Kathleen Bridge - Cozy Mystery Author Spotlight and Interview

I am going to be hosting a number of cozy mystery authors on my blog for the next two months. If you have not had the pleasure of enjoying a cozy mystery I encourage you to do so. The cozy mystery industry as a whole is in danger of being lost as the publishers are ending a number of series. Please note that not all series I will be sharing are in danger. There are many that will be continuting on as normal. I just wanted to do my part to make everyone aware of this genre as a whole. 

Today I will be showcasing Kathleen Bridge

About this author:

Kathleen Bridge, National Bestselling author of Hearse and Gardens and Better Homes and Corpses, and the upcoming 2017 release, Ghostal Living, started her writing career working at the Michigan State University News in East Lansing, Michigan. She is the author and photographer of an antiques reference guide, Lithographed Paper Toys, Books, and Games. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, and has taught creative writing classes at Bryant Library in Roslyn, New York. Kathleen is also an antiques and vintage dealer in Long Island, New York, and has contributed to Country Living magazine.

Where to follow this author:

Kathleen's Penguin Facebook Page

Kathleen's Author Facebook Page

Kathleen's Website

Kathleen's Pinterest

Kathleen's Twitter

Interview:

When did your love of writing begin? 

My love of writing began with my first Nancy Drew book, around the same time I wrote, The Mystery of Divers’ Point. My mom loved it, my other critics--not so much.

What made you choose this genre? 

I’ve always loved reading mysteries, hard-boiled P.I., Cozies, and suspense/thrillers. And I’m big fan of any films or television series where guessing “whodunit” is a challenge.

Do you have a scheduled writing time, place and/or routine? 

I try to write in my office five-days-a-week from 10-2 depending on what is due. When it’s closer to a deadline or final edit, I live in one of my Montauk T-Shirts and lounge pants and drink tons of coffee in my Inspector Gamache/Three Pines (Author Louise Penny’s protagonist in her mystery series) coffee mug, I ordered from Canada. I have a mascot on my desk - a vintage Steiff dog missing an ear that reminds of Tripod from my Hamptons Home and Garden series.

What do you do to get over writer's block?

I haven’t had time to have writer’s block, but if I get stuck with a particular scene that’s not working, I find it’s better to just cut it and move on.

What was it like to get your first publishing contract? 

Magical! Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! The most wonderful part of getting my contract was having my agent call to say that I had offers while I happened to be in Montauk, the setting for my series. It was, and is, a dream come true.

How has the publishing/writing world changed since you first started writing? 

My first published mystery, Better Homes and Corpses, came out in Aug. 2015, so I don’t think there has been too much change, perhaps a higher degree of uncertainty about getting new contracts with large publishers.

You write about strong female characters. Are they modeled after anyone? 

My main character is a thirty-three year old with a hearing loss, who wears hearing aids, and reads lips. I’ve modeled her super-powers after my own daughter, who also has a hearing loss and is pretty super.

When you are not writing what do you like to do? 

I am an antique/vintage-dealer and fixer-upper, photographer, fledgling knitter/crocheter, and gardener--and of course an avid reader of all genres, including poetry.

Do you have any advice for beginning authors? 

Don’t give up! Write a killer query letter and synopsis, and instead of being disheartened by an agent or publisher who has turned down your manuscript, take their advice, tweak it and move on to another. It is also a great idea to get into a writing group, but don’t let others influence you too strongly, keep your unique voice--and read, read, read.

Do you have a favorite author or book you would like to recommend to your readers? 

As mentioned above, Louise Penny. I love her Three Pines mysteries with Inspector Gamache.

Please tell us five random things about yourself. 

I grew up in Michigan.

In college, all I ate was Stove Top Stuffing with melted cheddar cheese and sour cream (I wish I could still eat that!). 

I was an extra in the television series Royal Pains and had a few lines on the soap, One Life To Live. I was a dress buyer for Lord & Taylor in Manhattan. 

I have a husband, two children, a dog and a cat.

What did I learn about this author:

She is a fan of mysteries both in books and shows and that why she chose to write them. Her daughter has a hearing loss and that is who her main character is modeled after. In college she ate Stove Top Stuffing with melted cheese and sour cream - sounds like an interesting combo. What did you learn about her?

Stay tuned for the next author.