A Romantic Comedy Interview & Giveaway

I'd like to welcome D.E. Haggerty to the blog today.

Kathy: Molly's Misadventures is described as a romantic comedy. I've heard of movies described as such, how does a novel fit into this genre?

DEH: The idea is to have a romance novel that – in addition to being a sweet love story – makes you snort laugh while reading it. And if you’re in public and can’t hold in that snort laugh? Well, then my work here is done.


Kathy: Molly has what could be described as a "worst date ever". Was this date based on personal experience?

DEH: Funny enough, it was based on an idea from my husband. We were walking in the mall and the security alarms in a store went off. He started a “what if” scenario and I ran with it.


Kathy: What first drew you to romances?

DEH: To be perfectly honest, my muse just tells me where to go and I blindly follow her. She gives me great ideas and I’m not going to anger her by ignoring any ideas she chooses to bless me with.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

DEH: Although all my novels involve romance to some degree or another, Molly’s Misadventures is my first book that is strictly romance. My previous works always involved a mystery to solve or were more in the suspense category.


Kathy: Tell us about your books.

DEH: I started my published writing career with Unforeseen Consequences, a novel about four women in the military together who are hiding a big secret. I was in the Army myself and wanted to try and portray what it’s like for women in the military. Buries Appearances, my second novel, is a historical mystery very loosely based upon my father-in-law’s family history. After that I decided to write a novel about what would make a woman walk away from her so-called perfect life. Life Discarded was the result of that idea. My friend convinced me to try chick-lit and I ended up writing three cozy mysteries in my Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives series.


Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

DEH: Oh gosh, that’s like trying to pick a favorite child! I think my favorite character is always the current heroine I’m writing. I mostly write in first person so I often start to think and act like my characters.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

DEH: This book was inspired by a friend’s Facebook post. She was newly separated from her husband and going out on her first date in more than a decade. Her post was hilarious! I started thinking about a heroine who was recently divorced and needed a change in her life. Before I knew it, the bones of Molly’s Misadventures were scratched into a new journal and I was on my way!


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

DEH: I’ve always been writing something. At some point in my legal career, I took a break and wrote my first novel Unforeseen Consequences. I briefly looked for an agent, but soon enough, I was back at the law. When I kept complaining about my career, my husband suggested I self-publish. I may have pushed him out of the way as I ran to the attic to find my manuscript.


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

DEH: Stephen King. My husband bought his book, On Writing, for me when I was thinking about taking my writing seriously and it was such an inspiration.

Antony Beever. Although he’s more of a historian than writer, I am a totally history geek (thus the degree in history) and would love to pick his brain.

Amitov Ghosh. Not only is he a great author, but he’s an activist with well-formed opinions on international politics. And I’m a bit obsessed with Indian writers.

Khaled Hosseini. Of course he’s a writer, but he has such an interesting life story as well. I’d love to pick his brain.

Leo Tolstoy. Famous Russian author. Need I say more?


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

DEH: I read at least a book a day – mostly for reviews for other authors. I also normally have a history book or autobiography I’m working on at the same time. At the moment I’m reading The Romanov Sisters by Helen Rappaport. I have a degree in history and am totally obsessed with Russian (pre-Soviet Union) history.


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

DEH: Besides reading books like they are going out of style? Yeah, I’m a total book worm like that. I also like to play tennis, run, watch movies, and travel the world.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

DEH: Beer, wine, cheese, and bread. Oh wait, that makes it sound like we never have food in the house. Um, that’s kind of right though.


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

DEH: Some readers have bugged me to write more books in my Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives series, but I’m happy to leave the crazy old codgers alone for now. I’m not sure about doing another series. I did like writing the series and – bonus – it was great for sales! Who knows? I never meant to write a series in the first place.


Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

DEH: That’s easy! I love the freedom of writing. I can write anywhere at any time. This is totally awesome when you have a pilot husband and pilot friends with their weird schedules and you need to follow your husband to strange lands for the best career opportunities.

a Rafflecopter giveaway