Debra Sennefelder ~ About the Author

Posted June 16, 2023 by karenbaron in About the Author, Contest - Giveaway / 0 Comments

June’s featured author is Debra Sennefelder

I love the fabulous sleuths in Ms. Sennefelder’s cozy mysteries. The main characters are unique and different from each other. Oh, the recipes are delightful too. I also follow her on social media and especially love the post with Connie her adorable companion.

Let’s get to know, Debra Sennefelder.

Tell us a little about yourself. Perhaps something, not many people know?

I was born and raised in New York City. While I’ve always loved writing, I did decide to study fashion buying and merchandising in college and landed a job in the cosmetics buying office at Macy’s. As an employee, I had the opportunity to participate in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Yes, I was a dancing turkey. After I got married, I moved to Connecticut and wrote my first book, which was rejected by a lot of agents. A few years later, I joined a writer’s group and began pursuing publication again. In 2018, my first book was published.

What made you want to become a writer?

I’ve been writing stories since grade school, so I think writing chose me.

Which author(s) do you read the most?

Linda Reilly, Jenn McKinlay, and Paige Shelton, to name a few.

Do you play a musical instrument or sing?

No.

What type of music do you listen to?

Pop

What is the worst job that you have ever had?

Secretary for a medical scale company.

Where do you go to relax?

The yoga mat.

Who is your hero (real or fictional)?

My mom.

Would you rather live in a haunted mansion or live in an un-haunted cottage?

Haunted mansion.

What is your go-to recipe or restaurant?

I don’t have a favorite restaurant, but I do have a favorite beef stew recipe.

Writing Style

What do you love most about your writing process?

What I love most about my writing process is that it works for me. I’ve found what works best, and it’s a wonderful thing.

Do you have a writing schedule?

My schedule changes depending on what part of the process I’m in. Writing a first draft is different than working on the second draft, and it’s very different from when I’m reading proof pages.

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym, or do you?

No.

What comes first for you, the plot, or the characters?

Since I write series, the idea for the protagonist’s career usually comes first, and then I work on her character before creating the plot for the book.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?

I haven’t had that experience.

Do you choose the character names based on how they sound or their meaning?

I go through lists of baby names and surnames, keeping in mind that I don’t want too similar sounding names in one book.

Describe your writing space.

My office looks out over the back of our property and our stream. There’s my desk, bookshelves, and a bed for Connie.

How do you deal with the emotional impact of a book (on yourself) as you are writing the story?

When I’m writing a book, I make sure that I practice self-care, and that includes exercise, which is a great way to clear my head.

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

There’s a good amount of world building for all three of my series since they take place in fictional towns. I have a document that lists the local businesses, the history of the town, and the residents that tend to pop up in the books.

What is your favorite cover out of all your books? Why is it your favorite?

My newest release is always my favorite. But the first book I had published, THE UNINVITED CORPSE, will always have a special place in my heart.

Book/Series

How did you come up with the title of your books?

They’ve just come to me. I’ve been fortunate that my publishers have liked my titles and used them.

What is something unique about Hope Early from the Food Blogger Mysteries?

She was a contestant on a reality baking show that she lost.

How did you decide to set the Food Blogger Mysteries in Jefferson, Connecticut?

I wanted Hope to live in a town like the one I live in, but it’s not identical to where I live.

What is something unique about Kelly Quinn from the Resale Boutique Mysteries?

Kelly isn’t much of a cook. In fact, she had a really bad cookie baking experience when trying to make her granny’s recipe.

How did you decide to set the Resale Boutique Mysteries on Long Island?

At the time I didn’t want to set another series in Connecticut but I wanted to make sure Kelly was within commuting distance to New York City because she worked in the fashion industry.