Author Interview – Heather Weidner

We work together to create a space for each voice. We help you along the process and allow you to be in a place with like-minded people. You have a story to tell, the world needs to hear it. We talk with Authors to discover what their journey is like and what they want to share with aspiring writers.

Heather Weidner is a Crime/Mystery author. Originally from Virginia Beach, and has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. We had the pleasure of having this Author interview – Heather Weidner for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Through the years, Heather Weidner has been a cop’s kid, technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager. She writes the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, The Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries, and The Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries.

Her short stories appear in The Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, Deadly Southern Charm, and Murder by the Glass. She has non-fiction pieces in Promophobia and The Secret Ingredient: A Mystery Writers’ Cookbook.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, Sisters in Crime – Chessie, Guppies, International Thriller Writers, and James River Writers. Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew.

She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.

When did you start writing?

In elementary school – I’ve always loved to read and write, and I’ve been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew.

What was it like growing up?

I was a C.K. (Cop’s Kid). I thought everyone talked about murder and mayhem at the dinner table. One of my first jobs was to help my dad pick up spent shell casings on the range after he practiced. When he was head of the SWAT team in the 70s, we melted down some of my old crayons to make dummy bullets for their training sessions. I learned all kinds of interesting things back then.

How was your early life?

I got my first library card in kindergarten, and that opened up so many new worlds. I love to read and learn new things. I owe so much to all my amazing teachers and librarians who encouraged me through the years.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

I think growing up in a police officer’s house was a huge influence, even though I didn’t know it at the time. I was exposed to a lot of his world, and it definitely helped me later in life as a mystery writer. I have always loved whodunnit books and movies. It was the perfect fit.

Tell us about your newest release.

Christmas Lights and Cat Fights is the third book in the Jules Keene Glamping mystery series. The town of Fern Valley, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is celebrating all things Christmas until some drama comes to town. The arguments and shoving matches escalate, and Jules has to solve a murder mystery before the season is ruined.

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

There are so many. I have always loved Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Agatha Christie.

What inspired you to write this book?

I love cozy mysteries, and it was a great fit for me and my writing style. The stories are light and fun, but the amateur sleuth uses her wits to solve the crime and bring justice. Jules restores vintage trailers for her glamping resort, and I had so much fun researching these. She and her boyfriend Jake have added tiny houses to the resort’s offering.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

I’m an IT manager by day. In my spare time, we like to travel, take pictures, and paddle our kayaks. We share our home with two crazy Jack Russell terriers.

What does your writing space look like?

My office is upstairs, filled with computer gadgets and books. Our house is in the woods, so I have a wonderful big window to watch the squirrels and birds.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?

How I got my head stuck in a rocking chair.

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

I am much faster these days. I write 2-3 cozy mysteries a year now. When I started, it took me five years to write the first book and another two to publish it. I spent way too much time rewriting. Now, I outline the entire book and write the first draft. I don’t go back and edit or rewrite until I’ve finished the first draft.

Favorite reads?

Mysteries, Thrillers, Suspense – Favorite Authors Libbie Klein, Ellen Bryum, Sherry Harris, Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, S. A. Cosby, Lee Goldberg, Diane Kelly, Bree Baker/Julie Anne LIndsey, K.L. Murphy, Lee Child

Do you have any book recommendations?

There are so many. Anything by S. A. Cosby, Diane Kelly, or Julie Anne Lindsey

What’s your next big project?

I am working on books 3-6 for the Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries. I just signed a contract for books 3-6 in the Jules Keene Glamping series. Many thanks to Level Best Books for letting me share the adventures of everyone in Fern Valley and Mermaid Bay.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Be persistent. Writing is a business, and you have to treat it that way. Work on your craft. Build your author platform/audience and network, network, network.