And now, another interview from the Cozy Up to Crime Storybundle, this time, with T. Thorn Coyle!
T. Thorn Coyle Cozy up to Crime
Sushi Scandal
Why are you attracted to writing cozy? What’s special to you about the genre?
For decades, I’ve read cozy mystery when times felt hard. They provided a great escape into a world where puzzles got solved and order was restored with minimal violence or angst. The other things I love about cozies is that regular people—not professionals—solve the crimes. There’s something about not waiting for an outside authority to solve our problems that really speaks to me.
Add in terrific settings and quirky characters, and I’m sold!
What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned while writing cozy?
How much fun they are! And how great it is to play around with character voice and cozy settings. But the main thing is that for some reason, I used to think I couldn’t write mystery. That it was too difficult. When I finally allowed myself to take the plunge into my first cozy series, starting with Bookshop Witch, I realized that my subconscious is smarter than I ever realized, and that my characters knew how to work together to figure out the mystery, even though I had no clue going in! This not knowing has turned out to be a boon, because readers say they can’t figure out who-done-it! That’s because I often don’t surface that information until very late in the writing of each novel.
What do you love most about the story or novel that’s in this story bundle?
Corgis! Writing in corgi Marsha P. Johnson’s voice was just a delight. I get to put myself into a dog’s head, with a dog’s senses and point of view. And Marsha’s point of view is very low to the ground!
The other thing I love is the colorful cast of characters in my little village-within-a-city. The denizens of Pride Street are wacky, fun, and have hearts of gold. Well, most of them do, anyway!
What are you working on right now, and what’s coming out next?
I’m taking a short break from my two cozy paranormal series and working on contemporary fantasy. Book One of the Rhymer of Ash Grove series is called The Winding Road and will launch on Kickstarter this May.
Where can people find you and more of your work?
I’m active on most social media and have a weekly newsletter. People can sign up for that or find out more about my books at thorncoyle.com
And be sure to go check out the Cozy Up to Crime Storybundle!
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