BooksChatter: ℚ Run: Charlotte Marshall Mysteries [1]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Becky Johnson to talk about Run (11 June 2014, Becky Johnson, 2nd edition 198 pages) a mystery / suspense which is book one of the Charlotte Marshall Mysteries.

About the Author | Synopsis | Teaser | The Series | About the Author | Tour Stops

A big welcome to author Becky Johnson. Thank you for joining us on BooksChatter. First of all I'd like to say that we have read the excerpts for all three books in the series and the sound really captivating - we cannot wait to read them!

What was the inspiration for Run, the first instalment in the Charlotte Marshall Mysteries?

"The beginning of the book is based on true events. I remembered this news story from when I was a child about a murdered girl. From there the story just grew. "

How much of yourself is reflected in the book, and how?

"The main character Charlotte has a lot of me in her. She is an extreme version of myself. She probably has the best and the worst of me."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your new cover for the second edition of Run - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"I always knew I wanted the cover to be a little dark and scary. It wasn’t until I worked with Lori Follet at Wicked Book Covers that I felt like the cover in my head really came together on paper. I was so excited when I got the proof copies!"

Why should we read your book and what sets it apart from the rest?

"Run is, to me, a much deeper story than just a mystery. It is about learning to trust yourself and follow your instincts even when it doesn’t seem logical."

Can you tell us something quirky about Run, its story and characters?

"Run is unique for a couple of reasons. For one reason I tried everything in the book. I wanted to be able to write realistically so I even went so far as to have a friend tie me up so I could see what it felt like.

One of the characters in the book is a cat named Kitty. She is based on my cat Sam. Sam was a rescue cat called Miss Kitty when I got her."

Thank you Becky for sending us a picture of you with Sam :-) We love cats at BooksChatter!

Who would you recommend your book to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"I would recommend Run for fans of mystery/suspense. If you like Janet Evanovich or Stephanie Bond you may like Run!

Run is a clean mystery – the biggest feedback I have received from fans is that it is intense."

If you could / wished to Run and the Charlotte Marshall Mysteries series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"Hmmm I haven’t really thought about it. The location is easy – the book takes place almost entirely in New Jersey. Director – Joss Whedon, I love his work.

Actors – maybe Scarlett Johansson or Jennifer Lawrence for Charlotte and Daniel Craig or Gerard Butler for Jack."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I like to explore different genres. My favourite though would be mystery/suspense. I love to figure things out and I love to put people in impossible situations and have them figure out how to get out."

What is your writing process?

"Once I have an idea I start a document with all my brainstorming: pictures, places, and people. Then I start with character outlines and a basic outline of the story. Once I start writing the story tends to just flow, but I find it helps to have my characters and basic story line laid out from the beginning."

What is in store next?

"The third book in the Charlotte Marshall series comes out on July 21st.

I am currently working on a standalone suspense/thriller novel tentatively titled THEM.

The Charlotte Marshall series has some romance and some sorrow in the next few books. A character you meet at the end of Run definitely comes back, and she is a big part of the last book Redemption."

Many thanks again for joining and best wishes for the release of Redemption!