CHARACTER INTERVIEW: Libby Sarjeant from the Libby Sarjeant Murder Mystery series

Tell me a little about yourself (where you live, who you are, what you look like, what you hope to achieve, etc.)

I live in a village called Steeple Martin, in Kent, England. There is a map of the village on Lesley Cookman’s website and in all her books. I am fairly short, about five feet three inches – or possibly two inches if I’ve shrunk. I’m  – slightly – er – overweight and my hair is a sort of dark rusty red and very curly. I look a bit like a rusty bottle brush. Achievements? Well, I’d quite like a quiet life. We seem to keep having murders thrust upon us.

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What do you like to do in your spare time?

I should say painting, but I only do that for money these days. Just pin money, really, and I don’t enjoy it as I used to. Also, what was my job as an actress turned into a hobby, and has now turned into business again, as my partner Ben and I, with his cousin Peter, run our theatre – the Oast Theatre.

What is your favorite color and why?

Red, I think.

What is your favorite food? Why is it your favorite?

I like spicy food, and I think my favourite is Mexican Pollo Con verde, cooked by my friend Harry.

What would you say is your biggest quirk?

Nosiness, definitely.

What or who means the most to you in your life? What, if anything, would you do to keep him/her/it in your life?

My children, my partner Ben, my cat Sidney, my best friend Fran, Peter and Harry... I suppose I’d do just about anything I could to keep them with me.

What one thing would you like readers to know about you that may not be spelled out in the book in which you inhabit?

After 16 books and two novellas, there’s very little my readers don’t know about me or my past!

If you could tell your writer (creator) anything about yourself that might turn the direction of the plot, what would it be?

Tell that woman anything? As if she’d listen!

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Thank you, Libby

Learn more about Libby and her creator

Author Interview

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FRIDAY FLICKS: Libby Sarjeant Murder Mystery Series by Lesley Cookman

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Lesley Cookman

Tell me a about yourself. What got you started in writing?

I’ve always written, from a very young child, when I wanted to make up my own books. I won regional prizes while I was at Grammar School, but didn’t start to write professionally until much later when I began to write features for trade magazines.

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

It’s my day job, so I have an office and try to work office hours. I don’t work in the evenings, and I must admit to having time off when I want it!

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or some other method of getting your words down?

I have an iMac in my office. I write on my MacBook when I’m on holiday, and occasionally edit on that on my sofa in front of the fire!

What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

My favourite part? As a career, it’s better than stacking supermarket shelves! My least favourite part is the need for self-discipline. I’m bad at that.

How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?

I write roughly two books a year under contract, and as my favourite reading has always been mysteries and detective fiction, particularly that of the Golden Age, my choice of subject was easy. It was also a commercial decision between my publisher and me to start a mystery series.

What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing? 

My publisher, luckily, does most of it, but I have a blog, a website, a Facebook page and I’m on Twitter.

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

I am currently working on the revisions and edits for the 16^th book in the Libby Sarjeant series, Murder Dancing and writing the 17^th.

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

Not exactly the back burner, but the first novella in a brand new series set in Edwardian England came out on Boxing Day, Death Plays A Part. I will be writing this series alongside the Libby Sarjeant series.

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

Work hard, read a lot, and keep submitting. Do NOT leap straight into self publishing before you’ve honed your craft. It will show.

The question most people ask me at talks and events is “where do you get your ideas”. There is no simple answer to that, and I frequently tell them I go to the ideas shop. However, my children do supply me with scenarios, especially  my eldest son, who has come up with many of my recent book settings.

Answered by Kathryn: I get many of my ideas listening to ideas others have for me. I also get ideas simply by living my life and putting my experiences on paper when they come up. Writing what you know is so important, but also being willing to do a little research when necessary. Writing prompts have also gotten me going, especially when I get a temporary writer's block.

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Thanks, Lesley!

Learn more about Lesley at the following sites:

http://www.lesleycookman.co.uk/

http://lesleycookman.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/news

https://www.facebook.com/SteepleMartinMysteries/?fref=ts