Author’s Choice with Teresa Inge

Please welcome Teresa to Author’s Choice.

Dear readers, here’s where you get to play along. The author will tell us two truths and one lie (ed comment –I randomized the order). At the end of the questions, we’ll reveal what really happened. Remember, we write crime fiction, so lying is in our nature . . .

Two Truths, One Lie

Truth or Lie?: In high school, I dreamed of owning a 1955 Thunderbird, inspired by the 1956 model featured in American Graffiti.

Truth or Lie?: I am the first college graduate in my immediate family.

Truth or Lie?: I have ten siblings.

Eight Quick Questions

Now for some fun insight into today’s author. Here are eight forced choice questions.

1.         First draft: longhand, keyboard, or dictation? Keyboard all the way!

2.         Plotter, pantser, or plantser (that chaotic middle ground)? Plantser. I start with an idea for the storyline and characters and follow the characters lead when they take a new direction.  

3.         Writing snack: sweet, salty, or "I forget to eat"? My writing beverage varies—sometimes it’s sweet tea, other times it’s a glass of Rosé, depending on the mood and moment.

4.         Character names: meticulously researched, stolen from real life, or whatever sounds right? I find character names in a variety of places—sometimes I use a name generator or borrow names from Facebook, and occasionally I name my characters after streets from my childhood.

5.         Writing space: coffee shop chaos, library quiet, or home sweet home? My favorite writing spaces are my country home in Southeastern Virginia and my beach house in the Outerbanks of North Carolina.

6.         Writer's block: push through, step away, or "it's not real"? Stepping away for a bit really helps me return with a fresh perspective on the story.

7.         Happy ending, bittersweet, or gut-punch finale? A happy ending where every storyline is resolved and nothing is left hanging.

8.         Deadline approaching: calm and prepared, thriving on adrenaline, or full panic mode? I occasionally panic and have taken a day off work just to meet the deadline.

About the Book

Enough about you, let’s turn to three questions about your book.

Q: If your main character in this novel showed up at your door right now, what would be the first thing they'd say to you (and would it be a complaint)?

A. If Rhiannon Harper, the main character in my short story  in Lunatic Fringe, 'I Just Died in Your Arms,' showed up at my door, the first thing she’d say is, "Thanks for turning my quiet life upside down as a book and vinyl shop owner by involving me—and my sister Layla—in the death of my favorite 80s rock star. Now, we’re unraveling clues from Connie’s diary, a real-life groupie connected to a Grand Funk Railroad song, only to discover that some secrets are best left hidden."

Q: What's one thing you hope readers take away from this book?

A. That Rhiannon is a resilient, independent woman who can overcome obstacles and unexpected twists thrown her way.

Q: What question did you want me to ask, and what is your answer? 

A. What are the themes and subjects in your work? My southern coastal mysteries feature female protagonists who run their own businesses. Each protagonist conducts investigations outside of a typical office environment. These businesses include motels, beach shops, wine shops, dog walking and grooming services, wedding and event planning, and fabric stores among other enterprises.

The Big Reveal

Now let’s see how good a sleuth (or guesser) our readers are. Please reveal all.

The lie is that I have ten siblings. In reality, there are seven of us, but with close friends always around, it often felt like there were ten kids in the house! As for the two truths: I worked my way through college, and in 2019, I fulfilled my high school dream by purchasing a 1955 Thunderbird.

Here’s a blurb for and some links where you can find Teresa's latest story in Lunatic Fringe edited by J. Alan Hartman:

Book Blurb

Proving that some hits are absolutely timeless, we've followed up the international bestselling (and award-nominated) anthology (I Just) Died In Your Arms: Crime Fiction Inspired by One Hit Wonders with a brand-new collection of crime stories in Lunatic Fringe from 12 authors who know a thing or two about music and mayhem.

[White City Press]       [Amazon]

Want to know more?

For more information about Teresa www.teresainge.com