I’m Heather Weidner, and through the years, I have been a cop’s kid, technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager. I write the Pearly Girls Mysteries, the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, The Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries, and The Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries.
My short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, Deadly Southern Charm, Murder by the Glass, and First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder, and I have non-fiction pieces in Promophobia and The Secret Ingredient: A Mystery Writers’ Cookbook.
I am a member of Sisters in Crime: National, Central Virginia, Chessie, Guppies, and Grand Canyon Writers, International Thriller Writers, and James River Writers, and I blog regularly with the Writers Who Kill.
Originally from Virginia Beach, I have been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. I live in Central Virginia with my husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.
Where do you write? What, if any, distractions do you allow? I usually write in my home office. We live in a wooded community, and I have a large window looking out on the trees. My dogs hang out in the office with me, and they help me work through plot holes and listen as I read dialog aloud. While writing, I try to prevent as many distractions as possible by treating my time as work. I also try not to stop and research things while I’m writing. Every time I do, I start looking for something, and then I end up watching a video on dogs, giraffes, llamas….
Tell us about your writing process: It took me seven years to write and have my first novel published. I knew that if I wanted to write professionally, I needed to be able to speed up my process. I start by outlining the book, which takes 2-3 weeks. Then I write. I don’t always stick to the outline. Sometimes, the characters interfere, and the story veers off in a different direction. I have a word count that I try to make every day. On workdays (I still have a day gig), I try to do 1,000 words; on weekends, I strive for 3,000 words. If I stick to my plan, I can finish the first draft in 2-3 months.
What are you currently working on? I am writing book 5 in the Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries. I’m also working on the book launches for Deadlines and Valentines (book 4 of the Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries) on October 15, A Tisket a Tasket, Not Another Casket (book 3 in the Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries) in January 2025, and Murder Strikes a Chord, the first in the new Pearly Girls series in March 2025. I also have three manuscripts due to the publisher next year, and I want to do one last set of revisions.
Has an association membership helped you with your writing? Writing is a solitary and often lonely endeavor. I encourage every writer to find his/her team. Writing organizations are great for networking, training, learning about resources, and finding opportunities. I love my writing groups. The members have been so generous with their time and advice. I’m a member of Sisters in Crime (Central Virginia, Chessie, Grand Canyon Writers, and Guppies chapters), James River Writers, and International Thriller Writers.
Do you base any of your characters on real people? My characters are usually an amalgamation of a lot of personal traits from a variety of people. I don’t usually model them on a single person. I always get a kick out of people who think they recognize a real person in one of my characters.
Do you outline, or are you a pantser? I work in IT and manage a lot of efforts. I am a planner and a plotter. I have spreadsheets to track characters in each of my series. I also create fairly detailed outlines for each book before I start writing. This also makes it easier when I have to write the dreaded synopsis.
What kind of research do you do? Surprisingly, a lot of research goes into writing fiction. You need to make the crimes and motives plausible. Also, readers expect you to get the details right. For my series, I’ve researched vintage trailers, Sears Catalog houses, tiny houses, Victorian antiques, cryptids, and the history of honky-tonks. Research is one of the most fun parts of the writing process.
Do you have any advice for new writers? Writing is a business. Agents and editors are looking for manuscripts they can sell. Authors need to treat their writing and writing time as a business. Writing is also a lot of work. Not only do you need to write a book, but you also need to research, hone your skills, network, and market your work. It takes perseverance and determination.
DEADLINES AND VALENTINES launches on October 15, 2024.
Fern Valley, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is ground zero for all things romance. The town has pulled out all the stops for the first Valentine’s Day “Love is in the Air” Book Festival with events like Death by Chocolate, author speed-dating, a character masquerade, and a male cover model fashion show.
Everything is candy and roses until the sparks start to fly. Jules Keene and her team at the glamping resort try to tamp down fiery tempers because opposites may not always attract.
When a famous author with a heart of gold is found murdered in the barn at the resort, Jules has to find the culprit before more than just hearts are broken.
For Preorders: https://www.amazon.com/Deadlines-Valentines-Jules-Glamping-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0DGQX2XWH
How do our readers contact you?
You can see my books and events or check out my blog at http://HeatherWeidner.com.
Heather’s Social Media Links:
Website and Blog: http://www.heatherweidner.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherWeidnerAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather_mystery_writer/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8121854.Heather_Weidner
Amazon Authors: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HOYR0MQ
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/HeatherBWeidner/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heather-weidner-d6430278-c5c9-4b10-b911-340828fc7003
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@heather_mystery_writer
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heather_weidner_author
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/HeatherWeidner1
Thanks for this, George and Heather. It caught my attention when Heather said there was a lot of research involved in writing fiction. I write HISTORICAL mysteries, which involves lots of research. I’d assumed it was largely due to the ‘historical’ part of my writing. Now I see there’s a lot of research with writing contemporary as well.
Thanks so much, Ruth. It’s all in the details. And historical fiction adds a whole other level to the research process.
Wow, Heather. I admire your output. I guess I am not as disciplined as you since I can only finish one book per year. I agree with you about research. I have done a lot over the years, and I find it fun to do. Cheers!
My process is a lot like yours, but not my speed or my output. I can do a book a year, although I did do 3 in 9 months each, but that was too much for me! The latest sounds great! Thanks for the interview.
Thanks for sharing. It meant a lot to me.
Thanks for sharing! I agree—writing is both a business and a lot of work! 😉
Can’t wait to see what Rocky gets up to in A DEADLY MATCH!