Author Interview: Meet Lesley Cookman author of the Libby Sarjeant Series

Hello Lesley and welcome to my blog.

Please share with us a little about where in the world you live. Does the area you live in inspire your writing in any way?

Hi, Glynis. I live in Kent, in the South East of England, and my books are set in Kent. That was almost accidental, as the first in the Libby Sarjeant series was set there and after that, I couldn’t change it!

What genre do you write? What/who inspired you to write in that chosen genre? 

I write what is called in the States “cosy” crime, which is a genre which derives from the Golden Age of detective fiction. It is in decline in the UK, although there are still some of us doing it! The first adult books I read as a child were my parents’ collection of detective fiction, including Ngaio Marsh and John Dickson Carr, and that set my reading habits for life.

Aside from novels what other writing interests do you have? As the novels are how I make my living I don’t have any other writing “interests”. I have odd things to do that arise out of the day job – like guest blogging! – but that’s all.

Share with The Important Ones your daily writing routine. Do you have a set pattern? Superstitions?

I try and treat it as if I were going out to work. I answer emails, check Twitter and Facebook, then attack odd jobs – see answer above – then try and find other things to do which will keep me from work. Eventually I get on with it and stop late afternoon. I don’t think I have any writing superstitions, although I have them in other areas of my life.

Do you have an agent or publisher? If so, how long did it take you to become a published author?

I don’t have an agent, and I’ve been published for nearly thirty years. The Libby Sarjeant series came out of the coincidence of meeting my publisher when she and I did a Master’s Degree together.

Tidy desk or one that needs an overhaul? Or do you not have a specific writing space. 

I have an incredibly untidy office, and always have had. My late husband and I both worked from home and had one each.

When I write I often get the munchies and have snacks to keep me going. Do you indulge in anything or do you ignore the rumbletums?

I break for lunch, which I have at my desk.

What hobbies do you have or does writing take all of your time?

I read, and occasionally perform, if asked! (I was actully trained as an actor, believe it or not.)

Any tips or resources you might like to share are always gratefully received.

I can only reiterate my regular advice: read, read, read. Especially in your chosen genre. And if you are an aspiring writer of romance, join the Romantic Novelists’ Association and try for a place on their New Writer’s Scheme. An excellent resource.

 

Please tell us what your latest projects are and what you hope for the future.

The ninth Libby Sarjeant book, Murder At The Manor, is out on November 7^th, and the tenth, Murder by Magic, currently under construction, will be out next June. As for hopes for the future, I’d like to go on doing what I’m doing now for as long as my publisher and readers want me!

Many thanks for sharing with us today, Lesley. 

Thank you for having me.

Visit Lesley's website.