Today Lizz Lund is back today to regale us with some of her most amusing reviews, what would be a good a thing to steal and what creature should be created to reduce the drudgeries of cleaning.
Lizz, it’s great to have you back to have a chat Juicy Jersey and all things writing. Last time we met we talked a bit about Juicy Jersey and I’m fairly sure that the book hasn’t changed so we’ll just talk a little about it for the readers who missing the last interview with you, and then we’ll find some fresh exciting things to discuss.
What’s the skinny on Juicy Jersey in less than 60 seconds?
Juicy Jersey packs a roller coaster ride of murders, mayhem and mojitos. Come root for Mina, boo the bad guys and nibble a nosh, courtesy of the author’s recipes in the back of the book, vetted by Lund’s real-life favorite chef, her husband, Chef Andrew.
One of the most amusing ingredients of your cuisine inspired novel is the wonder cast of characters. How did you cook them up, pun intended?
They’re an odd combination of over-active imagination and family names, mostly. I hodge-podge a lot of characteristics of friends and family with observations of strangers in diners. Be careful about that second stack of pancakes you order.
Since they’re like melted together bits of people that you already know, do you ever find yourself dreaming about them?
No, but I cook like them.
I hope that they’re not too stringy. Now that would be gross. Do you pick favourites or not want any characters to leave the plot?
Yes, and no… but unless they’re killed off they are welcome back any time (in which case they’re a bad guy, and we don’t roll like that).
*Smiles*. I like that theory where your baddies have to fear the permanency of death, but that doesn’t need to extend to ones not identified as evil. Now, evilness aside which of your characters would you like to go out with for a night on the town?
Mina and Chef Jacques, of course!
And was working with the characters the most rewarding aspect of writing this book?
Researching background oddball stuff; which turned into a new cast of characters.
I hope that we can see those new characters pop up again in another novel. Last time we caught up you were working on the second book of your new young adult trilogy. How have you been progressing?
I have finished the 2nd in the set and now ramping up the third; shooting to release this fall: The Chronicles of Thaddeus McPhee. Oh, and of course the 6th book in the Mina Kitchen series: Diabolical DC.
Very exciting. Do you have any mysterious techniques for writing so successfully?
Outline; set it; butt in chair.
And when you have your butt comfortable how do you let the story pour out. Do you write by hand or type?
Type. It would take a team of hieroglyphics experts to decipher my scrawl. I’ve often been mistaken for a doctor.
Do you do the same thing for editing? Do you start by editing yourself?
Yes. I re-read and re-write many times. Then it goes to the hubs. Then my editor. Then, I re-read, re-write. Then, back to the hubs. Then, back to the editor. After the final edit; off to 1-2 beta readers (God bless their souls).
And then when you’re done the story is encased in that very neat book cover. Who had the idea of putting the cat on the cover?
Moi. Vinnie Cat on the cover is a combination of all our cats.
I like him there. He does a good job. Now you’re a full time writer correct?
Yes, I am in a position to be lucky enough to say writing is my full-time job; which I supplement with part time work which is inside sales.
That’s a full time writer as far as I am concerned. Now as a full time writer do you have self-publishing tips to pass on?
Writing is fun. Marketing can be fun… if you’re not trying to write at the same time; that is the tricky part.
Do you have a single best tip for authors?
Keep on, keeping on.
Have you had any downtime recently to read?
Nothing now while under deadline mode. But usually mysteries and science fiction.
And is your favourite literary character from a mystery or sci-fi novel?
Nope, it’s Anne of Green Gables.
That’s a pretty good choice. And now we’re onto my favourite segment, the quick fire round.
If you could breed two animals together to defy the laws of nature what new animal would you create?
A porcu-sponge. Great for cleaning.
*Laughs*. I love that. I think that is a gold standard marketing idea right there. Just figure out how to breed them together and I think that you’re set for life.
Can you stand on your hands unassisted?
Before or after happy hour?
How did you feel when you got your first book review?
Woot!
What is your favourite word?
Don’t have one. But LEAST favorite is, “slurry” – eww!
If you could steal one thing without consequence what would it be?
The moon.
Can you curl your tongue?
Yeth.
Which are cooler? Dinosaurs or Dragons?
Dragons, of course!
What’s the most unusual name you’ve ever come across?
Poindexter.
Do you have any philosophies that you live by?
“OPTIMIST: Someone who figures that taking a step backward–after taking a step forward–is not a disaster; it’s more like a Cha-Cha…”
Oooh. I like that one. I’m going to have to borrow it. What is your favourite quote?
Same as the philosophy, for now… ;)
Now, do you think that there’s any questions that really should have been included?
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment? I am paraphrasing; however:
Toughest (and, oddest): “I didn’t read this book so I didn’t like it.” WTH?
Best: (and most humbling) – I have MS and had to go through a week of IV treatment for a new drug that gave me hives everywhere (by EVERYWHERE insert female regions here) and your book was the only thing that kept my mind off my itching made me laugh out loud. (And, yes, I sent this poor woman a signed hard-copy of the book she enjoyed–of course.)
I’m glad to hear that you’ve got such positive feedback from your stories. I wouldn’t worry too much about the other guy though. It’s his loss that he didn’t read your book in the first place! Thanks again for joining me today Liz, and I hope that we can catch up again in the future with the release of one of your current works in progress.
We’ve had several other interviews with Lizz as she’s so much fun to chat with. Our earlier chat with Lizz about Juicy Jersey can be found here, and our first and second chats about Perfectly Pickled are also great reads.
Want to find out more about Lizz? Contact her at the following locations: