An Interview With Teresa Inge

by Grace Topping

People often complain that they want to read but don’t have much time to do so. That’s when short stories can help. Short stories, which come in a variety of lengths, offer a complete story that can be read in a matter of minutes. Teresa Inge has made a career writing short stories that have appeared in a number of publications and really knows the world of short stories. She has also compiled and published short story anthologies that include stories by other mystery authors, including several of the Writers Who Kill contributors. Teresa is also a member of the WWK blog. It was a pleasure interviewing her and learning more about the world of short story writing.

 

First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder

First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder features nineteen juicy tales of revenge, betrayal, bad breakups, and a few I dos and some I don’ts.

Each short story takes ruthless relationships to an all-new level in all kinds of places like destination weddings, riverboat cruises, wineries, bachelorette parties, creepy stalkers, cheating spouses, and sneaky friends trying for their own version of happily ever after. So, settle in for some love stories with a twist of revenge, infidelity, and murder.

Featuring the writing talents of Teresa Inge, Heather Weidner, Debra H. Goldstein, Grace Topping, Maggie King, Ellen Butler, Kristin Kisska, Shawn Reilly Simmons, Marilyn Levinson, Sandra Murphy, Mary Dutta, Diane Fanning, Libby Hall, Frances Aylor, K.L. Murphy, Eleanor Cawood Jones, Leah St. James, Sheryl Jordan and Allie Marie.

 

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Welcome, Teresa.

 

When you started writing, what made you focus on crime fiction?

 

I have always been fascinated by crime fiction. During my childhood, I read Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. As I grew older, I was drawn to private investigators Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade, and detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Later, I watched Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Columbo, and Murder, She Wrote. So, writing crime felt like a natural fit.

 

Why short stories? 

I’ve loved short formats since my teenage years, when I was reading Poe and other short crime stories. I also love reading a couple of short stories in one sitting and feeling satisfied that I have met the characters, entered the setting, and experienced the full story arc. The same holds true for writing them. I especially enjoy creating characters in a small town and using dialogue to move a short story forward because, in a short piece, every word, sentence, and paragraph must count.

 

I’ve heard it said that writing short is more difficult than writing long. Is that true, and if so, what accounts for that? 

 

I have been a corporate reporter for many years at a global investment firm, and those articles always came with word counts. I also wrote for a local newspaper, where space was limited. So, writing short has been in my wheelhouse for a long time, and that experience carried over into short stories. But for someone new to the format, it can be challenging because every word must earn its place. A novelist may have room to add more character and setting description, but a short story writer must suggest those details with fewer words.

 

Your short stories have appeared in a number of short story publications and anthologies, but you’ve also published anthologies yourself. How challenging was that?

Since I have a schedule and format that I follow, it is not too challenging. I create the title and theme, select the authors, coordinate the project, and edit the book. For each anthology, I keep a spreadsheet of the authors, story details, and deadlines. I then submit each anthology to a traditional publisher for the widest reach. 

 

Are all your stories in the cozy subgenre, or do you ever write darker?

 

My stories are cozy Southern mysteries set in small towns in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I create female protagonists who own businesses, such as a wine shop, beach shop, fabric store, or bookstore. Owning a business gives them a natural reason to be out in the community, which helps them uncover clues and solve crimes. This format works for me and my readers, so I plan to stay with it rather than write darker stories. 

 

You have the reputation of nurturing writers who are trying to get established, either through organizing get togethers at writers’ conferences, working with professional organizations, and including new author works in anthologies you put together. What motivates you to do that? 

 

I love working with a variety of authors on anthologies and bringing their stories into print. I also enjoy coordinating the stories into a collection, editing the anthology, and finding a publisher. There is something special about pulling all the pieces together and seeing the finished book. Of course, there are challenges, such as authors not meeting deadlines, but that’s part of the process. In addition, I plan dinners and serve in various roles at conferences and within the Sisters in Crime organization. Since my day job is as an admin assistant, I am used to assisting others, coordinating details, and helping plans come together.

 

You have written a number of short stories. Have you thought of writing novels?

 

I am editing my first novel The Bride Arrived DOA. It is set in the Outer Banks and features Cass Kennedy, who inherits a rundown motel from her brother, who died under mysterious circumstances. Cass moves there with her two adult daughters, both in their early twenties, to run the motel together. All three have catering and hotel experience, but when they arrive, Cass discovers the motel is anything but a premier venue. As she works to bring the property back to life, she also sets out to solve her brother’s murder.

You attend a number of writers’ conferences and make public appearances. Do you find them a must to promote your work, or do you get a lot of pleasure from them?

 

I find that attending writers’ conferences and promoting my work gives me the opportunity to meet both new and returning readers who support my books. I am also part of a local group that does book signings, and it is fun spending time with other authors.

 

In addition to writing, I understand that you have a thing about a vintage red Thunderbird. Please tell us about it.

 

During my teenage years, I hung out with the hot rodders, and we cruised strips like the one in American Graffiti. Since then, I have wanted a T-Bird, and several years ago I purchased a Torch Red ’55 Thunderbird. My husband also has classic cars, and we still love to cruise. 

 

Are you able to combine your love of cars with crime writing?

I give my protagonists a cool car to drive in each story. Whether it is a T-Bird, a vintage Jeep, or a VW Bug with a great paint job, I love giving them a classic car to drive while they solve crimes.

 

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned since you started writing?

 

The most valuable thing I have learned is to join a writers’ organization, such as Sisters in Crime, and network with other writers. It is one of the best ways to make connections, learn about publishing opportunities, develop your craft, and find an overall sense of community.

 

What’s next for you?

I recently submitted an anthology to my publisher featuring mystery stories by Virginia authors, all inspired by the King Neptune statue in Virginia Beach. The anthology will be out this year. I am also finishing a short story for submission to another anthology.

 

Thank you, Teresa. I look forward to reading your first novel.

 

To learn more about Teresa and her short stories, visit teresainge.com 

 

 

Bio:

Teresa Inge is an award-winning mystery author whose work appears in collections, First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder, Coastal Crimes, Virginia is for Mysteries, Mutt Mysteries, and Murder by the Glass. She is actively involved with organizations Sisters in Crime, the Short Mystery Fiction Society, and the Virginia Writer’s Club, and regularly contributes to the Sand in our Shorts and Writers Who Kill blogs. 

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Inspired by her childhood passion for Nancy Drew mysteries, Teresa transformed her enthusiasm for both reading and professional writing into a career in crime fiction. During the workweek, she serves as an administrative assistant, corporate reporter, and notary coordinator at a global financial firm.

 

Outside of her writing pursuits, Teresa enjoys showcasing her classic 1955 Torch Red Thunderbird at car shows and makes her home in Southeastern Virginia and the Outerbanks of North Carolina with her husband AJ and their shepherd dog, Luke.

 

 

Grace Topping is the author of the Laura Bishop Mystery Series.