I got the idea for this particular story. I think it just leaped into my head, along with the others. I was particularly taken with the idea of little old women, one in a wheelchair with two casts, creeping down a hallway and trying to be inconspicuous.
You know...I can picture that too! lol Did you encounter any obstacles in researching this story?
This story didn’t take a whole lot of research, but when I did have questions, I turned to my awesome critique group. One member, Heather Justesen, is an EMT, and another member, Nichole Giles, is married to a police officer. They help keep me on the straight and narrow with those kinds of details.
That critique group does sound awesome. What was the best writing advice someone gave you?
Several years ago, I signed at BYU’s Women’s Conference and got to sit next to Brenton Yorgason. He talked to me about the temptation to give in and write what the world would want me to write, and then he said to me, “Don’t ever pollute your pen.” I have never forgotten that and have tried to live up to that counsel.
That is great advice! Would you describe your book for us?
Dearly Departed is the sequel to Secret Sisters. Ida Mae has broken both her wrist and her ankle, and this gives her the perfect excuse to go investigate a suspicious death in a care facility. While she’s there, she interrogates the other patients, steals files from the doctor’s office, and gets herself in a spot of trouble of her own. But justice is served at the end.
This story sounds intriguing! What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
My characters. When I give them their head and just let them run, they come up with the most hysterical solutions to their problems. They make me laugh all the time.
I love when characters do that! What do you consider your strengths in terms of your writing?
With this series, definitely the characterizations, but I don’t think I can take credit for that. They just appeared, fully formed, and I wrote down what they said and did and who they were. They made it really easy for me.
I love when that happens, too. So what do you consider your weakness and what strategies do you use to overcome it?
I struggle to formulate all the little intricate details of the mystery. Sometimes it’s just not mysterious enough and I have to add stuff or take it out and throw in more red herrings. Again, that’s where my critique group comes in. They help me when things are just not making sense or when I haven’t laid out the scenario right.
You are truly blessed to have a wonderful critique group. Where can readers find you and your books?
You can generally find me right here at my computer, or taking a nap in my room, or … oh, wait, that’s not what you meant. You can find my blog at http://www.tristipinkston.blogspot.com/ and you can find my books here, which is my Amazon page:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=tristi+pinkston&x=0&y=0
I also have a website at http://www.tristipinkston.com/, but it’s really outdated and I’m getting ready to launch a whole new one. It’s gonna be awesome.
Tristi, I can't wait to see your new website. Thanks for visiting my blog today, and I wish you TONS of success with your stories!
~Marie~
3 comments:
Thanks for hosting me today, Marie! I really appreciate it, and it's been fun to get to know you.
My interview with you will post on Feb. 3rd - so all Marie's readers, be sure to swing by! tristipinkston.blogspot.com
That's great, Tristi! I can't wait!
It's been fun to get to know you better!
~Marie~
Fun interview Marie. I really enjoyed it and Tristi's book sounds like one I will be adding to my reading list.
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