Let’s welcome Connie back to the
Scribbler.
On her last visit she shared a
delightful short story – Fish Girl – and if you missed
it, please go HERE.
I met Connie quite a few years ago
when I discovered her clever short stories on Commuterlit.com. She has been a
guest several times since then and it is a real treat to have her back for the
Story Behind the Story.
Please make note that Connie will be
sharing more of her short stories in the very near future in our SHORTS page
Tell us about you novel, Connie.
Connie
Cook is a Retired Registered Nurse. As background research for the novel, she
completed an online course to become a private investigator. Connie enrolled in
writing classes and has been writing ever since. Her short stories have been
published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, Pacific Magazine, CommuterLit and
Feminine Collective.
Working
Title: Follow the Money, a Diana Darling Private
Investigator Novel
Synopsis: Look out, there’s a new private investigator on the scene and
her name is Diana Darling. In her forties and unsatisfied with her life as a
number cruncher, Diana takes the plunge and completes an online course to
become a private investigator. The ink is still wet on her certificate and her
business, The Diana Darling Private Investigator Agency has just opened, but
she has already landed her very first client.
While on her
first case investigating an extramarital affair, Diana collides with bona fide
Detective James Woods. As it turns out, James and Diana are on the same
case-just from different sides. The ongoing investigation intertwines their
lives as James and Diana go undercover at a couples retreat, witness a church
shooting, visit a strip club frequented by seniors and bikers, and eventually
Follow the Money to the Cayman Islands.
But along the way, there’s another conflict brewing: Diana falls for James. They try to remain professional, but the romantic feelings for one another are palpable. Soon Diana discovers that it’s never too late to fall in love and it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.
The Story Behind the Story: I’ve always been a longtime reader. Favorite author is Janet Evanovich and I’m a huge fan of her Stephanie Plum series. I love her style and the voice in her writing. Part way through my career as a Registered Nurse, I felt the need for a break. Found an ad in the local newspaper for an investigator at a place called the Darling Detective Agency. All they required was a background check. That was completed and in fact they did hire me. But when I found out it only paid minimum wage and my first job would finding shop lifters at a mall in a ‘not so great area’, I chose to stick with nursing. Glad I did! But the idea never left me. One day on the way to a writing class, I drove by a store called “The Spy Store.” Stopped on the way home and picked up a spy pen. The rest is kind of history. Started the novel and never quit. I just wanted it to be a romantic comedy and hoped it would give readers a laugh or two. To date I’ve sold approximately 300 copies.
Website: connielynncookauthor.com
A
question for you Connie:
Do you hear from your readers? What do they say?
I do hear
from them. Most common comment is that they were laughing after the first
chapter. Another lady said she read it in two days and loaned it to her son.
The rest of the comments are similar. Many from fellow writers in my writing
group, and trust me they can be a critical group. I take the comments to heart
and I’m happy to have made people have a giggle.
Thank you for being our guest this week,
Connie. Happy to have you back. Wishing you all the best in your writing
journey.
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And a special thank you to you, our
visitors and readers. You make it all worthwhile.
Please leave a comment if you like.
We’d like to hear from you and please
tell us who your favorite author is or your favourite book.
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