I think a writer wouldn’t be totally honest if she said she didn’t pull characters from real-life people. Having said that, my characters are often combinations of two or three people, and there is a large fictitious side to them as well.
Arlene McFarlane – 1 December 2016
The Back Flap
Valentine Beaumont is a beautician with a problem. Not only has she got a meddling mother, a wacky staff, and a dying business, but now she’s got a dead client who was strangled while awaiting her facial.
With business the way it is, combing through this mystery may be the only way to save her salon. Until a second murder, an explosion, a kidnapping, death threats, and the hard-nosed Detective Romero complicate things. But Valentine will do anything to untangle the crime. That’s if she can keep her tools of the trade in her bag, keep herself alive, and avoid falling for the tough detective.
In the end, how hard can that be?
About the book
What is the book about?
Valentine Beaumont is a beautician with a problem. Not only has she got a meddling mother, a wacky staff, and a dying business, but now she’s got a dead client who was strangled while awaiting her facial.
With business the way it is, combing through this mystery may be the only way to save her salon. Until a second murder, an explosion, a kidnapping, death threats, and the hard-nosed Detective Romero complicate things. But Valentine will do anything to untangle the crime. That’s if she can keep her tools of the trade in her bag, keep herself alive, and avoid falling for the tough detective.
In the end, how hard can that be?
When did you start writing the book?
I’ve been working on this story and the whole series for 10 years.
How long did it take you to write it?
The story itself didn’t take long to write—6 months maybe, including writing an outline and first draft. But the revisions and editing process took a lot longer.
Where did you get the idea from?
I’d heard many times at workshops and conferences to write what you know. As my background was in the beauty industry, and I’d owned and operated a full-service salon, I combined my experiences there with my love for light-hearted mysteries, and the Murder, Curlers series was born.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
What I struggled with most was balancing the humor with the mystery.
What came easily?
Dialogue.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Good question! I think a writer wouldn’t be totally honest if she said she didn’t pull characters from real-life people. Having said that, my characters are often combinations of two or three people, and there is a large fictitious side to them as well.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I adore Janet Evanovich, Lawrence Block, and Sophie Kinsella. I love the humor they use, the sarcasm, the quips. I also have tremendous respect for Stephen King. While I don’t read horror, I believe King is absolutely correct when he says a writer must be true to his story. You can’t worry about what others will think of your book. You must write the story you need to tell.
Do you have a target reader?
My target reader is anyone who can appreciate the goings-on in the beauty salon. That would include anyone who has worked or stepped foot in a salon.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so, can you please describe it?
I start with an outline, which I don’t always stick to. Then I write the first draft. Second. And so on. Each time I try to make it tighter. After I’m happy with the finished product, I pass it on to my editor.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
My outlines include a few words that describe the action that takes place in each chapter. Usually point form, not sentences.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit as I go.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes, I hired a professional editor who has an extremely keen eye and a good handle on my voice.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I need silence when I write.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Yes, I submitted my work, and I had a lot of interest. That followed with a lot of rejections.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
It was a gradual process. After winning and placing in over 30 contests, I came to the conclusion I had readers who enjoyed my stories and were waiting for me to publish. I couldn’t write my book for New York. I also don’t believe my books would’ve been the same had they been traditionally published. And I wasn’t willing to change things in order to please a few. No one can predict how well a book will be received by readers, but I began to see I had a better chance of success being self-published and with my own story.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I hired a professional cover artist who followed my exact wishes for what I wanted on the cover. She even had me draw up images and send them to her so she could copy that idea.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I’ve brainstormed long and hard on how to market my books. Again, no one can predict the success of a book, but at least I have a plan in place.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Badly written, unedited self-published books are giving indie authors as a whole a bad name. It took me over ten years to learn my craft, to understand plot, structure. etc. I’m thankful for that time and for not rushing out and publishing my book when I first completed it. I believe an author has one chance to wow readers. If you put out the first thing you finished working on, and it’s not ready, you’re going to lose big time. My advice? Learn your craft. Write the best book you can. Hire a good editor. And listen to them. Don’t get defensive and say they’re no good or they don’t get your story. Often, we’re too close to our story, and we can’t see what needs fixing. There will always be readers who won’t like my book or get my humor. That’s inevitable. But at least I know I worked extremely hard at my craft, I learned the industry, and I wrote the best book with the talent I have. Hopefully, readers will agree and want to buy the next book in the series!
Thank you so much for the interview!
End of Interview:
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Get your copy of Murder, Curlers, and Cream from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
