Interview with Darcy Scott


When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I think I was about 12 years old. I remember very clearly taking a train trip from Washington D.C. to New York City and I deciding to start a story about Paul McCartney; I was totally infatuated with him at the time. It was a romance of sorts—Paul as a man smitten and myself as the object of his desire—and dragged on for some 40 pages (it was a long train ride). It was truly horrible. After much consideration, I wisely opted not to submit it to Seventeen Magazine.

What genre do you write and why?
I write both mysteries and psychological thrillers. My first book, Hunter Huntress (Snowbooks, UK, 2010) was a bit of both. No idea why I’m attracted to the genre, probably something about  the sudden plot twists and red herrings I find popping up in my work. I’ve been known to incorporate bits of the paranormal and historical fiction in there as well.

Tell us about your latest book.
Reese’s Leap (Maine Authors Publishing, 2013) is the second in my Maine Island Mystery Series. The books all feature the bachelor botanist Gil Hodges who has a bit of a problem with impulse control when it comes to women and alcohol. In this story, five high-powered women enjoying a remote all-female retreat are forced to host host him when he’s unexpectedly standed in thick as fog. When a diabolical stranger appears out of nowhere bent on a twisted and brutal revenge, Gil has to put everything on the line to save them, even as he knows not everyone will make it off the island alive.


What marketing methods are you using to promote your book? 
A self-sponsored book tour, blog tours, and I social network everything to death. I run free promotions from time to time. I also put the postcard of another book in the series inside each book I sell.

What formats is the book available in?
Softcover and all e-formats.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
You mean besides reading everything I can get my hands on? I’m a liveaboard sailor from May through October, during which time my husband and I do a lot of sailing along the Maine coast where the island mysteries are set. This summer we’re building a house, as well, so it’s all pretty crazy.

Who are your favourite authors?
I read everything by Dennis Lehane. I especially like his Kenzie & Gennaro mysteries; he never misses a beat with dialog. I also love the British mystery writer, Sophie Hannah and Tana French for her evocation of the Irish crime scene.

What advice do you have for other writers?
You won’t stand a chance in today’s market if you don’t have an insane belief in yourself. My first novel, Hunter Huntress, was rejected by over 40 publishers before Snowbooks took it on. You have to have a thick skin and the attitude that every “no” gets you closer to “yes.”

You also need to realize that no matter who your publisher is, chances are you’re going to be doing most of your book’s marketing yourself. Write your own press releases, arrange your own appearances—all that. It’s important to educate yourself early in the process, so you can hit the ground running.

Darcy at helm
What's your favourite quote about writing?
I’m always discovering great new ones! My latest favorite is by Aristotle, “Character is action.” Dennis Lehane used this in a terrific article he wrote for The Writer in January, 2000, though he believes that character is not merely the action, it is the single most important element in creating story. It’s a wonderful article: http://www.iw.net/~nnburk/bcresources/lehane.htm .

Darcy Soctt
What's the best thing about being a writer?
For me it’s two things. The first is getting lost in worlds of my own creation, the challenge of making them not only realistic but compelling to the reader. My second favorite thing is talking about them, and about writing in general. I come away from every appearance, every reading feeling completely jazzed—whether there were 10 or 50 people there.

Where can people find out more about you and your writing?
My website: www.DarcyScott.net, where they can also email me directly if they have questions, and also on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Author.Darcy.Scott

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1 Comments

  1. CMash13 August 2013 at 14:06

    I have seen rave reviews for this title so found this interview interesting and enjoyable. Thank you for introducing Ms. Scott.

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