In Author Blog, Author Interviews, J.B.Hawker, author
Diane Weiner
Today we are visiting with cozy mystery author, Diane Weiner. Diane is a veteran public school teacher and mother of four children. She has enjoyed reading for as long as she can remember and, like many of her fans, has fond memories of Nancy Drew and Mary Higgins Clark. Reading on snowy weekend afternoons in upstate New York she yearned to write books that would bring that kind of enjoyment to her readers. Being an animal lover, she is a vegetarian and shares her home with two adorable cats and a little white dog. In her free time, she enjoys running, attending community theater productions, and spending time with her family (especially going to the mall with her teenage daughter and getting Dairy Queen afterwards). Murder in the Middle is the third book in her Susan Wiles School House Mystery series and she has plans for many more.
- Thanks so much for stopping by, Diane. My blog is read by writers as well as their fans. I know many of them would love to learn the process you went through to find your publisher, Cozy Cat Press. What services does this publisher provide to the author?
- How did you come up with this clever series title?
- Your early years were spent in upstate New York. Have you lived in New York all your life?
- How long have you been a vegetarian? What prompted you to make this lifestyle choice? Can you share a favorite recipe?
- Your first book, Murder is Elementary has been followed by others in the series all focused on education, do you have any plans to begin a different series in the future?
- While writing your books, who is your target reader?
- How do reader reviews influence your writing?
Thanks for sharing with us today, Diane. I know my readers will want to dip into one of your books, soon, and we’re all excited to be the first to know about the publication this week of your latest, Murder is Legal.
Interview
Diane Weiner
dianeweinerauthor.com
The Susan Wiles Schoolhouse Mysteries: Retired teacher turns amateur sleuth
My latest book, Murder is Homework, is now available. It is book 9 in the series. I am currently working on the second book in my Sugarbury Falls series. A Deadly Course, set in Vermont with a married couple as he amateur sleuths, is available on Amazon.
Diane Weiner
dianeweinerauthor.com
The Susan Wiles Schoolhouse Mysteries: Retired teacher turns amateur sleuth
- At the school where I worked, one of the teachers, an aspiring administrator, was always trying to brown nose the principal by bringing her home baked goods. One day I wondered “what if he poisoned that cupcake he’s bringing her so he can take over her job?”
- In my series, Susan Wiles is the character I want to be: a retired teacher, and a grandmother! She’s much more gutsy and outspoken than I am. I am pretty shy and cautious as a person. Our similarities are that we are both educators, and we both have close families. Our husbands and children are the center of our worlds.
- The hardest part of writing is having limited time during the school year, as I am still working full time. I often write in the mornings before school and have to stop right in the middle of what I’m doing to get in the shower and get to work on time!
- I am inspired to keep writing because my characters and the town of Westbrook are alive to me and I want to be in that world. I also value the joy reading brings to me and there’s nothing more satisfying than reading a review or hearing from a reader that they enjoyed my book and can’t wait to read the next one. It’s like I’m passing on the joy reading brings.
- To a would be writer, I’d say to just write. Brainstorm ideas—don’t get caught up in trying to make things perfect from the get go. If you love to write, write. Go to writing conferences if you can, read about writing, and try a critique group. Reading your work to others can give you the confidence to keep going.
My latest book, Murder is Homework, is now available. It is book 9 in the series. I am currently working on the second book in my Sugarbury Falls series. A Deadly Course, set in Vermont with a married couple as he amateur sleuths, is available on Amazon.