Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a world traveler who has finally settled down. My overactive imagination needed an outlet and the result is seven books, with many more started. I have the playful young adult side of me that writes The Spotted series, about a 12 yr old girl and her car (whose actually her guard). Then there is the darker adult side that writes the murder mystery/thrillers. I live with three cats that whisper ideas into my head or at least provide entertainment when I take a break from writing.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a sequel to Bantering With Murder. The sequel is titled Bantering With A Gun. I like titles with puns in them or a description of the book. Banter is the name of the main characters, a female gun-for-hire. I like strong female characters and thought the unlikely pair of a gun-for-hire and a police detective made for a great romance. However, they have now evolved into a wonderful crime fighting duo.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sit in a lounge chair with a cup of tea. I do a couple of crossword puzzles to get my brain working. Then its off to the world of my overactive imagination. I can write thousands of words a day. I tend to read and reread what I have written to fine tune scenes or my selection of words.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There is no one author or book that has influenced me. I have had editors and mentors who have had more influence, telling me to find my own voice. Now that I have, I almost fear to read someone else’s work for fear they will change me. I, of course, have read other works. Some from new authors who have excellent ideas, but need to work on their writing skills and some from old authors, where I wonder how the heck they got published in the first place. The English language is ever evolving and writers must evolve as well.
What are you working on now?
I am working on editing Bantering With A Gun, which is a sequel to Bantering With Murder, a mystery/thriller novel. Each novel can stand on its own, but the sequel continues six months after the first book. I am also working on a sequel to A String of Murder, another mystery/thriller.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am always finding ways to get the word out on who I am and my writing. I am still looking for that magic spot. I have my own website and started a blog so people can get an idea of what is going on in my head or where I am with the next novel. I also belong to numerous writer/author/book groups on facebook.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read and reread your work. Read it out loud. If it doesn’t sound right, rewrite it. Find beta readers and listen to what they say. I had a beta reader tell me a particular chapter in Bantering With Murder was good but didn’t belong where it was. I disagreed, but after thinking it over, agreed to move it. Now I can’t even remember where the chapter was originally and it works well where it now is. Always accept criticism. Never get offended. And edit, edit, and edit some more.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve received came from an editor. I had the habit of always using ‘as’ instead of since or because or while. Once I realized I was doing it, it made me take a new look at some of the words I used. My writing became much stronger.
What are you reading now?
I’m actually reading a sign language book and learning how to sign.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am editing Bantering With a Gun. There is a third sequel in the works, Bantering With A Dandy, a sequel for A String of Murder called Conducting A Murder String, and a fantasy novel with dragons name Dragon Matriarch.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The first four Harry Potter books.
Author Websites and Profiles
SJ Wilke Website