About Lizz Lund:
Lizz Lund loves Lancaster. Since 1999, she’s been having a terrific time here and thinks everyone else should, too. She is a newlywed and head-over-heels about her chef husband; she made him move from New Jersey, too. Kitchen Addiction! is her first novel of the Mina Kitchen series. Lizz grew up in Glen Rock, New Jersey and still hasn’t recovered. She holds a BA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University, but has never learned to waitress – although she knows it’s an art.
What inspires you to write?
Our mortgage. Ha, ha.
Actually, I run into a lot of funny situations – which is a lot less harmful than running into walls. The fact is, truth IS stranger than fiction. I just hope to maintain my gray matter to remember it all.
Tell us about your writing process.
I come up with my “bad guy/gal.” Sometimes this is inspired by real life events – SPOILER ALERT – for instance, Christmas Bizarre was inspired by a small news article about a bank robber in Italy – who was caught on security video hypnotizing the tellers, and getting away with the cash. Neat, huh?
Then I create an outline – a storyboard, if you will – which is loose in some columns; and tight in others (Mina MUST find so-and-so’s body here, etc.).
Then I consume an inordinate amount of beverages (water, coffee, wine – no, not all at the same time – yuck!) and keep my butt in the chair – and write.
Failing that, I run a load of laundry.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
For me, when things are “going well” – writing dialogue is a lot like reading backward. Or, watching a movie inside my head.
What advice would you give other writers?
This is a fantastic time in history to really write, and get actual reader feedback, because of eBooks. There are no more “gate keepers” (publishers) unless you wish to produce through a traditional process.
That said, there are also a lot of kooks out there posting reviews. You WILL get 1-star reviews. Some will be grounded and perhaps valid. Others will be posted by sad people who like to pull the wings off butterflies. Become an iron butterfly, and move on.
Better yet, remember the 4 and 5 star reviews MORE – and words of encouragement from your new fans. Yes, you will acquire FANS and it’s a very humbling and gratifying moment. It bestows a mantle of creative responsibility (would I want to read this?)
There are as many different readers, as there are writers. You will find your niche. You belong. Write on.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
Impatience. Really.
I had no patience to try traditional publishing, mostly because my books “fall between the cracks” in terms of cozy mysteries. The stories fall ‘around’ the cozy mystery genre, but really are more comedic. Mina’s mysteries are really vehicles for humor, and situation comedy.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Isn’t it fantastic how many readers there are in the world, and the number is growing?
I have no experience with traditional publishing, so I really don’t feel it’s my place to comment. However, in terms of independent publishers and authors, I think the field is very competitive in a GOOD way – the bar is constantly being raised, which means better and better writers… and hopefully, happy and satisfied readers.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Right now, “cozy mystery” or “funny mystery” is it. I do have an outline in the works for a YA series. More on that, later.
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Lizz Lund Home Page Link
Link To Lizz Lund Page On Amazon
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