Interview with Marilyn Levinson

Marilyn, why did a former Spanish teacher decide to write mystery novels?

I loved writing ever since I was young. I started writing stories in the third grade. And, of course, I was an avid reader, devouring Trixie Belden, Judy Bolton, and Nancy Drew novels, sometimes two in one day. Then I took creative writing in my senior year of high school. Though I wrote a short story every week, the teacher was not at all supportive. I stopped writing fiction, and went back to it years later, when my sons were very young. Since I enjoyed studying Spanish, I decided that would be my major in college. When I was twenty-one, I spent an unforgettable summer in Mexico City. I believe there’s a strong link between creating fiction and communicating in another language. I still love speaking Spanish, and do so every chance I get.

How did your Twin Lakes mystery series come about?

I live in a gated community, though not quite as elegant as Twin Lakes. The idea for the first book in the series, A Murderer Among Us, began as a “what if” thought while walking through the community. What if my sleuth encountered someone she knew from her past, someone who had hurt her youngest sister and had driven her to suicide? Twin Lakes is an over-55 community. I decided to make my sleuth an active senior who recently lost her husband. With two grown daughters and their problems, and the possibility of a love interest, I was off and running—er, typing.

Tell us about your protagonist and your latest novel.

My romantic suspense, Dangerous Relations, came out two weeks ago  with Uncial Press in eBook format. My heroine is Ardin Wesley, who has returned to her New Jersey hometown to settle her mother in an assisted living facility. Thornedale holds many unhappy memories for Ardin, especially those of her short but abusive marriage. She is eager to return to Manhattan, where she practices law. Then her promiscuous cousin is murdered, and Ardin finds herself eager to adopt her cousin’s daughter as she falls for her cousin’s widower, who also wants to adopt the child. Certain she’s not suited for love and marriage, Ardin faces her old demons, including her ex-husband as she dodges the many attempts on her life.

How did your “Best Indie Award of 2011” from Suspense Magazine come about? Why did you decide to go the indie route?

I’d sent A Murderer Among Us to the big six or seven in NY, but no one was interested.  I decided to send it to one of the epublishers, and Wings ePress took it. I’m not sure how my Best Indie Award came about, though I’m glad that it did.

Has membership in Sisters in Crime helped your writing career?

It has, in that I’ve made many good writer friends through Sisters in Crime, who have helped me in so many ways—from practical advice to plot ideas to which agents to query. After attending my first Malice Domestic conference a few years ago, I decided to start a Long Island chapter, which I co-founded with my friend, Bernadine Fagan. My two-year term of presidency is up the end of December.

Why did you decide to write children’s and young adult books as well as your adult mystery series?

I wrote children’s and young adult books first, while my sons were growing up. After that, I also wrote adult mysteries and romantic suspense. I’ve no idea why I write a book in one genre or the other. Right now I’m finishing up a children’s book—the sequel to Rufus and Magic Run Amok.

Are your books set in your home area of Long Island, New York?

My mysteries are all set on Long Island. I have a specific area or town in mind, then create my own locale. When writing Giving Up The Ghost, I envisioned high bluffs above the beach, like those in Rocky Point, but Chrissom Harbor is a fictitious setting.

Advice for novice authors?

Join writing groups. Be part of a supportive critique group. Most important, keep on writing and sending out your work.

How important is social networking and how much time do you spend on the Internet promoting your work? Your social media links.

Social networking is so very important. I spend a good deal of time on the Internet promoting my work—via emailing, Facebook groups, and Yahoo listservs. I tweet, guest blog, do what I can to get reviews for my novels. I’m never far from my computer.

You can visit Marilyn at: www.marilynlevinson.com. Her books are available at Amazon or Barnes & Noble, including A Murder Among Us (Suspense Magazine Best Indie of 2011, Murder in the Air and Giving up the Ghost.