Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Los Angeles and have always been a mystery-lover. After majoring in English in high school, I switched to Art — my other passion — in college. After doing years of corporate writing, I rediscovered my love of creative writing about fifteen years ago. I now have a drawer full of manuscripts — all ready for revision! Clementine’s Shadow is my first published work and, after so many years of trying, it’s kind of odd — and exciting — to know strangers are reading my work.
I’m someone who likes to keep busy and always have several projects going at a time. (Though I argue the point, my husband classes me as a Type A. I’m lobbying to be a Type B with A tendencies. The jury is still out on that one…) In addition to writing, I spend a fair chunk of time drawing, painting, practicing yoga, cat-wrangling and gardening.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Clementine’s Shadow focuses on the disappearance of a six-year-old girl from a summer concert and the hunt to find her. The challenge of telling a story from multiple points of view is what first drew me to this idea. I settled on four POVs with a tight timeline, where all the characters end up in the same place trying to rescue the little girl. Because of the multiple POVs, I envisioned it as a standalone, but lately I’ve started thinking about future story lines for two of the characters. Set in the California High Desert in a former mining town, the title came while I was researching mines and early mining methods. The lyrics to My Darling Clementine (attributed to Percy Montrose) stopped me cold. While I remember singing the opening verses as a child — and hearing the cartoon character, Huckleberry Hound, croon the song as well — I never learned the other verses and was surprised at the content. The idea of “How I missed her, how I messed her, how I missed my Clementine. So I kissed her little sister, and forgot my Clementine” struck me as pretty creepy — and more or less perfect for my story. So I named the peak that looms above the mine, Clementine Ridge.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to mix things up in terms of writing on the computer and writing long-hand. I feel like I engage my brain in different ways when I alternate these two approaches. Other than that, access to my cache of dark chocolate is essential when writing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
While I have always read across genres, Sue Grafton, Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, C.J. Box, Tana French, Jo Nesbo and Jan Burke have been huge influences on my writing and I’ve read all their mysteries.
What are you working on now?
I tend to juggle a lot of projects, but I do have a series in the works which focuses on locksmith and security expert Folsom Munion. I think with any character — and particularly in a series — the experiences a character goes through during the course of a novel should change them in some way — whether or not that change is for the better. I’ve mapped out the plots for three mysteries featuring Folsum, with each tale taking her further over the line in terms of breaking and entering.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve had good success on Goodreads, Whizzbuzz, and Omnimystery News plus several writing-related Facebook sites — such as Suspense/Thriller Writers Saturday Self-Promotion, Authors and Book Lovers, and Books. I’ve also found a wonderful review site at: catesbooknuthut.wordpress.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find a good writers group then listen to what they say about your work. You need to find your voice but also pay heed to feedback — both positive and negative. It’s a tough balancing act to hear what beta readers say, clarify any questions that arise yet remain true to your vision.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’m not going to get this exactly right, but Elmore Leonard said something along the lines of: Cut out the boring parts. If you want to keep someone reading, that’s a good line to live by.
What are you reading now?
Jodi Picoult’s ‘House Rules.’ Picoult handles multiple POV so well.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m currently editing Erasing Ramona, a standalone mystery set in Mill Valley, CA. The story begins in 1994 but flashes back to a Manson-style murder committed in 1984. The protagonist has spent the last ten years of her life hiding from her past, but the death of her father draws her home again — and unleashes her worst fears.
What is your favorite book of all time?
That’s a tough one. As a child, it would have been Johnny Tremaine and, as a tween, The Outsiders. But for the last couple decades, I’d have to say it’s a solid tie between Snow Falling on Cedars and Angle of Repose. The prose in both is incredible.
Author Websites and Profiles
Peggy Rothschild Website
Peggy Rothschild Amazon Profile
Peggy Rothschild’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account