| Elise Jenkins
Staff Reporter
Ocean Point Weekly
I caught up with Laura Bradford—author of the new mystery
novel, Jury of One—outside Mia’s Chinese
Restaurant recently. The mystery writer was vacationing in Ocean Point, New Jersey,
with her husband, Mike and their two young daughters. She was in a hurry to get
to the beach and build sand castles with the kids, but she took a few moments
to answer some questions.
Q: Which author inspired you to delve into the area of
mystery writing?
A: In the seventh or eighth grade I read my first Mary Higgins Clark
book. I remember being hunched over the desk in my bedroom reading the hours away
with that book. I couldn’t put it down. So, when I decided to pursue fiction
again after the birth of my second daughter, I naturally gravitated toward the
mystery genre.
Q: Where do the ideas for your stories come from?
A: Interesting places. I came up with the plot for Jury
of One after thinking about boardwalk fortunetellers. I don’t know where
the |
thought came from or why I was
thinking about them, but I was. And so I started doing a little research on the
computer and the next thing I knew I had a plot for a novel.
Q: I notice you have two daughters. When do you have time
to write?
A: It’s hard to commit to a set schedule when my first priority is being
a mom. But I do a lot of my plotting when I’m driving in the car, taking
a shower, and drifting off to sleep. Sometimes a story comes from one quick idea
that comes to me in a dream. That idea then blossoms into a story when I finally
get to sit down at the computer.
Q: Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
A: I love the beach and get to one as often as possible. But I’d have
to say that Disney World is my all-time favorite.
Q: Do you remember the very first story you ever got published?
A: I’ll never forget the first acceptance. It was for a short story
called She Looked Up. I was on cloud nine when I got that e-mail. Unfortunately
the magazine folded prior to publication of the story. As depressing as that was,
I turned |
around and sent it off again,
this time to Orchard Press Mysteries Online. They loved the story too and it finally
found a home. Readers can still find that story on the Orchard Press website.
Information on all of my published short stories can be found under books/stories.
Q: Favorite food?
A: Chocolate.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: A Few Good Men.
Q: Favorite way to spend your free time?
A: I love listening to music. I also like hiking, swimming, biking, traveling,
and reading.
Q: Do you like to hear from your readers?
A: Absolutely. That’s half the thrill of being a published author—having
people enjoy your stories.
Q: Any last words for your readers?
A: Thank you. Thank you for reading my work and taking this journey with me. |
