Pump Up Your Book Chats with Cozy Mystery Author Jackie Griffey

Jackie Griffey will be right in this very spot live on Friday, Jan. 15 from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m., answering any questions you may have about her book. Leave a question or comment (along with your email address) anytime (get in early!) between now and 11 p.m. on Jan. 15 and you may win a free copy of her cozy mystery novel, The Devil in Merrivale (Zumaya Enigma).  One lucky winner will be announced on Jan. 16.  Thank you and good luck!

When she’s not reading one, Jackie Griffey is more than likely working on a cozy mystery or a romance-suspense novel. She and her family live in Arkansas and she loves to meet and hear from readers and fellow writers. Her web is www.jackiegriffey.com and her blog, Breaktime With Jackie is jjgbreaktimewithjackie.blogspot.com.

Thank you for this interview, Jackie.  Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later?  Do you remember your first published piece?

The writing bug came so much later I’ll keep it to myself, lol. The inspiration for my first published novel really came thirty years before I submitted it and got it published. All that time I didn’t realize I was actually doing research as well as just pursuing a time and subject which interested me. This was the yellow epidemic in the reconstruction period after the war between the states. I’ll put the story on my blog if anyone wants to read about how I ‘got hooked’ on this historical novel, lol.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

I think every writer I know would say the most frustrating thing about getting anything published is the time involved. It take so long to get the manuscript out, to get it read, and then the  wait to see if it’s accepted or not. Then a lot more time is involved in the editing, ancillary information, and other things. I think time involved in all this is the most frustrating thing about getting published.

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life?  Do you have support?

I was married to my Darling Companion, Jim the Gem :-), when I started writing and he was very supportive. He passed away June 29, 2007, the worst day of my life. I miss him every day but am blessed with two wonderful grown children and family plus fellow readers and writers both locally and in cyber space. I know he would approve of this interview and The Devil in Merrivale which will be out soon.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?  Where do you like to vacation?  Can you tell us briefly about this?

We live in Cabot, near Little Rock, Arkansas with lots of great places to visit. Hot Springs, Eureka Springs, Memphis, TN, St. Louis and New Orleans are all within easy driving distance. My favorite thing in spring and summer is enjoying our yard,  flowers, shrubs, azaleas, and a huge Magnolia tree Jim planted for me thirty years ago. All year long I enjoy shopping with my daughter, we cook and eat out and have a ball in or during the shopping trips. And we will never, never, ever, be without a good supply of our favorite author’s books.

The Devil of Merrivale by Jackie Griffey

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

With Jim on cloud nine or listening to one of the ‘big bands’ with him. I would have gone with  him but I wasn’t invited. Got a few more books to write I guess lol.

Who is your biggest fan?

It’s a tie between my daughter, Marita, and my sister, Mary Lou.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

A back bedroom where my daughter and I have our computers, printers, and lots of books. Jim called my writing ‘working in the back room’ lol.

What’s your favorite library and why?

The local cabot Library here in my home town because I like the librarian and the staff and they are very supportive too. They have all my books to date. A close second would be the new, huge, and gorgeous library in nearby Jacksonville, AR, a new library where I was invited and spoke at their grand opening.

What’s your favorite bookstore and why?

There are two. Barnes and Noble in North Little Rock because of all the good shopping nearby and my daughter and I like their coffee at Starbucks.

Do you have any pets?

A fierce four and a half inches high Chihuahua watch dog; a ‘mature’ brindle domestic kitty whose name ‘baby kitty’ stuck. Then there’s Coco, Torti cat which is a combination black Persion and calico which I suspect is part cayote. She runs like a horse through the house, growls like a dog, and she bites! Look up Torti cats on the net, it will broaden your education.

What are you reading right now?

Sue Grafton’s new book U is for Undertow and Cleo Coyle’s Holiday Grind.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

I am waiting for Books in Motion to schedule one of my books for their autio, MP3 and other goodies on their list. I’ve returned the contract and I hope it will be soon. See, there’s that waiting problem again lol.

What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone?

Their smile.

Have you ever won anything?

The best husband in the world and a couple of things from the bank near where I used to work. They gave prizes and gifts a lot before I retired. I always buy ‘chances’ when our children or senior citizens have raffles but my luck mostly parallels Murphy’s Law. You know, ‘whatever can happen will, and at the very worst time.’ lol.

What’s on your to do list today?

Working in the back room; doing a little pre-Christmas decorating; working ‘in the back room’ and if I have time baking some cookies.

Thank you for this interview, Jackie Good luck on your virtual book tour!