Interview with crime writer Lesley Cookman

I'm very happy to welcome Lesley Cookman to the Luke Ballard elemancer blog today.

Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed, Lesley. As a fan of the Libby Serjeant murder mysteries, I stand in awe of someone who is publishing her 13th book in the series. 

1.     Tell us a little about yourself, please.

I started writing for computer and business magazines when my older two children were small, after a varied career which included actor, model, air stewardess and recruitment consultant. I met my late husband while I was working for The Observer and he was working for EMI. Then we both had brainstorms and went self employed – he as a musician and me as a writer. The four children have all become musicians, and one is also a writer.

2.     Talk us through your writing process. Are you a pantser or a planner?

What usually happens is that I have a title and have to find something to fit! Then I’ll have a setting, or a situation, often suggested to me by my eldest son, whom I’m beginning to think I should pay, and I go on from there. I don’t start to make notes until I’m some way in and have to write down timelines or relationships. I frequently don’t know who the murderer is, and it’s likely to change right up until the last minute, so I’m always slightly doubtful when readers say “I knew who it was right from the beginning!” Lucky them. I didn’t.

3.     Tell us about your new book.

Murder In A Different Place is the thirteenth in the Libby Sarjeant Mystery Series, and in response to requests from readers, this time I’ve taken Libby and her gang away from home to the Isle of Wight, one of my all time favourite holiday destinations. Also in response to requests, we learn far more about her friend Harry and his background. 

You can find Murder in a Different Place here - http://amzn.to/1iAlZnd

4. How do you come up with your titles? 

They all have to have “Murder” in them, so we (publishers, sales director, children) come up with a phrase that looks good. As scientific as that.

5. Which books have had the most influence on you as a writer? 

Monica Edwards Romney Marsh series, and later Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Dorothy Sayers. Not Christie!

6. What advice would you give to other writers? 

Keep going – and read. Read as much as you can, particularly in your own genre so you learn what works and what doesn’t, how dialogue is written, what sort of pacing is necessary and how much description is allowable. I re-read a lot of my favourites – see above – and it’s surprising how things have changed. Back in “The Golden Age” of detective fiction you could have pages of description – no paragraphs and no dialogue. An editor would have a field day today!