We had the pleasure of chatting with Abby Collette about A Game of Cones, which is the sequel to her debut novel A Deadly Inside Scoop!
Hi, Abby! Tell us a bit about yourself!
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Abby Collette loves a good mystery. She was born and raised in Cleveland, and it’s a mystery even to her why she hasn’t yet moved to a warmer place. Along with the Ice Cream Parlor mysteries, she is the author of the Logan Dickerson Mysteries, the southern cozy mystery series featuring a second-generation archaeologist and a nonagenarian who is always digging up trouble. She is also the author of the Romaine Wilder Mysteries, set in East Texas, which pairs a medical examiner and her feisty auntie who owns a funeral home and is always ready to solve a whodunit. Abby spends her time writing, facilitating writing workshops at local libraries and spending time with her grandchildren, each of whom are her favorite.
Abby is a member of Crime Writers of Color, and the Sisters in Crime national, regional and guppy chapters.
After the chaos that was 2020, have you set any goals for this year? If so, how are they going so far? I have set all kinds of goals!
Get out more. Travel. Go TO the grocery store. But I think the biggest goal I set for myself and the one I believe I will follow through on is my physical health. Staying in and being inactive have opened my eyes about how much we can fall apart as we age. I’m going to try and turn back the clock by eating healthier and exercising more. So far, so good, but check back in with me in six months. We’ll see how I’m doing.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
The Bobbsey Twins is the first fictional book I can remember reading. My first memory of favorite reading material, however, was the encyclopedia. We used to get the World Book, one letter of the alphabet at a time, and I would read them cover to cover, anxiously awaiting the next instalment.
There wasn’t a book that made me want to become an author. My story is a little different. I started writing books because I needed something to occupy my mind while I was sick and stuck in bed.
But the book I can’t stop thinking about is Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. She tells a story of the every day life of i’s characters, until the fire, nothing so exciting happens and still the story captivates you.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I found out I was a good writer after going to college and have enjoyed it ever since.
A Game of Cones is the follow-up to your debut novel, A Deadly Inside Scoop, and it’s out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
A fun-filled, family-oriented whodunit!
What can readers expect?
Always from my books readers will get a sense of family, and sometimes there is humor and of course a murder to solve.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing the sequel and how you were able to overcome them?
The only challenges are trying to remember the attributes that I’ve given characters and descriptions of places. But my wonderful editor has given me a glossary of sorts that helps me.
If it’s not too spoilery, is there a favourite moment you enjoyed bringing to the page?
I love Riya’s martial arts ability and try to put it in the books whenever I can. I got to put that in A Game of Cones and it was oh so fun!
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?
I don’t know that I’ve ever received any writing advice. I have had people tell me about the rules of writing and that has been very helpful. I try to learn something knew about writing
What’s next for you?
Writing! I’m going to write as many books as I can. So stay tuned.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
My favorite, Little Fires Everywhere and for cozy readers, any of V.M. Burns’ series.
Yes I love both of her series and can’t wait for more.