Goose Pimple Junction – Reade and Write

Today on Reade and Write I welcome Amy Metz back to the hot seat. She’s been here before, back in June of 2015, to discuss her book Heroes & Hooligans in Goose Pimple Junction. She’s back now to discuss her newest release, Rogues & Rascals in Goose Pimple Junction. For those of you who haven’t read any of Amy’s books, I highly recommend them. They’re chock-full of humor, mystery, and Southern wisdom. Good to have you back, Amy!

Tell us about your new book.

Rogues & Rascals in Goose Pimple Junction was released in May and is the fourth book in my humorous mystery series. The main characters are Wynona and Caledonia, two very different women, but two women who also have more in common than one might think.

How long did it take you to write the new book?

Forever. A least it seemed like it. Realistically, more like a year.

Do you write linearly, or do you write each scene separately and then piece them together like a puzzle? Or is there some other path you take to writing a novel?

I pretty much write linearly. Sometimes I write the first and last chapters and then fill in the middle, but I haven’t done that with the book I’m currently writing. Maybe I should try that.

Tell us a secret about one of your characters- something that’s not in the book.

Wynona has a mother who is a little crazy. Okay, a lot crazy.

Do you have any writing rituals?

Yes, the temperature has to be 74 degrees exactly. I need sweet tea with lemon, M&Ms—green only—and someone to rub my shoulders while I work. Just kidding. I don’t have any rituals that I can think of.

What time of day do you do your best writing?

Probably late at night.

Have you ever been on a writing retreat? And if so, where did you go?

I don’t know that you’d call it a retreat, but I went to the Mad Anthony Writers Conference (http://www.writelikemad.com/) in Hamilton, Ohio, a few years ago. I learned a ton and wish I could go to more of them.

Can you tell us what you’re working on now?

I’m working on book 5 in the Goose Pimple Junction series, Liars & Lunatics in Goose Pimple Junction. I’m also working on a thriller titled Wax Man.

Tell us about the dedication in your new book, if you wish.

Rogues & Rascals in Goose Pimple Junction was dedicated to a man named Robert, who I never actually met in person—we only knew each other online. I met him when I first started writing. He was the best beta reader I ever had and was instrumental in books one and two. He always had great suggestions, was brutally honest, and he kept me writing at times when I didn’t want to. I sent him chapters as I wrote them, and I think that immediate feedback helped me write faster than I do now. He passed away in January 2015 and never read Rogues & Rascals.

Do you prefer to read a physical book (with paper pages that really turn), or do you prefer an ereader, or perhaps audio books?

I actually read more audiobooks than any other form, because I listen to them in the car or when I’m puttering around the house. They also help me get to sleep. I like ebooks when I go somewhere and need to fill down-time while waiting for something or someone. But if you’re talking prefer, I prefer hardback books. I think each form plays an important role!

If you had an unlimited budget, is there something special you would do for your readers?

I’d love to be able to give away gift certificates to bookstores or even paperback copies of GPJ books. Right now it’s just not in the budget.

Remind us where we can connect with you.
Website: http://authoramymetz.com
Blog: http://abluemillionbooks.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmyMetz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authoramymetz
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AmyMetz

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-Metz/e/B008NA07X4/ref=series_rw_dp_un

Where is the new book available?

All four books in the series are available on Amazon.com.

Links:
Murder & Mayhem In Goose Pimple Junction: http://tinyurl.com/zz6vl2l
Heroes & Hooligans In Goose Pimple Junction: http://tinyurl.com/z45l93p
Short & Tall Tales In Goose Pimple Junction: http://tinyurl.com/zl8ovc3
Rogues & Rascals In Goose Pimple Junction: http://tinyurl.com/zy9p85r

Goose Pimple Junction Mysteries: http://tinyurl.com/gnclb9y

Thanks so much for joining me on Reade and Write today!

Until next week,

Amy

This week I welcome author Amy Metz, author of the Goose Pimple Junction books. I just recently downloaded the first book in the series, Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction, and I’m very much looking forward to reading it. Nice to have you here, Amy!

Interview Questions for Reade and Write

Tell me about your new book.

Heroes & Hooligans in Goose Pimple Junction is the second book in my Goose Pimple Junction mystery series. The main characters in this book are Martha Maye Applewhite and Johnny Butterfield. All of the same characters from the first book are back for this one, plus a few new ones. There are several mysteries to solve – some more sinister than others – and of course, someone has to die!

Who is the audience for the book?

Anyone who likes mysteries and has a sense of humor.

Tell me about the setting of your book—how did you choose it, what kind of research did you have to do, why did you choose it?

I’ve been told that the town itself is almost a character of its own, and that makes me very happy. Goose Pimple Junction is a combination of a couple of real life small towns and my imagination. I wanted a close-knit community with whacky characters and a beautiful, clean Southern town. I hope it’s a place readers would like to visit or live.

What was the hardest thing about writing the book?

I had a hard time coming up with a plot with this second book. I actually had a different killer in my first draft. And editing . . . don’t get me started!

If your book were made into a movie, who would you like to see playing the main characters?

I think Kathy Bates would be a great Louetta. Or Shirley McClain. But Louetta’s a heavy woman, in my mind, so maybe Shirley wouldn’t work. For the other characters, I just don’t know. I’m coming up blank.

Have you written any other books?

I’ve written the first book in the series, Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction (of course), and I’m writing the third book now. I also have a novelette just about finished up that explains a few things that happened in between the first and second books.

Are you in one or more critique groups or partnerships?

I was when I wrote Murder & Mayhem, but I’m not anymore. I do think they’re a great source of advice and support. I just don’t have time to properly participate right now.

Do you write every day?

In normal times, yes. My life is in total upheaval right now, so it’s been a while since I’ve written. I am itching to get back to it. I have a new character in mind, and he’s giving me all sorts of ideas.

When you read a book, what authors do you like best? What genres do you like best?

I love mysteries, and Robert B. Parker is my favorite author. I also like humor, so when an author combines mystery and humor, I’m hooked. David Rosenfelt and Dennis Hart do a really good job of that in their novels. Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly, John Sandford, Nelson DeMille . . . there are so many to love.

Where would you like to go more than anywhere else on earth?

To The Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport, Maine. I’ll sit on the veranda overlooking the ocean, sip a cold drink, alternating from reading a book to photographing the beauty of the area and the activity on the water. Heaven.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Run, Forrest, Run!

What is your favorite movie and why?

Hmm…not sure I can pinpoint it to one. I love Princess Bride, O Brother, Where Art Thou, My Cousin Vinny. One really weird one that I love is Wild Wild West, with Kevin Klein and Will Smith. There are a lot of movies to love, too.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Follow your heart, but listen to your mind.

Describe yourself in three words.

Crazy old lady.

Is there anything I haven’t asked that you wanted me to?

Nope. I’ve been in the hot seat long enough!

Where can readers connect with you?

Website: http://amymetz.com

Blog: http://abluemillionbooks.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmyMetz

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authoramymetz

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6436458.Amy_Metz