All I want to do is have some fun (ie: crime) by Cathy Ace

“If you woke up one day not wanting to write another crime novel, what would you write instead?”

Out in Canada 18 October, USA November 1

My initial reaction to this question is “I haven’t a clue!” Pardon the crime-related pun, but, to me, it’s unavoidable…crime fiction is one of the few constants in my life, and I would find it difficult to step away from. One thing I do believe is that whatever one chooses to write, it should be something one reads…with breadth and depth of reading allowing one an insight into the field.

So…what do I read? Other than crime fiction (and non-fiction), I read biographies, auto-biographies (lots of “researchy” books when I need to) and I have shelves and shelves full of books about movies and the history of the movie industry, art and the history of art, architecture and the history of architecture, music and….you get the idea. I like human-created stuff. Oh, and I have a lot of books about food and gardening too. I also have half a room full of what people refer to as “The Classics” – though why they do that I don’t know because it makes them sound crusty and distant, and a well-written tale about human truths is as fresh the first time you read it – no matter the year – as the day it was written.  I enjoy reading poetry. I also love it when I have the chance to settle down with Shakespeare and speak aloud his magical words to my attentive dogs, because that – for me – is by far the best way to read Shakespeare…out loud, and with emotion,  feeling the rhythm of his words in your mouth. I’ve even read the entire Bible and the Nag Hammadi scriptures. Twice.  

Paperback out in Canada & USA November 1st

But as for writing something other than crime fiction? I have no idea what that would be. You see, even if I were tempted into historic or mythological territory, there’d still have to be a crime at the heart of the story for me to find it satisfying to write. The crime might not be murder – indeed, several of my books do not feature a murder at all – but there are so many other types of crimes to choose from it seems a pity to not do so. The basic storytelling backbone of good vs evil (and "playing" with those essentials) implies “evil” must be present, and usually that shows itself in the manner society would view as “a crime”. So…all that being said, I’m at a loss!

Cathy Ace writes the Cait Morgan Mysteries (book #8 THE CORPSE WITH THE RUBY LIPS was published in paperback on October 18th in Canada, and will be available on November 1st in the USA...order NOW!!!) and the WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries (book #2 THE CASE OF THE MISSING MORRIS DANCER was published in trade paperback on August 31st in the UK, and will be available on November 1st in the US/Canada). Please excuse the highly promotional nature of this post...but with two books being available to readers within such a small window, I owe it to myself and my publishers to do the best I can for the books by presenting them to readers whenever I can :-)

Find out more about Cathy and her work, and sign up for her newsletter at http://cathyace.com/   

"Jones the Voice" or "King the Fingers"? by Cathy Ace

What reading material is currently on your nightstand?

By way of full disclosure, I have no books on my nightstand. I never do, because I never read in my bed or bedroom. I know that’s where a lot of reading happens, but not for me. Why? By the time I hit the sack around 1am or 2am after my night-shift writing time, my husband and dogs are fast asleep, so no reading for me.

Also, since I had a new book published this week, and I’m at the stressful final-polishing-before-it-goes-to-my-agent stage of a manuscript, I haven’t the mental capacity to read a book by another author at this point . . . I think my head would explode! But on Friday I’ll email the manuscript, and I’ll be flying to Vegas (it’s Superbowl weekend and Vegas is my preferred place to watch the last game of the season before I sink into withdrawal from general NFL-ness) so I’m looking forward to reading one of two Christmas gifts. Each Christmas my husband and I buy each other a book – we don’t plan it that way, but we always do. As you can see, I have a choice: Tom Jones’s autobiography “Over the Top and Back” (yes, I’ve already looked at all the photos, and they have whetted my appetite); Stephen King’s “Joyland” (yes, I feel bad that I haven’t read it yet!). Tough choice!

Both books will make the trip, both will return home with us. Maybe largely unread – it all depends how Vegas-y our weekend becomes. The good thing is I know I’ll get to read them both, soon – and I still have the chance to decide which to read first.WOOT!

Cathy's second WISE Enquiries Agency Mystery, THE CASE OF THE MISSING MORRIS DANCER, was released in Canada and the USA on February 1st. Library Journal reckons it will "...delight M.C. Beaton and Jeanne M. Dams readers..." and Kirkus said of the four softly-boiled PIs "The diverse sleuths are charming." You can find out more about Cathy Ace, her WISE Women and Cait Morgan Mysteries, and even sign up for her bimonthly newsletter, at her website: http://cathyace.com/