Interview with Terri Reed

Today, I’ll be chatting with Terri Reed who has two new books from Steeple Hill. Double Deception and Beloved Enemy: Book 3 of the Secrets of Stoneley.

LISA: Terri, tell us your initial reaction in finding out you sold your first book? In other words, tell us about. . .THE CALL

TERRI: I was driving my son to lunch before taking him to kindergarten when my cell phone rang. I saw it was a long distance number and thought it had something to do with my dad’s passing (he’d passed away the prior week) so it didn’t occur to me that it might be a publisher. I answered, wary that it was a creditor or something and the editor had to repeat who she was before it sunk in. Then I was like, I’m driving! Can you call me back? When I hung up I called several people to share my news with and no one was home! Even my husband wasn’t answering his phone. So, I just giggled with my son.

LISA: Tell us some of the background behind the idea for your latest releases and blurb about the stories themselves.

TERRI: My March book is part of a continuity series. Each book is about one of the six Blanchard sisters who are knee deep in mystery and intrigue regarding the death of their mother. The books are loosely based on Shakespeare plays. My book, Beloved Enemy, is a take off of Romeo and Juliet. I had a great deal of fun incorporating the old bards theme with the suspense plot and the romance.

LISA: What a fun idea, Terri! I find in my own writing that I often grow alongside my characters, especially spiritually. Is there a character who you relate to and who made an input on your life?

TERRI: I think each character has a trace of me in them. In my 2006 RITA finalist book, A Sheltering Love, I really identified with my heroine and her need to take care of others. She had to learn to let go and let God. A concept I sometimes struggle with.

LISA: What is the number one thing you’ve learned from your writing journey?

TERRI: I’ve learned to be patience, to persevere, to prioritize and to protect the work. I’ve also learned to trust my writing and not give in to the self-doubt.

LISA: Any future plans for your writing you’d like to share? Any specific dreams you’d like to accomplish in the area of writing?

TERRI: I’m hoping to write a historical for Steeple Hill.

LISA: Because I know there are many aspiring writers out there, can you share any tidbits of wisdom on getting published?

TERRI: Never stop learning and honing your craft, treat your writing like a business and consider each step a mile stone whether a rejection, a contest final or a book sold.

LISA: Any writer’s resources you could recommend?

TERRI: Dwight Swain’s book Techniques of the Selling Writer is invaluable.
Christopher Vogler’s book The Writer’s Journey is a great way of understanding story.

LISA: What is the process you use when writing a mystery/suspense?

TERRI: So far my process has changed with each book because each book has presented a different challenge.

LISA: What is your system to keep the story/clues organized?

TERRI: I wish I could say I have everything typed out on index cards and color flagged. But I’m not that organized. I have little notes to myself all over the place, some on sticky notes, and others on used envelopes or the back of manuscript pages. When I’m writing, I’m very messy. Thankfully, my office has doors

LISA: You sound as if you’re describing me.  Thanks so much for stopping by and chatting with us today, Terri! And for the rest of you, don’t forget about our contest page. I’ve just posted the contest for the chance to win not one, but TWO of Terri’s latest books! Thank you, Terri! We will hold the drawing for Terri’s books next Monday.

To learn more about Terri and her books, be sure to check out her website