Interview Beverley Bateman

by

W. C. Filyaw

1. Is this your first book? If not, how many books do you have out?

No this isn't my first book. It's actually the second in a series. The first came out in January of this year. I also have two others published.

2. Is mystery your favorite genre to write in or do you have a second love?

I love mystery. I like the plotting and hiding bodies. So it's definitely one of my favorites. I also write medical thrillers which I thoroughly enjoy.

3. Where do you do your best work?

Good question. I do most of my writing on my computer in my room at home. But I get ideas anytime and you'll find me jotting down notes when I first open my eyes in the morning because I thought of something while I was sleeping; or I race out of the shower because I just solved a scene and need to write down the details; or sitting in a restaurant. I'll grab a napkin and start writing a new story idea.

4. Do you ever suffer from writer's block?

No. At least I haven't for a long time. I can't remember who said it but somewhere along the way someone said there is no such thing as writers block. It just means that you haven't done enough research on your story and you don't know your characters well enough. So if I find there's a problem--I do some more research.

5. How many distractions do you have in your life; for example, children, grandchildren, etc?

Well I work full time in a fairly stressful job and sometimes I have to travel for short periods, so that keeps me from writing as much as I'd like. I have two puppies who keep me busy and a husband. I also have a fairly large home and now it that it’s summer I have a large yard full of flower gardens that I need to work on. And we get a lot of company during the summer because we live on a lake, so that cuts into my writing time. I'm also working on the Bylaws and the P&P for a writing Chapter I belong to and marketing the books you have out takes extra time that I'd rather use for writing.

6. Who is your favorite author?

Ohh--just one? That's a real challenge. I guess I'd have to say Tess Gerritsen--but there are so many good authors, including some of the Wings authors.

7. What comes first, the idea for a novel or the title. By the way, I really like the title Death Comes In Red. It makes me want to buy the book.

Thank you. I'm glad you like the title. The idea for the novel always comes first for me. I'll pick a title but often change it three or four times while I'm writing the book until it feels right.

8. What is your idea of the perfect murder, or place to hide a body?

That's a great question but you might have to read my books to find out. In one of my books on cloning I have some very interesting ways to kill a person and dispose of the body. I'll just mention a farm--and let people's imagination do the rest.

9. Who would you enjoy being an amateur sleuth with on a deserted island?

Gee--if it's a deserted island who would be there to commit a murder? Does it have to be with someone alive today? Because if I was stranded on a deserted island I think I might pick Agatha Christie.

10. What is your pet peeve?

I think I'd have to say people who drive while talking on their cellphones.