Muses

Desired to Death. An Interview With “Empty Nest Series” Author J. M. Maison. (Giveaway)

Do you love a great mystery? One that leaves you guessing who done it?

Desired to Death is the story of Maggie True, an intelligent woman at midlife, who is left searching — just who is Maggie — after her son and daughter have left the nest. Though still crazy in love with Joe, her commercial pilot husband, and her best Labrador retriever Smythe . . . something is missing.

The phone’s ring awakens her in the middle of the night. A frightened call from a friend. A friend arrested for the murder of a young, sculpted trainer. A man with charms so potent that his power over women only seems to strengthen in death.

One of the pleasures of this online world is meeting wonderful, talented people. Author Julia Munroe Martin has been that for me. As I learned more about her life in small town Maine with MEH (My Engineer Husband) through her blog –- I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the novel that she had been writing under the pen name J. M. Maison.

The intriguing J. M. Maison.

That’s what I had the treat of doing recently. Reading Desired to Death and sitting down to chat over a virtual cup of coffee with the author.

How long have you been writing, Julia?

I’ve been a writer all my life. I have a journalism degree, and I worked as a technical writer for about ten years, then I went out on my own and became a freelance writer. But during all that time I was dabbling in fiction. I got more serious about fiction when my kids were young–so I’ve been writing fiction for about 20 years.

Is this your first novel?

No. I’ve written three middle grade novels (two were mysteries), two young readers, a picture book, a women’s fiction, and I’m currently in the final draft of an historical fantasy novel. DESIRED TO DEATH is the only one I’ve indie published. The others are “in the drawer,” as they say. Except for the one I’m currently writing! That one I’ll be shopping around to agents very soon.

Have you always been a fan of mysteries?

Probably only about a third of what I write is mystery. I’ve always been a fan, and I love all Agatha Christie books, grew up reading Nancy Drew then Perry Mason books, and now love the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. I think I enjoy mysteries because they allow you to escape but also really give you things to think about in regard to human nature: why people do the terrible things they do. Writing about that dark side of human nature gives me a safe way to consider the truly dangerous things of life that scare me a lot. Also, I really like puzzles.

When did you come up with Maggie True?

I came up with Maggie True shortly after my son left for college (he’s now in medical school). I wanted to create a character who grappled with a lot of the feelings I was going through of sadness, loneliness, worthlessness, and I didn’t see a whole lot of characters or books out there that dealt with this rather invisible (and depressing) part of life — the empty nest. I also thought this character would be perfect at solving mysteries: lots of time on her hands, no one really notices her, and she’s developed all these “mom skills” that can help her figure out who done what!

Maggie faces many of the challenges that we all face when looking at mid-life, does that play into how the story evolved?

Yes, no question… it’s a very hard time of life and a serious time of life. I just read that the suicide rate is going up dramatically for people in this age range — and I’m not surprised. There’s a certain “outlived one’s usefulness” feeling about life at this age: your kids are more self sufficient, younger people are favored at work, you have more life behind you than in front of you, and perhaps especially as a woman, you become somewhat invisible, less exciting, and less important to society. It’s pretty sad, and it’s very hard…heaped on top of that, the economy is in a terrible place and many people lead “quiet lives of desperation,” as Thoreau said. It’s a hard time. I tend to be one of those people who tries to look on the positive side of life and try not to get too stressed out about it all, but it’s hard. Laughing, writing, and having a wonderful husband and family really helps. But it’s challenging, as you say.

It’s said that you should write what you know — how much are you like Maggie and how much of that is your life in Maine?

I would say that Maggie’s life in Maine is what is most similar about she and I. We both live in small, quiet towns. Many of our neighbors are retirees. We both have kids in college, and we both feel like the busier side of life is passing us by. We also both have wonderful long-term marriages. But there are many differences, too. Maggie is a lot more brave than I am and a whole lot more outgoing. Most of my time is spent at the dining room table with my own imagination. Maggie is out there rustling up adventure!

What was the most fun in bringing her to life?

Vicariously living my fantasy of being a detective (I’ve always wanted to be a spy or a P.I.!): trying out some of the fun (and dangerous!) things Maggie did — following people, snooping around, talking to a friend who’s a police officer, and imagining myself in dangerous situations! Driving around in my small white nondescript station wagon imagining Maggie’s reactions to things.

Is she always in the back of your mind?

Always. She and all my other characters are constantly jostling around back there in the depths somewhere, and I’m always thinking about stories revolving around them. You have no idea how loud my head is sometimes.

Do you talk with Maggie or wonder what would Maggie do in this situation?

Yes, constantly. I’ve been that way my whole life, though. I make up stories about everyone I’m around–like if I’m in a restaurant and I see a couple out for dinner who doesn’t look happy together, I’ve not only analyzed the situation but invented an life entire story about them. And I’m always, always, on the lookout for the next Maggie True adventure (all my friends know to watch out when I get my little notebook out!). Also, I’ve many times convinced my husband to follow a car, look for clues… although, believe me, he’s pretty nosy so it doesn’t take much convincing!

What about Joe — was a person (your husband) who was inspiration for Joe?

I admit it, my husband was the inspiration behind Joe. Joe has many of my own husband’s best qualities of kindness, sweetness, sense of humor, but Joe is also his own man. He’s more impatient and has more of a temper than my husband. He’s much more of an extrovert than my husband, he swears in a much more wholesome less creative way than my husband does, haha, and he’s also taller and more handsome (sorry, honey). But as an airline pilot he’s around MUCH less than my husband (who works about 5 minutes from home), which frees Maggie up to get into all kinds of trouble on her own!

Maggie has premonitions — and was visited by a good-looking younger man (A.J.) in a dream. That ever happened to you, premonitions or visitations?

I have never had that overt a premonition as Maggie has, but I have had dreams that seemed to come true, sensations, visions of sorts. I have twice had dreams that came true to a truly scary degree (both good), and — like Maggie — I often heed my intuition because it’s often right on the money. Merged with my vivid imagination, I see, feel, and sense a lot — both real and imaginary! But I’ve never dreamed of anyone like A.J. … I would’ve remembered that!

Without giving any secrets away what surprised you most about this story and the writing process?

What surprised me most about this story was how quickly it formed in my mind. I concocted the seed of the story during coffee with a friend, and then within about a day I had written a twenty page outline. What always surprises me about my writing process is how daunted I am at the beginning, unsure I’ll be able to write a word, and then within a relatively short time I have a first draft in front of me (for DESIRED TO DEATH, about 8 weeks). I have come to realize that this is my writing process: I have an idea in the back of my mind, then when I sit down to write, it’s a mad wild sprint. The current book I am editing/revising came together in about five weeks (after thinking about it for about six months). It’s an incredibly heady feeling, very exciting. I love the writing zone–I’d go so far to say it’s an addiction. And these days I can put a certain playlist on and force myself into the zone within a very few minutes.

And future plans for Maggie True?

Oh yes. Planning the next one right now. I have a thick, thick folder of more ideas. I plan to publish the next Maggie True mystery no later than the end of 2013!

Just as Maggie stumbled on to sleuthing as a mid-life focus, can you say the same about writing? Or has writing always been a passion of yours?

Writing has really always been a passion — I always kept a journal until college, I have always written something somehow as either a job or for fun or both, and I “think” writing — always looking for a story, always thinking what a great story something could be. I imagine you and I are much alike that way, Jamie. It’s a blessing and a curse at times. Sometimes I wish I could turn off the writer’s mind. Does that make sense?

How has being a Empty Nester affected your writing time?

I have so much more time to write (and do almost everything). I often will write (or do something writing related) twelve hours a day, seven days a week. I am single-minded these days about getting published because for a long time I put it second or third or fourth to everything else. I’m not going to lie, writing is a poor substitute for the mom years — “being mom” is hands down my favorite job EVER — but I am finding extreme satisfaction in my life right now as a writer. It’s not even about people reading what I’m writing, but more about the daily enjoyment I’m getting from doing something that I really, truly love so much!

Thanks so much Julia. And yes readers, she is every bit as delightful as her responses. I’m sure you’ll love Maggie as much as I do. Can’t wait for her next case.

Just click on this link to order a copy of your own. Desired to Death (The Empty Nest Can Be Murder)