Author Interview—Jann Franklin

After posting in a couple of my writer’s groups, I was overwhelmed with responses from authors asking to be interviewed on my blog. I’ve got a great line-up of talented writers and interesting books for you to get to know this year. Although I took a break from blogging during my New Zealand adventure, I’m back to doing interviews this week with Jann Franklin, author of several books, including the recently published cozy mystery, Muffalettas and Murder. Enjoy the interview!

About the Author

Jann Franklin lives in the small town of Grand Cane, Louisiana with 298 other people. Many of her stories came from living the small-town life. Like her heroines, she was dragged kicking and screaming back to a small town. But now she can’t imagine living her life any other way.

She and her husband John enjoy Sundays at Grand Cane Baptist Church, supper with family and friends, and the sense of community that comes from living the small-town life. Their kids come to visit, when they aren’t too busy living their big-city lives.

Interview

Who or what inspires you to write?

My husband is my biggest fan. But the joy of visiting with my characters each day, learning more about them, inspires me to start and finish each book.

It sounds like you have a great relationship with your characters, with curiosity about them driving your momentum. What is the best thing that has happened because of your writing?

Readers telling me how much they enjoy my books, how they identify with the characters, and that they can’t wait for the next one.

Hearing from happy readers is very gratifying. It makes the long, sometimes difficult hours at the keyboard worthwhile. What is the most difficult thing you have experienced about writing or publishing?

Getting the word out that I’ve written a book! I’m an introvert, so it’s hard for me to do all the things I should do for marketing. But I’m learning.

Marketing books is really hard for introverts, and many writers are introverts. Was there anything you didn’t do during your writing or publishing journey that you wish you had?

I wish I’d had more faith in myself and my writing. I just kept thinking no one would like my books.

I think many writers suffer from imposter syndrome, feeling unqualified, incompetent, or undeserving of their achievements. Do you have a publisher and/or agent, or are you an indie (self-published) or hybrid author?

I’m an indie author, and darn proud of it!

You should be proud, writing and publishing a book is a tremendous achievement, no matter which genre you choose! Which genre(s) do you like to write in, and why?

Humor runs throughout all my books. I started writing general Christian fiction. But no one knows how to market it. My first two books are part of a series, but my third one (released in February) is a cozy mystery. It has been much easier to market, because people understand the genre.

Cozy mystery is a very popular genre, as are mysteries in general. Do you outline your books before you write them?

Sort of. The general fiction books I knew the stories I wanted to tell, but I didn’t outline them. I just had one or two lines. For the cozies (I’m writing another one), I wrote each clue on an index card, and plotted which clues would be revealed in which chapter. Then I would keep the cards for each chapter I wrote beside me, making sure I included them. Sometimes the characters wouldn’t cooperate, and I’d have to push clues to the next chapter. I’m definitely not a plotter-I’m more of a pantser. Maybe a plantser?

Plantser, I love it! Now we have a third type of writer, those who know a bit of the plot and then write from the seat of their pants. That sounds like a successful way to approach writing. How do you define success as a writer?

My goal this year is to break even, i.e., pay for my writing. But I’m bound and determined to make money at this!

Making money as a writer can be a real struggle, because it’s expensive to produce quality books and there is so much competition from other authors. But it sounds like you have the determination to get there. If you could have lunch with any author, who would it be?

Mark Twain–he was such a storyteller!

Mark Twain was a gifted writer, for sure. He brought us along on many great adventures. Tell us about a great adventure you’ve had.

Motherhood is by far the greatest adventure I’ve ever had. And I’m still having it—about to be a mother-in-law.

Congratulations on the addition to your family! Jann, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.

Readers, you can learn more about Jann and her books at her website, https://www.jannfranklin.com/. Find out about her latest book, below.

Muffalettas and Murder (Book 1 in the Small Town Girl Mysteries)

Evangeline Delafose is finding Graisseville, Louisiana just as she remembered—boring and uneventful. Until her brother Nate asks her to help solve a murder.

Follow Ev as she navigates clues, dead bodies, and quirky small-town residents to solve a mystery. And of course, show her little brother that she’s still got it.

You’ll laugh, cry, and roll your eyes at the antics of this charming small-town Southern sleuth and her exasperating private investigator.

This book is the first of the Small-Town Girl Mystery Series.

You can purchase the book on Amazon here.

Readers, have you ever lived in a small town? Let us know in the comments!