with Rebecka Vigus
We are delighted to welcome mystery author Rebecka Vigus to Omnimystery News today.
Rebecka's second book to feature Detective Macy McVannel is Crossing the Line (Lilac Publishing; December 2013 trade paperback and ebook formats). We recently had the opportunity to catch up with her to talk about her series.
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Omnimystery News: What is it about a series mystery that appeals to you as an author?
Photo provided courtesy of
Rebecka Vigus
Rebecka Vigus: I had written two standalone novels and one novella. My readers kept asking if there was going to be a sequel. So, I decided to try a series.
OMN: Into which genre would you place your books?
RV: I categorize my books as mystery. All contain suspense, some have thriller aspects. There is police procedural included. I don't like categories. I leave the gore/hard-boiled stuff to other writers. It makes is hard to find my audience. Most of my readers are mid-thirties to over eighty. I also have readers in the thirteen to thirty age bracket.
OMN: Tell us something about the series that isn't mentioned in the books' synopses.
RV: The main character in the series carries my maternal grandmother's maiden name. I wanted a unique name for her. I ran through dozens of names which just didn't work. When I settled on Macy, I needed a last name. I decided to look at my family tree for names. I hit on McVannel, texted my daughter and she thought it was awesome.
OMN: How much of your own personal or professional experience have you included in your books?
RV: My life gets into my books but unless you know me personally, you don't know it. I have had readers tell me they can see my personality in my books and it's what makes them good. I knew nothing about arson when I wrote Out of the Flames. Three months of research was involved. My readers who are fire fighters tell me I nailed it.
OMN: Describe your writing process for us.
RV: My writing process is called seat-of-the pants. I do not outline … it makes me crazy. I have created biographies for some of my characters. I hate writing a synopsis and do it last in a paragraph or two. I do let the story and the characters develop as I write. I start with an idea, look at it from several angles until I find one I think will work. Then I sit at my computer and write until my eyes are crossed. I put it aside usually just overnight. If the idea is good it will keep calling me back to the computer until I can get it all out. My characters have taken me down roads I never would have ventured on. Yes, I do argue with them. It makes them real to me. Sometimes, I have to rein them in when I know something will not work.
OMN: How true are you to the settings of your books?
RV: In my first novel, I thought I'd created a fictional place. I was dumbfounded when I learned Oak Grove is a real city in Michigan. One of my readers told me, reading my book was like taking a trip home. I have not yet been to Oak Grove, but I gather my description is not far off. I was just looking to make a small town setting, where everyone knows everyone and there are no secrets. That was the backdrop for the book Secrets.
In my mystery series, Rivers Edge is loosely based on West Branch, Michigan where I currently live. The west branch of the Rifle River runs through downtown. It is a small town and is in keeping with the type of stories I write. Because I have used my grandmother's maiden name I have come to regret not setting the books in my mother's hometown.
OMN: What kinds of feedback have you received from readers?
RV: My favorite questions come from readers who want to write. How did I get started? Where do I find ideas? Would I read something they wrote? My least favorite are the ones disguised as compliments. "I enjoyed your book, but did you know on page 78 you misspelled incongruous?" Just tell me you liked it or didn't. I know where misspellings and errors were not caught. I try to catch them all, but I am only human.
OMN: What is the best advice — and harshest criticism — you've received as an author?
RV: The best advice came from Matthew Clemens. I had paid for him to review the first 5,000 words of my then work-in-progress. He told me I had a few minor things missing and what they were, but went on to say I had a wonderful way with words. He was hooked.
The harshest criticism came from a fellow author who told me my writing was on an elementary level and I was ignorant for trying to pass it off as my "style."
I have learned to never give up. To write from my heart and if the first draft isn't right fix it. Study writing, all forms. Study the authors who write what you want to write. What are they doing to set themselves apart?
OMN: If your mystery series were to be adapted for television or film, who do you see playing the part of Macy McVannel?
RV: I'd have a hard time finding an actress to play her. I have a model friend who would be perfect to play Macy and I'd hope they would consider her. I have not really given much thought to it. I'd like the characters on television or screen to be much like the ones created in my books. Macy is not nor will she ever be a blonde.
OMN: What are some of your outside interests? Have any of these made their way into your books?
RV: I crochet, making afghans and baby layettes for relaxing. I also love to hike and swim. I have a love/hate relationship with food. Cooking and food do make their way into my writing. Swimming and hiking sometimes get mentioned but rarely play a huge role in what I write.
OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young? Do you think any of these influenced how and what you write today?
RV: I have always been a voracious reader. I read Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys growing up. As a teen I read Phyllis A. Whitney and Victoria Holt. I don't know if the genre influenced my decision or if it's because I like to solve puzzles. I never take the straight route to get my characters to where they are going. I want people to think and see if they can get to the final results before I reveal them.
OMN: And what do you read now for pleasure?
RV: Thrillers, suspense, historical romance, romance, mystery … the list is endless. I sometimes read non-fiction.
OMN: Do you have any favorite series characters?
RV: VI Warshawski, created by Sara Paretsky; Jonathon Grave, created by John Gilstrap; Jack Reacher, created by Lee Child; Alex Cross, created by James Patterson; Kay Scarpetta, created by Patricia Cornwall are my favorite series characters.
OMN: Create a Top 5 list for us on any topic.
RV: Top 5 books on writing:
1) If You Can Talk, You Can Write by Joel Saltzman;
2) The Weekend Novelist by Robert J. Ray;
3) The Artists Way: A Spiritual Path to Greater Creativity by Julia Cameron;
4) Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maas;
5) The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life by Julia Cameron.
There are more, but anyone who is serious about writing will have a collection of books on writing.
OMN: What's next for you?
RV: I am working on a couple of things. The fourth book in the Macy series, Something Borrowed, Something Blue and a children's anthology I hope to have out for Christmas titled Of Moonbeams and Fairy Dust.
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For more information about the author, please visit her website or find her on Facebook and Twitter.
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Crossing the Line
Rebecka Vigus
A Macy McVannel Mystery
When an attempted suicide brings Detective Macy McVannel and her partner Detective Tom Maxwell to a local high school, it opens up a case that makes them question all they know about the teenage population.
Though bullying stands at its core, the investigation uncovers secrets too shocking to fathom and a threat so widespread it threatens every student at the school.
Will the detectives uncover the truth and expose those responsible before someone else is hurt? Can the stop the predator from once again crossing the line?
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