What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
I always write about underdogs. Mainly women in the middle of their lives who still haven’t quite got anything figured out just yet. I myself fit this description. Actually, it’s led to an interesting life for me and my characters. Doreen Diller is just such a woman. At 40, she’s still trying to make it as an actress when she lands a role playing a serial killer in a low-budget series. Unfortunately, the people in the small town think she’s the real thing. So does her family. Oops.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
Pretty much the entire soundtrack to Bridget Jones’s Diary.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I love to read women’s fiction with a mystery thread. That’s why I write women-centric mysteries with a lot of fun and heartfelt character interaction.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
She’s Up to No Good, The Martian, Miss Benson’s Beetle.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
When the main character, Doreen, gets stuck working on a food truck, she spots a cop she accidentally shot in the butt approaching, so she dives into the back of the van to hide. As her luck would have it, she ends up getting French-kissed in the ear by a parrot that the food truck operator had stowed back there. Did I mention Doreen was on the phone in the middle of a job interview at the time?
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
Not really. I find the pressure of impending poverty to be quite enough to keep me writing.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
Yes! Every life should have some lunacy in it.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
That life is absurd, and we should all take the time to laugh at ourselves and enjoy the journey.
Margaret Lashley is the author of the new book Almost a Birdbrain Idea (Doreen Diller Humorous Mysteries Book 5)
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