I have read this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Since Marcia is a resident of San Diego, California, her books are set in that locale and I can relate to such things as the I-5 and 805 merging traffic. She writes like she knows what she's talking about, which she does.
Marcia, please tell us how long you've been writing?
Seems like all my life! I
wasn’t able to devote the time needed until I retired about nine
years ago. Since then I’ve published two books.
What type of writing do you normally do?
Since I first read Jane Eyre and Wuthering
Heights in high school, I’ve been drawn to the “coming of age” stories,
particularly those with a central mystery to solve with a touch of the
supernatural element thrown in for fun. My
Theo Hunter Mystery series introduces a heroine who is continually growing and
learning. Whether she faces a moral dilemma or a ruthless killer, she must
always decide just how far she will go to find the truth. Just as many young
people today (and throughout the ages) have had to hone their moral compass,
Theo is continually polishing her own compass and forever evolving.
Give us a brief synopsis of your book.
All HELL just broke loose in San
Diego— and investigative reporter Theo Hunter is caught in the middle of it.
The slaying of a retired priest is shrouded in secrets, lies and cover-up. Was
the old man the innocent victim of a deranged killer—or a pervert who deserved
what he got? Theo is hell-bent to find out. But when her prime suspects are
murdered, only one fact is clear … the killer will strike again. Armed with
nothing but a madman’s cryptic notes, Theo scrambles to decipher the clues
while the killer lurks in the shadows, poised to silence her for good.
What prompted you to write it?
It’s that “coming of age” issue that resonates with me.
Whether it is the result of forces of nature, technology, world events, or
personal triumphs or tragedies, we are constantly evolving. Henry James once
said about a character of limited sensitivities and insight: “He simply doesn’t
have a window that looks out on that side of life.” Creating a character whose
life is continually opening new “windows” by which she may view a different
side of the life experience resonates with me. That’s the fun of it!
How long did it take to write it?
The concept for Deadly Little Secrets
developed over a five-year period. Once I honed the plot in my mind, it really
only took a few months to flesh it out.
Do you have a favorite line from the book?
Theo explains a
valuable lesson she learned about a failed romance: “Life went on and, amazingly, so did I. No one’s obliged to give
us what we expect. At some point I figured that out. I got better.”
Is it published and, if so, when and by
whom?
I published the novel through CreateSpace, the
publishing subsidiary of Amazon.com in August. It was a finalist in the 2015 Annual San Diego Book Awards Competition and
called a “Highly recommended good read” by the San Diego Writers/Editors
Guild.
How can
my readers get a copy?
Deadly Little Secrets is available at www.amazon.com
under my pen name, Loren Zahn. I would appreciate any reviews placed on
Amazon about the book. It is also available in the Kindle version.
What do you do besides write?
I'm a member of the San Diego Writers/Editors Guild and am the
lead editor on their anthology publication, The Guilded Pen. The
anthology was created as a fundraiser for the guild and it has been a success
since day one. All funds raised go to sustain the Guild’s mission which is to
support the writing arts in our community. I also co-chair a fundraiser for San Diego's Little Italy.
What is your advice to would-be writers?
Keep writing—relentlessly! As frustrating as writing can
be at times, there is no greater feeling of accomplishment than to see your
words in print. Don’t give up. That said, finding the right/write support
group is a valuable component of helping you to understand the business of
writing. I have discovered that nearly every community has at least one writing
support group. Try them out. It may take a few tries to find the right fit, but
when you do you might think it was a match made in heaven!
What do you wish you knew when you started your writing
career?
That I would be my own publicist. Publishers expect that
of you. Whether you Indie publish (self-publish) or go the traditional route, you
will need to learn how to sell yourself and your work. The San Diego
Writers/Editors Guild has started a marketing program where members can learn
from the pros what works and what might be a waste of time and resources. I
recommend visiting the website: www.sdwritersguild.org and viewing the page on
marketing for helpful suggestions
What’s next for you?
I’m working on a family history couched in a ghost story which I
hope to complete and publish in 2016. I am also working on the next novel in
the Theo Hunter Series. In Fatal Little Lies, Theo will solve the
decades-old murder of a prominent social reformer, learn the reason for her
mother’s desertion, and face the killer who must protect the secret, even it
means silencing Theo for good. Fatal Little Lies will be out in the
spring of 2016.Thank you, Marcia. It's been a pleasure!
Folks, get this book and read it. You won't be sorry.
Quote of the Day: A secret's safe 'twixt you, me, and the gatepost! Robert Browning
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