Welcome to my Next Big Thing, the Funeral Planner Suspense Series. Geesh, writing a series is a very big thing. I wanted to try my hand at it; now I’m in the thick of the ‘thing,’ blinking my eyes like a frog in a hailstorm! More about me in a moment. Please note that Tiffany York is your next stop, next Wednesday, December 12th, to hear about her Next Big Thing. Her addy is:

http://www.tiffanynyorkauthor.com/

Now back to the Funeral Planner Suspense Series
Question 1: What are the working titles of your books?
FADEOUT and SWOON
Question 2: Where did the idea come from for the book?
Back in 2005 after my father died, my sister, my brothers and I began planning his funeral with a fairly traditional approach in mind, until my teacher-self spoke out in alarm: “The children will be watching!” In fact eight children under the age of 15 were going to be present; the youngest was two years old at the time. Could we design a funeral ceremony about the death of a loved one that wouldn’t frighten children? Indeed, could we use the event as a teachable moment?

Our second challenge: most of the grandchildren knew my father during the time he was bewildered by Alzheimers. What could we provide in the ceremony that would show the audience he once lived a robust and productive life?

My character, a boutique funeral planner emerged out of this experience.

Question 3: What genre does your book fall under?
Suspense spiked with romance

Question 4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Michelle Williams would play Jan Solvang
Jake Gyllenhall (shaved) might work for Roman

Question 5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your series? She’s a boutique funeral planner whose clients refuse to rest in peace.

Question 6: Will your books be self-published or represented by an agency? Wild Rose Press publishes FADEOUT; I’m self-pubbing SWOON

Question 7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
About eight months each

Question 8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
By book #2, SWOON, Jan develops some first grade detective skills and she sticks with the same man she fell in love with in FADEOUT.  Sort of J.D. Robb, Cherry Adair, Linda Howard.

Question 9: Who or what inspired you to write this book? When I told people about the concept, their eyes lit up. Once, at a conference, a writer/publisher actually offered me money for the concept. I HAD to write the book…then decided to write the series.

Question 10: What else about this book might pique the reader’s interest? My heroine is burdened with a fainting disorder along with a need to keep a suitcase packed. She also inherited her mother’s dog, a little Scottie with an attitude. He’s cute, but he comes with his own set of mysteries.

Check out my website for information about buying my books:

http://www.rolynnanderson.com

Be sure to check in on Tiffany York’s Big Thing next Wednesday on”

http://www.tiffanynyorkauthor.com/

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