Authors To Watch: MaryAnn Kempher Author MOCHA, MOONLIGHT, AND MURDER #authorstowatch

For many years, MaryAnn Kempher lived in Reno Nevada where most of her stories are set. Her books are an entertaining mix of mystery and humor. She lives in the Tampa Florida area with her husband, two children, and a very snooty Chorkie.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

Website: http://www.mkempher.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryAnnKempher/

 

 

One night, 28-year-old, Katherine O’Brian, decides to walk to an all-night diner. The only problem?

It’s midnight, but Katherine lives in Reno Nevada, a city that never sleeps; she can clearly see the diner’s lights in the distance. It’s no big deal, until she passes someone’s garage where a man is loading a dead body into the trunk of his car.

And now, she’s in trouble. She outran the man that night, and while she has no idea who he is, he knows who she is. And he wants her dead.

As if attempts on her life weren’t stressful enough, Katherine has gone back to college. She’s determined to finally finish her degree, but her lab partner is driving her crazy. He’s hot, but annoying. And she’s not sure which she wants more—a night of mad, passionate sex or a new lab partner. It varies from day to day.

Will Katherine give in to her lust for her partner or will she give in to her desire to throttle him? If she’s in the ground before graduation, it won’t matter.
Not your typical romance, not your typical mystery.

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Amazon → https://amzn.to/2OkHlii

We welcome you to My Bookish Pleasures! Can you tell us how you got started writing fiction?

Most writers I’ve known will tell you that they’ve been writing all their lives. However, I became a writer in an unusual way. I don’t recall giving writing much thought until one day after reading an on-line article that got me to thinking. Out of the blue, I turned to my husband and said, “I think I’m gonna write a book.” That book took me nearly five years from start to publication, but book two was published the same year and books three-through seven were published one per year. That first book, Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder, ended up being dramatically different from the original concept, but from that book on, I was hooked.

Describe your writing process. Do you plot or write by the seat of your pants? When and where do you write?

Both. When I first start a book, after brainstorming, I’ll write three or four scene starters. For instance, I’ll create a table in Word and make rows. The first three rows might be something like: 

Jack and Curt go see the Chief of Police

Jack interviews murder victim’s family.

Curt interviews girlfriend

I’ll do this until I have at least ten scene ideas

After I’m well into writing the book, I’m much more seat-of-my pants. The words just flow from my mind to the keyboard. I usually will write, after work, at a local Starbucks or Barnes&Noble.

Of all your characters from book one, Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder, which character is your favorite? Why?

I don’t want to give too much away, but there is a detective in book one that I like very much. He’s smart, handsome, and a huge flirt. Naturally, I like Katherine O’Brian, my main character a lot—but the detective is a special character.

What was the most challenging aspect of writing your book?

It takes serious discipline to write a book. The book won’t write itself. So, for me, the hardest part of writing a book is—writing the book. Finding the time, the energy and sitting down and doing it. I love to write, but I’m easily distracted by the TV or refrigerator. 

What projects are you currently working on?

Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder is book one of a seven book series. I just published book seven in January 2020, so I’m taking a break. After a short break, I’ll begin writing a new series, sort of a spin-off—focusing on two of the supporting, but very beloved, characters from books two through seven.

What advice would you offer to new or aspiring fiction authors?

Don’t just sit down at the computer and start writing, not with your first book. With your first book, at least, you’ll need preparation. Go to the bookstore or library, take out self-help books on writing and on writing your genre. If your book is set someone unfamiliar, take a trip there, take notes.  Brainstorm and just know—the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. You’ll edit, you’ll revise. So, don’t be too hard on yourself if you re-read a paragraph or chapter and think, “This stinks.” It won’t always stink.