Emily Kimelman - Writing Mysteries all over the World

Emily Kimelman - Writing Mysteries all over the World
Emily Kimelman

Emily Kimelman is the best-selling author of more than seventeen novels. An author, mother, and traveler, Emily embodies the true meaning of wanderlust; she's written all over the world. As our Author of the day, she tells us all about her latest book, In Sheep's Clothing.

You have written the mysteries from all over the world - how have these different locations influenced your stories?

My travels totally influence my work and vice versa. I decide where to go in the world based, in part, on where I want to set my next mystery. But I also decide where to set my next mystery, based on where I want to go in the world. They go hand in hand.

The first novel in this box set, Strings of Glass, takes place in India. I lived there for several months while writing SoG and never would have attempted to set a story in that country without that first hand knowledge. I love India, it’s incredible and I truly enjoyed exploring it in real life as well as in my fiction. Being in a new place with a purpose (writing a book that is set there) helps me look at everything in a different way, it also helps me process my experiences.

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

I’m an entrepreneur as much as an author. Playing with numbers, and strategizing how best to reach new readers (and give them what they want) is totally fun for me. I love running my own business, writing what I want, and traveling the world. In terms of skills, I can ride horses, make a mean cup of chai, scramble one heck of an egg, and on a good day, hand out totally unreliable advice in a tone that makes it sound like I really know what I’m talking about.

Your books are very action-packed. How do you manage to keep your readers at the edge of their seats?

I keep myself on the edge of my seat while I’m writing and I figure the reader will have a similar experience. If I’m writing a book and getting bored I know it’s not working.

Why is the dog, Blue, such a prominent character in the series?

I love dogs, seriously love them. I adore the unique relationships that humans can have with them. And when I started this series, exploring that connection was one of the main things I wanted to do. Blue is the awesomest dog in the world and I can’t imagine Sydney Rye without him.

Do you have any interesting writing habits, what's your average writing day like?

I’ve started dictating all my first drafts. I live on an airstream so can follow good weather and am usually out the door with my recorder by about 8:30am. I start with a “free write” where I just talk about whatever is in my head. Then I’ll do a quick free write about whatever scene I want to write. Then I write it. And when I say write I mean talk out loud. It’s made a big difference for me physically. Us writers spend so much time in front of the computer it’s really great that I now get to take a nice long walk almost every morning.

What genre of books do you like to read? Do you limit yourself to only the genre that you write yourself?

I love most genres. I write mystery thrillers and romantic thrillers but when I’m in the middle of a first draft I can’t read in the same genre that I’m writing. So, if I’m writing Sydney Rye, I’m probably reading urban fantasy or paranormal romance.

Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?

My website is a great resource, it has links to all my social media and they can get the first two books in my Sydney Rye series for free when they sign up for my email list. Www.emilykimelman.com

This deal has ended but you can read more about the book here.