Meow my guest today is author Daryl Gerber!
BIO:
Agatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author
DARYL WOOD GERBER ventures into the world of suspense again with her second
stand-alone novel, DAY OF SECRETS. Daryl writes the bestselling Cookbook Nook Mysteries and will soon
debut the new French Bistro Mysteries.
As Avery Aames, she pens the bestselling Cheese
Shop Mysteries. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder,
She Wrote.” She has also jumped out of a perfectly
good airplane and hitchhiked around Ireland by herself.
- Welcome
Daryl! Tell us a little about your New “French Bistro” series!
Thanks ROCCO! In A
Deadly Éclair I introduce you to Mimi Rousseau, 35, who used to be a chef
in San Francisco, but after life dealt her a blow – or rather death did – she
returned home to Nouvelle Vie, an unincorporated enclave in Napa Valley with
her tail between her legs. Thankfully with the help of a mentor/benefactor, she
is able to open her own bistro and neighboring bed-and-breakfast inn. The
bistro features French food at its best. The bed-and-breakfast is a charming
place designed with a Monet theme. I am loving writing this series. I adore
spending time with new characters.
- What
is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer and what inspires you
and keeps you motivated?
There are two challenges at
all times. Writing the book – mostly the middle that I call the “muddy middle”
and feeling like it’s fresh and new and has plenty of twists and turns. Then
there’s the PR for promoting a book. Yipes. I think very few authors are
prepared for the rigors of promotion.
- What
are you working on now and what are your future writing plans?
I’m working on the second
book in the French Bistro Series, Soufflé
of Suspicion. I’m also preparing to release another suspense novel in early
2018, and I’m crafting a new cozy mystery series that I hope my publisher will
love and want to snap up.
- What
is a typical workday for you and how many hours a day (or week) do you
devote to writing?
It depends, but mainly I
write about 3 hours in the morning and another 3 in the afternoon. Of course
life’s little issues or PR can discombobulate this plan, but that’s my aim.
What I try to write each week is 1-2 chapters in whatever I’m working on, plus
a page or two in whatever new I’m formulating.
- Plotter
or Pantser?
I am a plotter. I love
writing an outline. BUT the outline can morph and change at all times. It’s
like a road map. It gest me from point A to point B – yes, I know the ending of
my books – but like on a road trip, you can take roads to the left and right
for an excursion. I just wrote a chapter that was not in my outline at all, and
I loved it. A new character wanted a
little extra page time. How could I refuse?
- What’s
the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
I’ve jumped out of a
perfectly good airplane (with an instructor) – so much FUN! And I hitchhiked
around Ireland by myself. Dumb (a little
dangerous) but I survived and I really did enjoy the trip. I found out how
independent I was.
- What’s
one thing your readers would be surprised to find out about you?
I’m not a natural
blonde. LOL Okay, maybe learning that I was told by my
seventh grade teacher that I shouldn’t become a writer. And I believed him. It
took me a long, long time to find my confidence with putting thoughts to paper. Also, I’ve performed on stage a bunch, and I
adore it!! I sing and dance and act. I miss it. I haven’t done a show in a few
years. I don’t have time.
- What
question do you wish interviewers would ask? (And what’s the answer?)
Why do you like to write in
two different genres? I started as a
suspense writer. Actually I started as a screenwriter, but I didn’t find
success. Not because I wasn’t good but because we moved across country for my
husband’s career, and it was hard to proceed with that career from 3,000 miles
away. But I liked writing long form, so I started taking mystery classes. I
wrote a couple of mysteries, but found that I really enjoyed writing suspense
and thrillers. However, I didn’t find my initial success there. I found it in
cozy mysteries. And I learned that I really enjoyed writing them! But I still like to write suspense. So I am
doing both. It’s like wearing different hats when I do. The pace is different.
The voice is different. Getting my fans to understand that I’m not throwing
them over for a new “lover,” has been a challenge.
- Where can we learn
more about you and your books?
On my website. I have all
sorts of tidbits for you to read, watch, and learn. www.darylwoodgerber.com
- What’s
your favorite thing to have for lunch?
I love a tasty grilled
cheese sandwich – maybe with three kinds of cheese, onions, and jam. I also
love a Cheddar cheese and veggie omelet. I like protein in the middle of the
day because it helps me keep my eyes open so I can continue to write!
- Do
you collect anything?
I used to collect
butterfly-theme art. I have bunches of little doodads, but I stopped collecting
when our family continued to move. To Florida, North Carolina, Connecticut. You
find that collectibles really take up a bunch of space. I do have a ton of
Christmas ornaments. I don’t collect them, per se, but there was a time when I
couldn’t pass a Christmas store without buying a trinket. I’ve stopped doing
that, too.
- What
was your favorite book as a child?
I loved A Wrinkle in Time. It was a Newbury winner. I remember being very
afraid while reading it, but loving the adventure! I fell in LOVE with reading
when I had the measles and read the entire set of Nancy Drew in a week.
- What’s
something you’re always running out of?
Energy? No, I have plenty of that. Let’s go with staples: eggs and milk.
- What
is your go-to comfort food?
Grilled cheese! It used to be pasta with butter and cheese,
but since I became a celiac (and have to eat gluten-free), I don’t eat that as
much. I have a great gluten-free pasta, but it just doesn’t appeal like it used
to. I can make a delicious grilled cheese with gluten-free bread!
- If
you entered the witness protection program and had to start over, what job
would you want to do?
Chef. Not even a question. I
love to cook. I’d love to be really good at it, so I’d have to study under
someone good first. After that, maybe a country Western singer or a dance
instructor.
- What
is your most annoying habit?
Waking up repeatedly during
the night. But oftentimes I have new ideas, so I can’t complain. I’ve always
been a lousy sleeper but a great dreamer!
- What
would you love to have a never-ending supply of?
Good ideas and clever
characters!
- What’s
the last tv show that made you laugh?
I love old reruns of the Mary Tyler Moore show.
- What
store could you browse in for hours?
Any bookstore. A cookware
store.
- Who
is your favorite band?
I like individual artists. I
like Peter Cetera, Kenny Loggins, Natalie Cole, Sarah Brightman, YoYoMa,
Mozart. Very eclectic. And I love show tunes.
- How
do you rate in the kitchen?
I’m pretty good. Innovative.
I’m really good at making gluten-free recipes out of regular recipes.
- What
is always in your refrigerator?
Veggies, fruit, eggs, milk,
yogurt, cheese, and something sweet for my 10:30 a.m. snack.
Thank you so much, Daryl!
Folks you can find Daryl at:
Daryl will give away either GRILLING
THE SUBJECT from her Cookbook Nook Mysteries, FOR CHEDDAR OR WORSE from her
Cheese Shop Mysteries or a copy of her suspense novel, DAY OF SECRETS (sorry, A
Deadly Éclair is not available for giveaway yet!) plus some swag to TWO lucky
commenters!
To enter, leave a comment on
this blog post with your name and email address (entries without email will be
disqualified). For extra entries, you can do any or all of the below:
* Follow my blog (+ 1 point)
* Follow me on Twitter (+ 1 point) (Link: https://twitter.com/RoccoBlogger)
* Tweet about the contest (+ 1 point)
* Friend me on Facebook (+ 1 point) (Link: https://www.facebook.com/ToniLotempio)#!/
* Mention the contest on Facebook (+ 1 point)
* Mention the contest on your blog (+ 1 point)
* Mention the contest on your blog (+ 1 point)
Winner will be chosen at
random using random.org. Don’t forget to
mention all you’ve done in your comment. Also please specify your choice of
book. Contest ends midnight July 1st! Good luck!
Hi, Darryl! Great interview, Rocco!
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed many of Daryl's works, so sign me up!
Tonette
tonettemjs@gmail.com
I follow the blog
I am a Friend on FB
I shared on FB
I follow on Twitter
I tweeted
Thanks, Rocco. Daryl is a favorite author of mine.
ReplyDeleteWe are FB friends and I've linked this to my page
I visit regularly
I don't tweet or have a blog
libbydodd at comcast dot net
I love Daryl's books, including her suspense novels. And the blond might not be natural, but it looks fantastic on her. mbradeen@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteOh, and my choice of book would be Grilling the Subject.
DeleteFollow blog & FB.
ReplyDeleteA great post thank you. Such clever titles & I love the covers.
GRILLING THE SUBJECT thanks.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Daryl Gerber's book are great. I would like For Cheddar or Worse under the name of Avery Aames if my name is chosen. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com I follow your blog and am a friend on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. I follow Rocco on Twitter as jkrmurray.
ReplyDeleteI love all her series and would love to win any of them. I follow you by email and facebook. abeachlifesc (at ) yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great interview and opportunity u
I am a big fan of Daryl Wood Gerber and her other personae Avery Aames. Under both she has penned some great reading adventures. I would love to win the Cheese Shop book. Thank you for a great interview asking questions beyond just being a writer provides a nice look into Daryl as a person, too.
ReplyDeletekat8762(at)aol(dot)com
* Follow my blog (+ 1 point)
* Follow me on Twitter (+ 1 point)
* Tweet about the contest (+ 1 point)
* Friend me on Facebook (+ 1 point)
* Mention the contest on Facebook (+ 1 point)
I am trying to own all of her books in both digital and paperback. I am so glad she found her passion even when someone said not to try. FB friends, twitter follower, tweeted https://twitter.com/DogsMomLaura/status/879808676680413184
ReplyDeleteFollow blog by email, and shared on facebook.
wismomworks@gmail.com
DeleteA combined cookware & book store would be a great place to get lost in.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
Done:
Following your blog
Following on Twitter
Tweeted about the contest
Friends on Facebook
Mentioned the contest on Facebook
I would like Grilling the Subject. Thanks for the choise. Candykennedy45@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love all of Daryl' s books. I have read them all and love them. I can't wait for the new ones. I got my daughter and granddaughter hooked on them too. I have all her books so don't include me in contest. Great interview
ReplyDeleteFantastic interview Rocco. I'm not entering, because I've read Grilling The Subject, For Cheddar Or Worse and Day Of Secrets, and I loved them all. Daryl Wood Gerber is a phenomenal author!
ReplyDeleteI loved Grilling The Subject! I enjoy reading Daryl's books.
ReplyDeleteLovely interview. I enjoy both series, but I haven't read For Cheddar or Worse. I'd love to get that one. kchinetti at gmail dot com.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you write books I enjoy yours so much. For Cheddar or worse donamaekutska7@gmail.com
ReplyDelete