DB Henson author of Deed to Death, first recommended here in January 2011

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Tell Me About Your Book:

Deed to Death is a fast-paced thriller set in the real estate and construction industry.  Real estate agent Toni Matthews’ problems begin when her fiancé, Scott, is murdered. Having to bury the man she loves on the very day they planned to be married is almost more than Toni can take. Dealing with her loss becomes even harder when Scott's estranged brother, Brian, contests the will, threatening to take away her home.

After learning Brian is in deep financial trouble, Toni suspects he may be the one who killed Scott. Determined to find the truth and frustrated with the police, she begins her own investigation. Toni soon realizes she didn't know her fiancé quite as well as she had thought. Scott had been keeping secrets. Secrets that make Toni the killer's next target.

 

Tell Me more about your key characters:

Toni is a woman determined to find answers, and she’ll let nothing stand in her way.  She also has her flaws; she’s definitely not perfect.  Trust is a big issue for her.  Having been abandoned by her mother at a young age, she finds it hard to let anyone get close to her.  Just when she’s found a man she can fully believe in and depend on, he’s taken from her.  I hope readers will be able to relate to her and sympathize with her actions.

Best and worst part of being a writer:

The thing I love most about being a writer is I can work in my pajamas.  The worst thing is I’m easily distracted and have mastered the art of procrastination.  Seriously, writing is the best job in the world.  It allows you to daydream and live out someone else’s life on paper.

How do you get started with writing a story (as in, how do you start developing the story, how do you get inspired for it)

I usually start with the plot.  Once I know what the crime of my novel will be, then I focus on the characters.  Who would commit this type of crime and who would go about solving it?  I write a complete background for each one of my primary characters.  I know their birthday, their habits, and everything that has happened to them up until the point the novel begins.  Most of this backstory will never make it into the book, but I feel it’s important to know the characters on the most intimate level before I begin writing.  Once I know them, I let the characters take over.  They take on a life of their own and guide me through the story.

What advice would you give to people who "run out of creativity" when writing?

I recommend that all writers keep a journal.  Whenever I’m feeling blocked or am having trouble with a scene, I turn to my journal.  Writing down your thoughts and feelings and the events of your day can really help to get the juices flowing.  It’s like turning on a tap.  Writing, no matter what kind, inspires more writing.