Apr

15

Innerspace Author Interview: Meet Cozy Mystery Author Bernadette Steele

April 15, 2008 |


No Tags

Today I am pleased to introduce debut mystery writer Bernadette Steele. Her cozy murder mystery novel, The Poetry of Murder is available at any bookseller and at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

Blurb/summary of book

Aspiring African American poet, Geneva Anderson learns that an inheritance can be a blessing and a curse. After her aunt, Victoria Franklin, the director of the International House of Chicago, is murdered, Geneva’s life is unraveled by a mysterious inheritance and a murder charge. With the help of her best friend, Zain Valdez, Geneva decides to investigate her aunt’s murder.

Geneva’s investigation leads her to the revelation that her beloved aunt led a secret life and that the list of suspects even includes her academically accomplished neighbors. Set against the backdrop of the International House at the University of Chicago where cultural exchange, scholarship and the arts are celebrated, The Poetry of Murder, takes readers through a labyrinth of revenge, deceit, and blackmail.

Do you set writing goals and write them down?

Yes, I set writing goals, and I write them down. With respect to individual projects, I create a schedule for research, outlining, writing, and editing.

Do you set goals for your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of your life with specific action steps and deadlines?

Yes, I set goals regarding getting in better shape, relieving stress and learning how to manage my emotions. I set deadlines, but I don’t beat myself up if I miss them. For example, I am currently working with a personal trainer to lose some weight, a rolfer to improve my posture, and in May, I will start taking yoga lessons to help with managing stress and increasing my flexibility.

What aspects of your own life are woven into your book?

I have issues regarding loneliness and my interaction with the opposite sex. I am one of those people who can be in a crowded room and still be lonely. I don’t do very well when it comes to attracting the opposite sex. In the novel, I included these items in the storyline by having Geneva attend therapy sessions where she works through her issues of loneliness. I touched upon her problems with the opposite sex by having her be secretly in love with the leader of her poetry workshop.

How do you spark your creativity?

My creativity is sparked by reading magazine articles, news stories and also by just listening to other peoples’ stories about their own lives.

How do you relax?

I relax by drawing, watching movies, and taking long walks.

What do you enjoy doing with friends?

I enjoy seeing movies, playing miniature golf, or taking long walks.

What quality do you most desire to develop in yourself as a person?

I want to increase my level of patience and outlook on life as a whole.

What themes and/or issues predominate in your work?

Revenge and the false social images that people project to those around them.

What is better about your life now than it was 5 years ago?

I know that I want to commit my time and energy to my writing career, therefore, I am more focused about my activities. I have confidence that I can write more novels and other types of works because I have completed and published at least one novel.

What was the most important lesson you learned about yourself as a person during the writing of your book?

I learned that I have the ability to see my dreams through to the end and to never give up.

Tags: , , , , ,

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • BlinkList
  • De.lirio.us
  • Furl
  • NewsVine
  • PopCurrent
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
Please join in the conversation - leave a comment!

Ronda Del Boccio, The Story Lady of Storyation.com is an author, dynamic speaker, author coach, story coach.

She is the author of I'll Push, You Steer: The Definitive Guide to Stumbling Through Life with Blinders On

The Kama Sutra of Storytelling: Positioning, Power and Profit

and her upcoming book...
The Geometry of Success: 5 Simple Shapes that Shape Your Life   Print This Post Print This Post
Email This Post Email This Post

Comments

2 Comments so far

  1. VirtualBookTour on April 16, 2008 12:41 pm

    What a great interview. It’s smart to set goals, but not kill yourself over them. Good luck with your tour, Bernadette.

    Cheryl

  2. Bernadette Steele on April 17, 2008 6:24 pm

    Hello,

    I would like to thank the host of Innerspace: Awaken the Hero Within for being a stop on my virtual book tour.

    Also, I would like to invite readers to submit comments or to ask questions. I will be checking the site throughout the month.

    Sincerely,
    Bernadette Steele

Name

Email

Website

Speak your mind






Related Posts:

Author Camille Marchetta’s InnerSpace Interview Makes Front Page of RedRoomInnerSpace Author Interview: Meet Dr. Mike Davison, Your Destiny DoctorInnerSpace LIVE Author Interview: Where Does Manifestation REALLY Begin? Dyan Garris says—Innerspace LIVE Author Interview: Meet Quantum Leap Specialist and Bestselling Author Tracy RepchukInnerSpace Author Interviews

dfvdfvcbcvcvbc
Please participate and share your thoughts, experiences and wisdom by leaving a comment!
All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. Comments are owned by the Poster.
And this is the disclaimer set in the admin options
Viral Storytelling with The Story Lady, Ronda Del Boccio © 2008