Murder Mystery Series by Christine Smith

How did you become an author and get published? Share your experience.

Well, after retiring, I decided to dedicate to my true passion which is writing. I always loved murder mystery, but it was a hard step to take to begin with! So I decided to start writing my journey of my moving from the UK to Spain. After my first book "A Tale of Two Villages", and with my friend's advise of this classic book to start, I got inspired in the whole Morgan / Morales murder mystery series.

When you're working on a book and a new idea pops up, should you pursue it immediately (also known as 'UP syndrome') or finish your current project first? What do you think is the best course of action?

Good question! It happened to me while working on book 2, I knew what was going to happen in book 3! My advise would be to let your imagination and cretive process flow as it comes, to note every idea you have not to forget it and when it is the right time, it will save you tons of time.

Which character do you enjoy writing the most as a writer and why? If choosing a favorite character is like choosing a favorite child, which character do you find requires the most attention and detail from you as a writer?

The bad guys! Maybe because we all know how the good ones, or heroes behave or what they would do, and sometimes write what would an evil person do takes more effort.

What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?

John Grisham, Agatha Christie, I have many!

Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in [jobs/education] in your writing?

Yes, it is actually my major. And the nicest part of this particular series is that it takes place in the region where I live, so it gives me the opportunity to locate with detail the situations and be more specific.

Do you identify with your main character or did you create a character that is your opposite?

Neither, I actually placed myself in one the characters in the first book but was not a main character, and it all fit in the story because at some moment I gave spanish classes.

Describe the [book/series] in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it.

2 detectives solving murder mysteries in Andalusia Spain

Would you like readers to have any specific takeaway from your book?

I believe I do, even though this series is more about 2 detectives finding the truth and solving crimes, I'd like to think that the most important takeaway is not to trust first impressions. Sometimes we let ourselfs believe what we first see or know, and most of the times we do not see what really matters.

As an author, what critique has been the most challenging for you to receive? On the other hand, what compliment has been the most rewarding?

Well fortunately I haven't received any critique that would feel challenging, I believe every comment must be heard and helps us to see something we may be letting aside. And the most rewarding is that my books are not easy to put down, once you start reading you feel curious about what's going to happen next.

To date, what is your favorite (or most difficult) chapter you have ever written?

I can't recall the most difficult one, it is like if the whole story is in my head and I let the chapters flow. Maybe the hardest part is after writing it all the book, my dear husband is my first editor and sometimes the style corrections feels harder than actually writing.

Have you ever experienced writer’s block? How did you deal with it?

Oh yes! I believe all writes go through writer's block at some moment. I try not to push myself, when I have been in a block I try to relax, and give myself a break to start over.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Reading, I love reading books and spending time with my husband.

Was there anything you had to research for the book?

Yes, this murder mystery series takes place in Andalusia, and even though I live here, I did some research on the places to be more specific about the situations happening in the stories to give the stories a more specific and realistic touch.

Did you have any say in the cover design?

Sure, I wanted the cover to be possible to fit for the whole series. Actually I changed the first book cover to be able to do it.

Do you have any movie or tv adaptations in the works?

Not yet but I would love to see my murder mystery series in the big screen.

Did you always want to be an author? If not, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Yes, since I can recall, books were an important part of my life and I was sure books would be in my life.

Where do you like to write? In a coffee shop? In your home office? On the beach?

Most of my writing happens when I'm home, I live in a country house, that inspires me!

What other hobbies do you have outside of writing?

Traveling in Spain with my husband, reading and cooking!

Are any of the characters in your book based on people in your real life? If so, can you tell us more about that process and how it influenced your writing?

Yes! In my second book there is one character inspired in a real life friend. But I believe it is more interesting that the whole series based in famous and classic books came as well from a friend and it inspired me and the quotes, characters and situations were just flowing with more ease.