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An Author Interview and A Book Giveaway! Maddie Cochere!

JackieP

Today I have a treat for you. My first ever author interview and a book giveaway.

My bestest buddy Maddie Cochere has graciously consented to be my guinea pig  first author interview. She’s a wonderful author and a beautiful person.

Maddie is the author of the Susan Hunter Mystery books. She has just published her first book on her new series Two Sisters and a Journalist. “Murder Under Construction” is a fun, great read from the first sentence to the last. And I’m not just saying that because she’s my very good friend. It’s true. Maddie has a way with words that make even murder funny.

Maddie has also told me that she would be more than happy to give away three e-book copies of her new book “Murder Under Construction” to three commentors. These would be given to three people who will be drawn randomly from the comment section. I will notify the winners via email in a few days.

This is what Amazon has as a book description:

Jo Ravens is thirty-two, divorced, and stuck in a rut. She wants two things in life – a new career as a private investigator, and to lose the sixty pounds she packed on after her divorce.

When she crashes her nephew’s bike in a construction site, she lands on a girl with a large knife in her chest. Jo enlists her sister, Pepper, and their journalist friend, Jackie, to help solve the dead girl’s murder. Things become creepy for Jo when the murdered girl appears to her in dreams to offer unusual clues to her death.

Murder Under Construction is a humorous mystery with Jo’s family adding to the antics of the three women. Mama caterwauls, Jackie’s two children offer sleuthing assistance, and her brother, Hank, laughs at all of them from the sidelines. Murder Under Construction is light, easy-breezy reading from Maddie Cochere.

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Yes, did you notice what the journalist’s name is? No? I’ll give you a hint! It sounds a lot like my name! If you want to read how this came about go hop over to Maddie’s blog and find out! You can find her blog at Breezy Books on WordPress.

1. Who’s your favorite character in your books?

Great first question. I’ve never really thought about this before. I love Susan and Mick, and writing Nate into two of the books was a lot of fun, but I’d have to say Darby is my favorite character. He’s the best friend most girls would love to have. He’s understanding, a shoulder to cry on, fun to be with, and he likes to cook. I didn’t have plans to write him into the books, but I can’t imagine the books without him.

2. Who designed your book covers?

My niece, Gillian Soltis,  has provided all of the artwork for my covers. She graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design, and she’s presently a graphic designer for a large retailer. I generally know what I want on my covers. I cobble together horrible artwork with crayons, photos, and clip art. She then turns my mess into something I love every time. I think all of the covers portray exactly what you will find inside – something light, fun, not too serious – easy breezy reading!

3. How do you come up with your ideas for the books?

This question is a little tougher. The first response that came to mind was that I don’t come up with ideas. They come to me out of the blue and at odd times. I’m envious of people who have notebooks full of ideas and storylines to draw from. All I have for my next book is that I want Susan and Jo to meet via a Slimmers Weight Loss. I don’t have any of the details, but I know that little idea will become a book. I’m currently working on Murder Is Where the Heart Is. I went into it knowing who would be murdered, but I had no idea who would commit the crime, how, or why. I think this is something I do unconsciously. I focus on one story and don’t allow myself to think of others until I’m nearly finished with the current work in progress.

4. If you had only one piece of advice to new writers, what would it be? And why?

Have fun. Truly. Have fun writing. Enjoy your own work. Laugh at your humorous moments and cry over your sad ones. I wrote my first three books with no interaction or feedback from others outside of a few family members, and they were mostly laughing with me that I was writing books in the first place. I was having a blast, and I was writing books that would have pleased me if I had purchased them. I’ve read that we should write to please ourselves, and when we do, our work is more likely then to be pleasing to others. So, my advice is to have fun and write the books you want to write.

5. Have you later gone back and just hated something that you wrote in one of your books?

No. My books don’t have controversial topics, and I try to write with humor. I’m happy with everything I’ve published. I still laugh at my over-the-top moments, and I stand behind my particular brand of nonsense.

6. How much of you is in your books? Or is there a big piece of you in any of your books?

There are a considerable number of my life experiences in the books. Upset with a relationship, I really did run off to Florida without telling anyone. I went to the boat races with a guy I met on the beach, and we were run off the road on our way. The conversation Susan has with the first mate on the boat is nearly identical to the one I had when I was deep-sea fishing for shark. I went to New York City twice by myself. I walked and took taxis all over the city, and I met wonderful, lovely people everywhere I went. I did go to Greenwich Village for dinner with two strangers I met at a Broadway play – and yes, one of them was the sexy Chase Connor McLoughlin, III. We went dancing after dinner and closed down The Limelight (it was a disco then). Every book has aspects of my real life. My husband would tell you I was like Susan Hunter when we met, but that I am like Jo Ravens today.

7. What was the one thing that surprised you the most in writing your books?

I’m still amazed by how a story unfolds before me. I don’t outline. I’m not a plotter. I’m a pantster through and through. I write by the seat of my pants, and all I have to do is write a few sentences for the story to take off again. I’ve always said I can’t wait to get back to writing, so I can find out what happens next. I never knew writing would be this much fun.

Thank you for having me, Jackie. I enjoyed your questions, and I appreciate you’re highlighting my new release. I hope your readers will stop by my blog, too. You are the main topic of discussion there today. 🙂

Again, you can find a Maddie’s blog on Breezy Books here on WordPress. Thank you Maddie for a wonderful interview!

Remember people to comment so your name gets put into the drawing for a free e-book copy of Maddies’ book “Murder Under Construction.” And go visit Maddie’s blog!

Also, you find Maddies new book here on Amazon.

47 thoughts on “An Author Interview and A Book Giveaway! Maddie Cochere!”

  1. Pingback: Creating Characters | Breezy Books

  2. Pantster? Ummm, I don’t think that is English. Although it probably is in Maddie’s world.
    (I have already read this book and enjoyed it. You can skip this comment for the Give-a-way… someone else should get to enjoy her efforts.)
    …writes by the seat of her pants? What exactly does her keyboard look like?

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    1. Pantster is definately in Maddie’s world. haha! I will let Maddie answer about her keyboard, but I’m thinking it has lots of dust from her M & M’s. 😉
      Thanks for stopping in!

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  4. I, too, loved Murder Under Construction, and I can’t wait to read the next one in the series. No need to enter me in the contest since I’ve already read the book, but I enjoyed reading the interview!

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  5. Great interview Jackie it is good to be able to share some background knowledge on an author I look forward to reading Maddie’s book with the references to you I believe. It has become all the more attractive I am sure.

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    1. Thank you Goldy. She’s a really good writer and she edits the hell out of her books, maybe that’s why she doesn’t hate anything later? Glad you stopped in!

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  7. Nice interview! 🙂 I really like the part where Maddie says that you should write what you enjoy and I completely agree! The best book to write is the one you too would enjoy reading! Would really like to read her book.

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    1. Thanks MC, and you’re name is in the drawing. Good luck! I too think you should wirte what you enjoy writing, else how are we to really write well? Right? Thanks for coming by!

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  8. I have enjoyed reading Maddie’s books, and consider it an honor to call her my friend. She has helped and pushed me to continue to write when I really had given up. Thanks again for the interview…well done to both of you.

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      2. I know but it’s just not enough waking hours in a day. I discover so much from blog reading. Not to mention interaction. I read before I go to sleep that turns out to be maybe five pages before I fall off to sleep. Sigh I don’t know how people who retire can be bored.

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        1. Oh I understand Kim, as I have so many books I want to read and no time to do it in. I have heard most retired people complain they are more busy then when they worked. Who knows. I don’t think I would get bored.

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  10. I enjoyed your interview, Maddie. I’m similar to you in some respects…my characters often take hold of me and let me know how it’s going to be once my fingers hit the keyboard.

    Best Wishes,
    Val

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  13. I found you through Maddies blog and I have to say I loved the interview! I find it so interesting to see how a book comes together. Its really amazing that Maddie can just sit down and write and the story unfolds for her. Really great job interviewing her!

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  14. “We should write to please ourselves,” is possibly the truest thing I’ve ever read. Nor do I think many writers would disagree with this. Even with dark, desolate, gripping stories, it’s always a way for the author to purge themselves of bad thoughts or experiences in a way, isn’t it? I loved that observation. In fact, I enjoyed how positive and full of encouragement the whole interview was. It made my afternoon.

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    1. No problem Maddie, I know you’re busy writing and stuff. I look forward to hearing from you as always! 🙂

      And you deserve my thanks for willing to do this interview for me! You are a good friend.

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  17. Pingback: Announcing the winner of the Maddie Cochere Book giveaway! | To Breathe is to Write

  18. Thanks so much for doing this Jackie. Her stories sound like they are right up my ally. I’m heading over to Amazon to take a look. Love books with mystery and humor.You did a wonderful job with the interview and it was quite helpful. I’ve seen many of her comments but haven’t had a chance to drop by her blog. Wish they would expand daylight savings time to daylight adding time. I need longer 48 hr days. Where does the time go??? Hugs.

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    1. I really think you’ll like her books Marlene. She’s a funny woman and it shows in her books. Thank you, we had a lot of fun doing the interview.
      I understand about needing more time! hugs!

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  20. Good interview. I picked up some tips there. The author is encouraging and generous in advice. Definitely wanting to read the book now! I like the cover. Classic image.

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