Good Morning, Booklovers!
Welcome to this week’s Coffee Chat interview with Grace Topping, the author of Staging Wars.
It’s nice to have you on the blog, Grace. What may I get you to drink?
GT: Being married to an Englishman, we have tea (in a tea pot covered with a tea cozy) readily available all day. So I am a big tea drinker—with milk and no sugar.
Ally: No problem at all. While I pour, please tell readers something about your background.
Bio:
Grace Topping is a recovering technical writer and IT project manager, accustomed to writing lean, boring documents. Let loose to write fiction, she is now creating murder mysteries and killing off characters who remind her of some of the people she dealt with during her career. Fictional revenge is sweet. She used her experience helping friends stage their homes as inspiration for her Laura Bishop mystery series, which is about a woman starting a new career midlife as a home stager.
Grace is a former vice president of the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime, a member of the Steering Committee for the SINC Guppies, and a member of Mystery Writers of America. She lives with her husband in Northern Virginia.
Something unique/unusual: “I spent seven years in the Navy, which enabled me to travel all over the world. Four of those years I spent in London, England, where I met my British husband.”
Author Contact Links:
Webpage: www.gracetopping.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceToppingAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44098504-staging-is-murder?from_search=true&qid=XqTdmlj8JK&rank=1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gtoppingauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/staging-wars-by-grace-topping
Grace Topping is a recovering technical writer and IT project manager, accustomed to writing lean, boring documents. Let loose to write fiction, she is now creating murder mysteries and killing off characters who remind her of some of the people she dealt with during her career. Fictional revenge is sweet. She used her experience helping friends stage their homes as inspiration for her Laura Bishop mystery series, which is about a woman starting a new career midlife as a home stager.
Grace is a former vice president of the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime, a member of the Steering Committee for the SINC Guppies, and a member of Mystery Writers of America. She lives with her husband in Northern Virginia.
Something unique/unusual: “I spent seven years in the Navy, which enabled me to travel all over the world. Four of those years I spent in London, England, where I met my British husband.”
Author Contact Links:
Webpage: www.gracetopping.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceToppingAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44098504-staging-is-murder?from_search=true&qid=XqTdmlj8JK&rank=1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gtoppingauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/staging-wars-by-grace-topping
INTERVIEW:
Ally: What inspired you to write your featured book?
GT: I’ve always been a fan of mysteries, particularly traditional and cozy mysteries. It wasn’t until I attended Malice Domestic, a conference for fans and writers of traditional mysteries—mysteries written in the tradition of Agatha Christie (without violence, sex, or bad language) that I thought of actually writing one. I attended Malice for the first time with a friend who didn’t want to go alone. I had no idea what Malice was, but when I heard I would be able to meet some of my favorite authors, I couldn’t sign up fast enough. I discovered that the authors were ordinary people I could relate to and wondered if I could write a mystery too. So the seed to become a mystery writer was planted at Malice. In my most recent book, Staging Wars, I was inspired by my sister’s involvement and leadership of an arts group.
Ally: What do you find most rewarding about a writing career? Most negative or frustrating?
GT: One of the most rewarding things about having a writing career is the camaraderie you develop with other writers, editors, agents, audiobook narrators, and readers. I’ve had the good fortunate to make friends throughout the country and abroad with people who share an interest in mystery writing and production. The mystery writing community is a very supportive one. I probably wouldn’t be published if it hadn’t been for the friendship, support, and help I received from other writers, particularly from members of Sisters in Crime, a national organization that helps promote women crime writers.
The most negative aspect of having a writing career—most definitely is sitting too much. I’ve tried standing to write and recording while I walk, but there is something about seat in the chair and fingers on the keyboard that makes me the most productive. And if I could overcome my addiction to Facebook, I would be even more productive. I get some exercise from walking downstairs to the microwave to reheat my cup of tea—several times a day.
Ally: Do you know the book’s ending when you start writing? How specific is it? Does it ever change?
GT: Having spent a career as a technical writer for computer systems, I need to have the whole picture before I start to write. I need the structure of an outline, so I decide in advance who the victim is, what the motive of the murder was, and who committed the crime. So yes, I know how the book is going to end before I sit down at the computer. I may add things as I write, but the structure of my story stays the same.
Ally: What is your favorite social media? Why?
GT: I am so addicted to Facebook that if there were a Facebook Anonymous group, I should join. I tweet occasionally and have one posting on Instagram, but the majority of time I favor Facebook. It enables me to belong to a number of mystery writing and mystery reader Facebook groups. I learn a lot from the writing groups and enjoy interacting with readers. If I don’t control my addiction, I’m never going to get the next book in my series finished.
Ally: What will be your next book? Projected release date?
GT: The next book in my Laura Bishop home staging series will be book three, which doesn’t have a title yet or a release date—but I’m hoping it will be out next spring—in time for the Malice Domestic Conference, which will probably be a virtual conference.
Ally: Which of the short answer questions did you choose?
GT:
Ally: I enjoyed our chat, Grace. I hope you’ll return again. In the meantime, will you show us your featured book, Staging Wars?
GT: Of course, and thank you, Ally, for having me here today.
Ally: What inspired you to write your featured book?
GT: I’ve always been a fan of mysteries, particularly traditional and cozy mysteries. It wasn’t until I attended Malice Domestic, a conference for fans and writers of traditional mysteries—mysteries written in the tradition of Agatha Christie (without violence, sex, or bad language) that I thought of actually writing one. I attended Malice for the first time with a friend who didn’t want to go alone. I had no idea what Malice was, but when I heard I would be able to meet some of my favorite authors, I couldn’t sign up fast enough. I discovered that the authors were ordinary people I could relate to and wondered if I could write a mystery too. So the seed to become a mystery writer was planted at Malice. In my most recent book, Staging Wars, I was inspired by my sister’s involvement and leadership of an arts group.
Ally: What do you find most rewarding about a writing career? Most negative or frustrating?
GT: One of the most rewarding things about having a writing career is the camaraderie you develop with other writers, editors, agents, audiobook narrators, and readers. I’ve had the good fortunate to make friends throughout the country and abroad with people who share an interest in mystery writing and production. The mystery writing community is a very supportive one. I probably wouldn’t be published if it hadn’t been for the friendship, support, and help I received from other writers, particularly from members of Sisters in Crime, a national organization that helps promote women crime writers.
The most negative aspect of having a writing career—most definitely is sitting too much. I’ve tried standing to write and recording while I walk, but there is something about seat in the chair and fingers on the keyboard that makes me the most productive. And if I could overcome my addiction to Facebook, I would be even more productive. I get some exercise from walking downstairs to the microwave to reheat my cup of tea—several times a day.
Ally: Do you know the book’s ending when you start writing? How specific is it? Does it ever change?
GT: Having spent a career as a technical writer for computer systems, I need to have the whole picture before I start to write. I need the structure of an outline, so I decide in advance who the victim is, what the motive of the murder was, and who committed the crime. So yes, I know how the book is going to end before I sit down at the computer. I may add things as I write, but the structure of my story stays the same.
Ally: What is your favorite social media? Why?
GT: I am so addicted to Facebook that if there were a Facebook Anonymous group, I should join. I tweet occasionally and have one posting on Instagram, but the majority of time I favor Facebook. It enables me to belong to a number of mystery writing and mystery reader Facebook groups. I learn a lot from the writing groups and enjoy interacting with readers. If I don’t control my addiction, I’m never going to get the next book in my series finished.
Ally: What will be your next book? Projected release date?
GT: The next book in my Laura Bishop home staging series will be book three, which doesn’t have a title yet or a release date—but I’m hoping it will be out next spring—in time for the Malice Domestic Conference, which will probably be a virtual conference.
Ally: Which of the short answer questions did you choose?
GT:
- A memorable book: Some books stay with you long after you’ve read them. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear is one of those books. Maisie has a humble beginning and grows into a wise, intelligent, and successful woman—one you root for. It’s the first in the Maisie Dobbs series and every book in the series is better than the last.
- An item on my bucket list: I want to travel to a place where I can get an excellent view of the night sky so I can see the Milky Way.
- Most watched TV show: When I decided to write a cozy mystery, which required that my main character have a business or interest that is central to the mystery, the programs I watched on HGTV inspired me to make my main character a home stager. So I watch a lot of HGTV programs.
- Favorite quote: We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. -- Sir Winston Churchill.
- The best thing a book fan has said to you: I was nervous when my second book came out, wondering if it would measure up to my first book, which I had spent years refining. One reviewer said that my second book showed I had staying power. That was a relief.
- If you couldn’t write anymore, what would you want to do? It took me ten years to get published, so I’ve learned a lot along the way. If I couldn’t write anymore, I would enjoy teaching others what I learned to help them get published.
Ally: I enjoyed our chat, Grace. I hope you’ll return again. In the meantime, will you show us your featured book, Staging Wars?
GT: Of course, and thank you, Ally, for having me here today.
Staging Wars (A Laura Bishop Mystery)
Genre: Cozy mystery
Laura Bishop’s new home staging business is growing in popularity, though not with her nemesis. Laura has long suspected established interior designer Monica Heller of sabotaging her fledgling company—and having an affair with her late husband.
When the ultra-chic Monica is caught at the scene of a murder, Laura is plenty happy to imagine her languishing in a prison cell with bedsheets far from her normal 600-thread Egyptian cotton. But her delight is short-lived.
When Laura’s friends land on the police radar, Laura must overcome her dislike of Monica to help solve the crime. Not an easy task since Laura and Monica have been at war since second grade.
Buy Link:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Staging-Wars-Laura-Bishop-Mystery-ebook/dp/B084BT29GG
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/staging-wars-grace-topping/1136278009?ean=9781635115918
Genre: Cozy mystery
Laura Bishop’s new home staging business is growing in popularity, though not with her nemesis. Laura has long suspected established interior designer Monica Heller of sabotaging her fledgling company—and having an affair with her late husband.
When the ultra-chic Monica is caught at the scene of a murder, Laura is plenty happy to imagine her languishing in a prison cell with bedsheets far from her normal 600-thread Egyptian cotton. But her delight is short-lived.
When Laura’s friends land on the police radar, Laura must overcome her dislike of Monica to help solve the crime. Not an easy task since Laura and Monica have been at war since second grade.
Buy Link:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Staging-Wars-Laura-Bishop-Mystery-ebook/dp/B084BT29GG
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/staging-wars-grace-topping/1136278009?ean=9781635115918
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