A Visit with L.F. Crawford

L.F. Crawford holds an M.A. in Psychology – handy in developing characters and their murderous motivations. She started writing 16 years ago and is an award-winning author of over 14 books. One of the things she enjoys most about her job is the research – which recently included a helicopter ride in a Robinson-22. Beverly Hills Voodoo, featuring Detectives Murry and Kidman – and a touch of the supernatural – was the first book in her current suspense series. The sequel, Fortune Cookie Karma followed and, Bad Moon Rising, the third book in the series is now out in hardcover. Three of her books were nominated for the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewers Choice award for Best Mystery. ). Two have been on the publisher’s bestseller list. Her books have won the Eppie for Best Mystery and been a finalist for Best Mystery three times.

Louise, why are your novels referred to as smart, sexy suspense?

I used the word SMART because I get irritated when a character does something stupid in order for the plot to work. So, I hope I never get that complaint from a reader. SEXY because I've written some romantic suspense novels (like Blaize of Glory, Hat Trick, and 12 Jagged Steps), and SUSPENSE because that's primarily what I've been writing for the last 10 years.

Some of your books involve voodoo. How long have you been interested in the occult?

I actually had a dream about two detectives talking about a homicide case where a woman had been beheaded and her head was missing. That was the beginning of Beverly Hills Voodoo. Then I needed to figure out why the woman had been beheaded and after tons of research, decided voodoo would be the most interesting to delve into and would also allow me to create some great characters.

How much research do you conduct before you actually begin writing? And what’s the most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of research?

Sometimes I leave the setting/location research until last. Usually I research as I write, and rewrite. When I started writing Beverly Hills Voodoo, Detective Murry didn't have a twin brother. But he showed up and I loved him. He was a famous opera star and Murry got ribbed to death at work because of it. I then researched opera and how much training it takes for someone to become an opera singer. I did a lot of research on Haiti's history for my Haitian characters and my voodoo sorcerer. Readers have told me they learned a lot about voodoo that they didn't know--in a fun way.

Tell us about your latest novel.

Bad Moon Rising, my third Murry/Kidman novel deals with the aftermath of the previous book. You don't have to have read the second book, but in the third book, Murry is separated, hurting, and Billy Kidman and Murry's brother take him on a getaway, get-over-her cruise. Only there's a Jamaican werewolf on board who's taught his psychpathic girlfriend his family's secret of shapeshifting. This leads to murder and to Billy becoming a prime suspect while the ship is docked in New Orleans. Murry must rise from his depression and drinking to prove his partner's innocence. Ultimately, Murry ends up on Jamaica, hunted by werewolves determined to keep their secret hidden. I'd wanted to write this book ever since I had a Jamaican woman tell me a story about how fathers pass on shapeshifting ability to their sons--at least there's a legend about it.

Have you ever been so frustrated with marketing your work that you considered giving up writing?

All the time. I've decided to do what I can. I have a day job as we writers like to say--that isn't writing. And I'm not someone who enjoys being in a spotlight. I am a good speaker, I've been told, and I actually enjoy speaking to groups about writing or my experiences in the business, but I don't do as much as I see others doing--and it does effect sales.

You’ve won a number of awards. Which means the most to you?

I think the Eppie for Best Mystery (for Hat Trick) because even though Hat Trick and Beverly Hills Voodoo were both finalists I had little confidence in my writing. I remember the first award I ever won, I discounted it as a fluke. And when I won an award for Hat Trick I began to think that maybe I could do this crazy thing called writing.

Have any of your characters ever refused to do what you want them to do? And have you ever painted yourself into a corner?

Yes, I've had characters not do what I wanted them to do. Usually because I was having problems with the plot, like painting my character into a corner with no way out, and I've wanted the character to do something he/she wouldn't do, in order to solve the problem. I ended up either revising and/or rewriting the entire book, or my character found a way out that I had no notion of until I got stuck.

How difficult was it for you to “hire” an agent?

It was much more difficult to find one who didn't leave the business before selling my book. I ended up selling my first two books myself. Right now I'm looking for an agent for my latest suspense novel about a female helicopter pilot whose childhood memories start to return, causing her to nearly crash in a helicopter stunt, and a whole slew of problems emerge as she tries NOT to remember and get on with her life.

Advice to aspiring suspense novelists?

Write what you know or would love to learn about. If you're bored, your reader will be, too. Don't give up. If you enjoy writing then it's worth the time and effort. If you want feedback on your writing and support, find a good critique group that can give you both.

Thanks, Louise.

You can visit Louise Crawford at her web and blog site: http://www.lfcrawford.com/ and my blog is posted there. My Facebook url: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000260742615&sk=wall and my twitter url: www.twitter.com/lfcrawford.