Heather Weidner will be awarding one (1) Set of 4 Nancy Drew Wine Charms (US Only Addresses) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Secret Lives
by Heather Weidner
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GENRE: Mystery
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INTERVIEW:
What or who inspired you to start writing?
I have
loved mysteries since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. I loved the Nancy Drew novels,
and when I wrote my first mystery series, I wanted a spunky female sleuth who
was sassy and not afraid to get herself in and out of humorous situations. I
see my PI, Delanie Fitzgerald, as a grown up Nancy Drew.
How did you come up with your idea for your novel?
I wanted to
write a mystery with a strong, female sleuth, but I wasn’t sure what job she
should have. She needed a career that would give her time to snoop. I am part of Sisters in Crime Central
Virginia, and we often have guest speakers. At one of our events, a female
private investigator talked to us about her work and adventures, and I decided
that I wanted a sleuth who was a PI. She likes to snoop, but she’s often at
odds with law enforcement.
What expertise did you bring to your writing?
I have
always loved to read, and I have two degrees in American literature. In my past
lives, I’ve been a technical writer, marketing specialist, college professor,
and IT manager. I think each of those jobs have added something to my
experiences. I am also a CK (cop’s kid). I grew up with interesting dinner
conversations. One of my first jobs as a kid was to pick up the bullet casings
after my dad finished practicing at the range. When he was on the SWAT team in
the early 1970s, he melted down my old crayons, and I helped make practice
bullets for their exercises. My dad is retired now, but he’s my best resource
for questions like, “Hey, Dad. What does a meth lab smell like?” or “Can you
really kill someone with a guitar string?”
As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?
I am
working on the second book in the Delanie Fitzgerald series. I also have a
short story, “Par for the Course” coming out next year in a wine-themed mystery
anthology, 50 Shades of Cabernet.
If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?
I think I
would like to be Delanie Fitzgerald, PI. She is sassy and feisty. She doesn’t
like to take no for an answer, and she gets into way more trouble than I do. In
a way, she’s my alter ego.
Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?
I do. I
love my critique group. It is part of my Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia
chapter. We usually have about six women and two men (Misters) who attend
regularly. They offer such great advice and support. We review 50 pages of work
each month from each submitter, so it helps keep me on track with my writing.
It gives me deadlines if I don’t have any at the time.
When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?
I am so
fortunate to be a part of Sisters in Crime, the Guppies (SinC Online chapter)
and Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia. I have always loved mysteries and
thrillers. This group is made up of wonderful, supportive authors who are so
generous with their time and advice. We are all at different stages of our
writing journey, and it’s great to be a part of a writing tribe. Our chapter
partnered with the Mystery by the Sea chapter to publish an anthology of short
stories, Virginia is for Mysteries. I
submitted my work, and this was my first published short story. This book came
out in 2014. I have a short story in the second in the series, and it was
published in 2016, the same year as my debut novel. I’ve been writing for a
long time, but I just recently took the plunge to submit my work for
publication.
What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)
The best
advice I received was to NEVER give up. If you want to be published, it’s work.
You need to keep at it and continue to hone your writing skills. The worst
advice that I probably received was that to be a real author, you needed an
agent and a big contact with a publishing house. The book/publishing industry
has changed. There are lots of opportunities out there for new writers.
Do you outline your books or just start writing?
I start out
as a plotter, who outlines and writes a short biography for each character. I
color code my outline to show where the humor, clues, and romance are. I like
to spread them out through the story. Then I start writing, and the story takes
over. I become a pantser, one who writes by the seat of her pants. Sometimes,
the story goes in a totally different direction that I planned.
How do you maintain your creativity?
I am an IT
manager by day, so a huge part of my life is filled with geek speak and
technology. It’s fun. Some days, I feel I’m on the set of “The Big Bang
Theory.” I started writing for fun. It is one of my creative outlets. But I
also like to take pictures, draw, and travel.
BLURB:
Business has been slow for Private Investigator, Delanie
Fitzgerald, but her luck seems to change when a tell-all author hires her to
find rock star, Johnny Velvet. Could the singer whose career purportedly ended
in a fiery crash almost thirty years ago, still be alive?
And as though sifting through dead ends in a cold case isn’t bad
enough, Chaz Wellington Smith, III, a loud-mouthed, strip club owner, also
hires Delanie to uncover information about the mayor’s secret life. When the
mayor is murdered, Chaz, is the key suspect. Now Delanie must clear his name
and figure out why landscaper Tripp Payne, keeps popping up in her other
investigation. Can the private investigator find the connection between the two
cases before another murder – possibly her own – takes place?
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EXCERPT:
“Hey,
do you want another drink?” slurred the man on the barstool next to Delanie
Fitzgerald.
Delanie
leaned in closer. “No, but I’d like to go somewhere and get to know you better.
What do you think about that?” she asked, winking at the fifty-something
sitting next to her. She tossed her long red curls to one side and tilted her
head toward him. She hoped the black dress showed enough cleavage to do the
trick.
He
smiled. He looked like he was expecting her to kiss him. When she didn’t, he
waved to the bartender for the tab.
The
man placed two twenties on the bar next to his glass. Delanie slid off the
barstool, careful not to cause her micro-dress to creep any higher. Flipping
her shiny purse strap over her shoulder, she made her way out through the
crowd. Delanie felt his ragged breaths on the back of her neck, huffing and
puffing like he’d run three or four laps. He reached out and touched her
shoulder, trying to steady himself.
When
they arrived at the parking lot, she said, “I’m over there. I’ll follow you.
Where to?
“I
dunno. I’m not from this part of town.”
“We
could go to your place,” she suggested.
“Uh,
no. Too far. It wouldn’t be any fun.”
“Well,
I’m all about fun. Okay, where then?” She shivered and wished she had brought a
jacket, but it would have ruined the effect.
“Uh,
I dunno,” he stammered. “I think they’re some places over near the interstate a
couple of blocks from here.”
“Okay.
I want somewhere nice with a Jacuzzi.”
“I
didn’t bring a swimsuit.”
“Neither
did I,” she said.
He
leered at Delanie, taking in her long legs and short skirt, while fishing
through his pockets for his keys.
“I’m in the beige Corolla down there,” he
said.
She
climbed in her black Mustang and watched him stagger to his car.
Delanie
felt a tinge of guilt for letting him drive drunk, but she needed to get him at
a motel. She started the engine. He still hadn’t made it to his car. After
turning on the lights and the radio, she kicked off the four-inch heels that
pinched her feet and made her calves burn. She threw them in the backseat and
settled in to watch what he would do next.
He
finally backed out, and Delanie followed behind him until he pulled into a
small motel at the entrance ramp to I-95. The sign under the neon vacancy
advertised Jacuzzis and free breakfast.
He
parked and walked over to her car. Rolling down the window a crack, she waited.
He leaned forward but didn’t say anything.
“Why
don’t you get us a room?” she asked. “I’ll pull around back and wait for you to
get everything ready.”
“Okay,”
he smiled again and wandered off in the direction of the office. It was twelve
thirty-five according to the radio display.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Heather Weidner’s short
stories appear in Virginia is for Mysteries and Virginia is for
Mysteries Volume II. Currently, she is President of Sisters in Crime – Central
Virginia, and a member of Guppies and Lethal Ladies Write. Secret Lives
and Private Eyes is her debut novel.
Originally from Virginia
Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. She
lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.
Heather earned her BA in
English from Virginia Wesleyan College and her MA in American literature from
the University of Richmond. Through the years, she has been a technical writer,
editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager.
Contact Information
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Heather Weidner will be awarding one (1) Set of 4 Nancy Drew
Wine Charms (US Only Addresses) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter
during the tour.
