Author Bio: Debbi Mack is the NY Times bestselling author of the Sam McRae
and the Erica Jensen mystery series and other novels, a screenwriter, and
producer of two podcasts: the Crime Cafe and Dark and Twisted Alleys: A Film
Noir Podcast, co-hosted with crime writer F.R. Jameson. She loves books,
movies, Travel, cats, espresso, and Doctor Who—not necessarily in that
order. You can find her online at debbimack.com.

Deliah Lawrence: What
is your writing process?

Debbi Mack:  I tend to outline after I
get the germ of an idea. I usually write from the first person, so I try to
plan out the key moments of the story in terms of the main character’s feelings
in that moment, how revelatory they should feel. I also start with a type of
ending in mind. All of this is subject to change, based largely on where the
characters lead me. So, I start with a bare outline and improvise from there.

One nice thing
about writing a series is that you get to know your cast of characters really
well. You know which ones to use in various situations your protagonist deals
with. On the other hand, writing a standalone novel lets you start with a fresh
slate, which can be both intimidating and freeing.

Any time I tackle
a new story, I’ll do enough research to feel comfortable describing the main
character and the situation she (and it’s usually, but not always, a she) finds
herself in. I don’t try to do too much research, because there’s a point of diminishing
returns, where you’re just going down a rabbit hole and not writing. I try to
do enough to make the story feel real. Otherwise, I just start writing, and
research further as needed.

I also tend to
keep a fairly tight schedule and get in a little writing every day.

DL: Is there a
specific author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as
an adult?

DM: I could give you a long list, but I’ll limit it to these:

The Nancy Drew
mysteries—typical female mystery author response, I know. But I used to love
these as a child. Along with the Cherry Ames books, which a few of us remember.
Clearly, they led me to a life of crime fiction.

Everything Ross
Macdonald wrote. But if I have to pick one, I’ll make it The Ivory Grin, which is about as representative of his writing as anything. He
wrote the sort of thing I tend to write about—broken families, secrets and
lies, the rich and unhappy, hidden agendas—so I get lots of inspiration from
his work.

Finally, Bird
by Bird by Anne LaMott. Because it taught me to take everything one step at
a time.

DL: What tips
would you give to aspiring writers?

DM: Don’t aspire. Just write. Even if it’s
just a daily journal. Write and keep writing.

But if what you
really aspire to is be a published author, be prepared to have your work
critiqued by others. That’s all part of the deal. And not everyone will love
your work. Not everyone loves mine, but I’m not trying to appeal to everyone.

The people who
“get you” will want to read you. The rest you can forget about.

DL: What are three
books you’ll never part with?

DM: Um, wow. I ask myself that a lot, because I tend to hold onto
books. I could start a whole library at this point.

Death is a Lonely
Business by Ray Bradbury. My Dad bought it
for me at Powell’s Books when I was on vacation in Portland, Oregon. And it’s a
fantastic read.

Screenplay by Syd Field. This may be the single most helpful book I’ve read
about story structure. Especially if you’re just starting out, and the 12-Step
Hero’s Journey is just a bit too much to absorb all at once.

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton. Because … Sue Grafton. I also own a used book
club edition of that one.

DL: What are three
fun facts about yourself?

DM: 1. I worked my way through college in a variety of interesting
jobs. Among other things, I was a substitute school bus driver. That’s how I
learned how to drive a stick shift. It’s also how I met my husband.

2. I was once a
volunteer EMT (emergency medical technician) with the Hillandale Volunteer Fire
Department of Montgomery County, Maryland.

3. I have survived
several life-threatening situations. So many I’ve stopped counting.

DL: If you could
choose a superpower, what would it be and why?

DM: I’d like to be either a magician or a miracle worker. Who
wouldn’t want to perform miracles or magic?

DL: If you were
hosting a dinner party, which three authors, past or present, would be your
dream guests and why?

DM: Dorothy Parker, Terry Pratchett, and George Orwell. I admire all
of them and can only imagine the conversation we’d have.

DL:  What projects are you currently working on?

DM: Right at the moment, I’m working on my third Erica Jensen novel.
I’m still pondering the title, but she ends up investigating the mysterious
death of someone she worked with during her deployment. Erica’s a Marine
veteran, weaning herself off opioids and lingering PTSD, who manages to stumble
over a body now and then.

I also write
screenplays—scads of them—as of this writing, still unproduced. But working on
it.

I also have two
ongoing projects. Well, three really.

I have two
podcasts: the Crime Cafe podcast, where I interview crime, suspense, and
thriller writers. The other one is Dark and Twisted Alleys: A Film Noir
Podcast, in which crime and horror author F.R. Jameson and I trade witticisms
and criticisms about a different film noir once a month.

I’m also gathering
an extraordinary collection of videos from the public domain, which I upload to
YouTube periodically. Now and then, I cut it up into segments and blog it as
the Saturday Matinee.

DL: Would you like
to share an excerpt from your work?

DM: Sure. Here’s an excerpt from
the second chapter of Fatal Connections, the latest in the Erica Jensen
mystery series:

I wondered about
this so-called emergency. The neighborhood was as quiet as a morgue. I was
still wondering why Marian would call me but not the police.

I was actually in
the process of wrapping up my background check on their candidate for a
personal assistant. Before I started the job, Nick told me that the Harcourts
had a publicist and a business manager. I wondered why they needed yet another
assistant, but who was I to judge? And Money is money.

So, I took the
gig. Even though I was adding final touches to the written report, I had the
distinct sense that I had missed something.

I tucked my
handgun—a Sig Sauer P320—into my waistband, careful to hide the gun’s bulge under my
jacket, and left my Fiesta parked on the street. I doubted that many people
were out this early on a Saturday morning, but with my luck, the neighborhood
could be rife with morning joggers or other early risers. Scanning the grounds,
I eased toward the front door. Anticipation made me a little itchy.

It was just past
mid-March. Too soon for the warmer part of spring. I gave the door three raps
and clutched my jacket against the chill air as I waited. Time passed. Then I
rang the doorbell. Still no answer.

I pressed my ear
to the door and thought I heard an indistinct murmuring inside. The only other
sound was that of distant traffic from the main road.

DL: Where can
readers learn more about you and purchase your books?

DM: You can find me at various places:

• My website: debbimack.com
• My blogs: 
• https://www.debbimack.com/project/blog/
• https://debbimacktoo.wordpress.com/ (a blog
  about movies)
• https://debbimackblogs.com/ (an indie author’s
  writing journey)
• https://randomandsundrythings.wordpress.com/
  (bits and bobs)
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbimackwriter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbimacktoo/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DebbiMack
• Book buy links: https://www.debbimack.com/books/ (links to
  all my books)
• Or you can buy
  direct from me here: https://payhip.com/debbimack

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers
will enjoy getting to know you and your work.

DM: Thanks for the opportunity to do the interview!

Originally Published on https://vocalexpressions.blogspot.com

Deliah Lawrence Attorney, Author, Blogger, Workshop Facilitator

Deliah Lawrence is a Maryland-based attorney and award-winning author of two romantic suspense novels (Gotta Let It Go and Gotta Get It Back) set in Baltimore. She’s also a blogger and workshop facilitator who writes poetry and short stories.

When Deliah isn’t writing, you can find her reading a book, indulging in her addiction to investigation discovery shows; or painting her yet-to-be exhibited oil artworks of landscapes, portraits or whatever else comes to her creative mind. Constantly on the go, she is also a member of the Black Writers’ Guild of Maryland and Sisters in Crime.