Connie: Welcome, Mary Ellen! I’m happy to have the opportunity to sit down and interview you, delve into your psyche. Before I begin would you tell me and the readers a bit about yourself, perhaps a peek at what you’re working on now?

Mary Ellen: I’m a mystery author, a wife and mom, a registered Medical Technologist, and cat-owner, not necessarily listed in order of importance. I’ve just finished the third installment of the Craft Corner series, Paper-Thin Alibi.

Connie: The Craft Corner mysteries aren’t your first leap into the mystery world. There was Resort to Murder and A Taste of Death for example. What have you learned from writing these mysteries that you’ve applied to Jo’s stories?

Mary Ellen: Resort to Murder and A Taste of Death were slightly simpler novels, shorter and with little subplot. I think by the time I started writing the Craft Corner mysteries I had learned to round out my books more, to fill in more details of my protagonist’s personal life and the lives of those around her. It all needed to impact to some extent, of course, on the primary story, but I think it produced a richer reading experience.

Connie: That it did.

Is there anything during the journey of writing that you’ve learned about yourself? Anything you were surprised to learn about yourself?

Mary Ellen: I think I was surprised to learn I could write even when I didn’t feel like it. Waiting for the muse to strike doesn’t work when you have deadlines. Forcing yourself to sit down at that computer and think really does get your brain working and sometimes surprises me with the ideas that come.

Connie: Which in turn benefits me, the reader!

Most mystery series are told in the first person. What was behind your decision in telling the Craft Corner mysteries in the third person?

Mary Ellen: I’m not too sure. I just felt comfortable telling the story in third person. I always felt as though I were looking over my characters’ shoulders and watching what they were doing (and writing it all down furiously).

Connie: What is your path to who-done-it, Mary Ellen? Does the perp reveal him/herself to you as the book evolves or when plotting and creating the suspects do you pick one and say, "Sorry, but you did it"?

Mary Ellen: So far I’ve always known ahead of time who did it, how, and why. I’ve heard of the method of writing with three or so possible murders and deciding near the end which one actually did it, and that intrigues me. I may try it sometime.

Connie: With Wreath of Deception and String of Lies out, the characters are really showing their personalities. So far, do you have a favorite secondary character, one that touches you or makes you smile?

Mary Ellen: I like Ina Mae, the retired school teacher, a lot. She’s intelligent and has a lot of gumption, but a soft heart when needed. She never hesitates to speak plainly when the occasion calls for it.

Connie: I’ve enjoyed her and her efforts to help Jo when needed.

In any novel, romance or mystery, creative license comes into play. How difficult is it as a writer of an amateur sleuth series to maintain an air of believability in the main character solving the crime yet maintain some accuracy?

Mary Ellen: It’s certainly not easy to send an arts and crafts shop owner off investigating murder. The trick is to make doing that so important to the character’s survival or the survival of someone very close to them that they can’t decide not to do it.

Connie: What type of research do you do prior to placing Jo in the position of solving a case? What do you want to make sure the reader is aware of?

Mary Ellen: Much of my research for the Craft Corner mysteries had to do with the arts and crafts that Jo is an expert in. I had to go to the real experts and learn about the things Jo teaches in her workshops. The most fun was making beaded earrings and necklaces. I also researched my methods of murder – poisons, electrocution, car "accidents" and such. That was rather fun too!

Connie: Having fun while researching methods of murder…Since that’s the case, then mysteries are right up your alley, aren’t they?

In many cozy/romantic mysteries it can be several chapters before the mystery/crime unfolds. In String of Lies with the opening pages the upcoming mystery was set up. What do you do, what’s your process to be able to practically open the story with the set up of the mystery?

Mary Ellen: I never analyzed it before, but I guess my process is to set up the situation for murder right away. I tell the reader hopefully just enough to expect that something bad might happen. Then after it does, I gradually fill in more back story that explains some of the why. The "who", of course, has to wait until the end.

Connie: Don’t make us wait for this, Mary Ellen, how about a sneak peek... Will we see a developing relationship between Jo and Detective Russ in the future?

Mary Ellen: In Paper-Thin Alibi, which comes out in July, 2008, I think readers will be happy with most of what develops between Jo and Russ. There’ll be a few surprises, though.

Connie: "Most?" Hmm, now I’m really curious.

Ok, it’s time to ask another line of questions. If you were given the option to pamper yourself in the following ways, which would be your first choice and which would be your last. Why? --- Massage, pedicure, manicure, facial, a day that included all of the above.

Mary Ellen: I’m afraid I wouldn’t choose any of the above! My idea of pampering myself would be having a total day to myself, away from phones, computer, people. I think I had a day like that once.

Connie: What is your favorite sit down restaurant and what is your favorite item on the menu?

Mary Ellen: I love an Italian restaurant in my area. They make a great eggplant parmesan. (lots of cheese!)

Connie: Sounds great!

You’re stranded on a deserted island; aside from your husband you have the chance to have four different people, real or fictional (family, movie stars, friends--TV, book, movie characters)…1) build your dream shelter and maintain it, 2) be your chef (the island is fully stocked!), 3) be your masseuse/manicurist/hairdresser, 4) feed you grapes and fan you with palm fronds. Who would you pick and delegate to each duty?

Mary Ellen: Hmm, I’ve heard that Harrison Ford started out as a carpenter. Maybe he could build me a pretty good house (and keep all the spies and terrorists away in the process); Emeril Lagasse could probably whip up a pretty fair meal for me now and then; Nick Arrojo from TV’s What not to Wear could certainly keep my hair in good shape, (see earlier answer regarding massages and manicures) and, oh, do you think you could pry Brad Pitt away from Angelina for the grapes and fan duty? Now, how do I get to this island??

Connie: I thought you knew! Maybe once you get there you can send directions and I can visit? At least for dinner?

There are some actors who seem to have gotten better (and better looking) with age. Who do you think fits this, Mary Ellen?

Mary Ellen: I didn’t think Meryl Streep could get any better from where she was twenty or so years ago, but I swear she continues to grow as an actor. She’s always been uniquely gorgeous and still is.

Connie: Is there anything you find it hard to make it through the day without?

Mary Ellen: Chocolate and walks, which unfortunately work at cross purposes as far as weight control.

Connie: Yes, but sometimes the chocolate is so worth it! Thank you so much, Mary Ellen. I appreciate the time you took to visit with me. Before I say good bye, is there anything I forgot to ask or you want the readers to know?

Mary Ellen: Just that they can check my website, http://www.maryellenhughes.com for updates on books and events, and possibly sign up for my occasional newsletter. I love hearing from readers too!

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Author's Interviews