Meet Author Lynn Emery

My birthday is less than a week away, but I have a gift for you. Author Lynn Emery has stopped by my blog for a visit. I started reading Lynn’s novels many moons ago and she quickly became one of my favorite authors. Enough of my mouth. I know. You are ready to hear from Lynn.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in south Louisiana. I’m a licensed clinical social worker, and I’ve worked in a variety of settings. For the past 11 years I’ve been working in the mental health field. Before that I worked on an acute care psychiatric unit. I’ve also been a juvenile court consultant (on child welfare procedures), a child abuse/neglect social, and worked at a private residential program that served people with developmental disabilities.

Tell us a something few know about you.
I first learned voodoo at the knee of my babysitter. She also taught me some interesting southern folk tales. Miss Olevia (from an old Creole New Orleans Family) enjoyed telling people she raised me (annoyed mama to no end). As a baby I was late walking. So Miss Olevia bathed my legs in dirty dishwater (old folk remedy), and the next morning baby Lynn was walking! Guess I was trying to get away from having greasy water rubbed on my legs again 🙂

I’ve been twice designated an expert witness, once in a Louisiana court and once in Texas. In the Texas case, the attorney general of that state flew me to Austin to testify in a parental rights termination case. The biological father was a violent drug dealer/user who threatened to come take us all out, including the judge. Fortunately he didn’t show up at the hearing.

What genre(s) do you like to read?
I read mystery, sci fi, fantasy, romance, thrillers, horror and literary fiction. I guess you’re thinking, “What else is there?”

What is your favorite novel and why?
I can’t say just one book, because I love so many passionately. That’s the truth.

What was the last novel you read that you enjoyed and why?
In Her Name: Empire by Michael Hicks (sci fi). Loved it because it’s got romance, drama and lots of butt kicking action. Not to mention a race of warrior women from another planet who are totally awesome! This is the first trilogy in a series. I’m reading the second book now. Fab.u.lous.

When did you begin writing?
My mother would say I’ve been creating fiction since I first learned to talk, get into trouble, and try to explain why “it wasn’t me”! Seriously, I started writing stories when I was eleven years old.

What genre(s) do you write?
I’ve written romance, romantic suspense and women’s fiction (just two of those). Right now I’m writing mystery and paranormal mystery/suspense.

Where do your concepts for your novels come from?
I go to a secret place out in the bayou, and the ghost of Marie Laveau gives me ideas. You think I come up with this by myself???

How long does it typically take you to write a book?
I’ve written novellas in 8 weeks on a roll. The longest was two years, but I had family obligations and health issues.

Tell us about your latest book?
Best Enemies is about three sharp ladies who will catch a murderer, if they don’t kill each other first! That’s the cover tag line. This book is a cozy murder mystery in a new series ( Willa Crown Mystery). Willa, her stripper half-sister and Willa’s dead ex-hubby’s mistress team up to find out who killed Jack Crown (murdered ex-hubby). I just uploaded the Kindle and Nook versions, so they could be on sale by May 19th.

A Darker Shade of Midnight is a paranormal murder mystery. LaShaun Rousselle comes from an old Louisiana family. For generations they’ve been rumored to have accumulated wealth and power using voodoo. LaShaun has turned from “the family business”, but a demon she stirred up before she reformed is back and causing trouble. When she’s accused of murder, a handsome Cajun deputy sheriff helps her find the killer. But LaShaun battles the other worldly villain using her psychic gifts and knowledge passed down from her ancestors. On sale now.

Both will soon be in print versions via Create Space.

Where can readers purchase your latest book? Smashwords, Kindle Store, Nook Books

If you could change one thing about your writing career thus far, what would it be?
I can’t think of one thing, because I’ve learned from the bad and the good. I can’t think of one thing I did that I would change.

What do you find to be the best and worst part of being a writer?
Writing is the best and worst part. Seriously. Creating stories is tough, mind numbing and physically exhausting. At least for me it is more often than not. Revising the first draft is brutal. Writing is the best because I love creating characters and dialog. Finishing a book is like winning a really cool door prize!

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Do your homework about the creative part of writing to be the best writer you can be. And do your homework about the business side of writing. No one person can spend hours giving you a clue. Network, research, and join a professional writers group. There is no excuse with the literally endless resource called “The Internet”. I have no patience with people who won’t type a word or phrase into a top search engine. Most writers will be glad to help others, but if they see you didn’t even try to do some basic homework? They’ll avoid the time suck of holding your hand. Cause, uh, we’re way too busy writing and managing our own lives. Thank you.

What do you have on the burner for the next year?
I plan to re-issue four backlist Arabesque titles (just got the rights back- woot-woot!). Then I’ll write the next books in the Willa Crown Mystery series, and another LaShaun Rousselle Paranormal Mystery novel.

How can readers reach you? www.lynnemery.com,  Facebook, Twitter

Do you have anything else to add?
Yeah, uh, y’all do know I was kidding about that ghost of Marie Laveau thing, right?

Thank you so much for playing with us today, Lynn. It was a true pleasure. Feel free to drop by any time. Before I let you go. My alter ego is giving away a Kindle. Be sure to hop over there and enter Kindle Me!