ABOUT THE BOOK
The alleged suicide of heroin king Jimmy “Sugar” Thomas has a lot of the locals in the backwater town of Mount Bloom asking questions. And the fall-out from his death has his only daughter delving – albeit unwillingly – into the spirit world and running from some harsh allegations made by her current love interest. Is it possible to have loved someone for a lifetime and still not have known him at all? Nicola Thomas is searching for the answer to that question while striving to maintain a status quo façade; and her life only grows more complicated when she joins a testosterone-driven fire department, takes in the local Bad Child, and falls in love.INTERVIEW WITH LUCY CROWE
Lucy, you and I met on a writers site, and I fell in love with your writing. How did you originally get started writing?
I actually started writing before I could write. I can remember my mother helping me put picture books together and penning in the dialogue for me. So the writing process, for me, is nearly as old as myself.
What's your favorite thing about the writing process?
I love having created characters who feel completely real to me – so real that occasionally they seem to solve problems on their own. It seems to me that a writer is often a conduit of sorts. Once we have created our characters, we are then at their mercy. But that’s a good thing, right??
I think so! Do you write every day?
I do try to write every day, whether on my current work-in-process, my blog, queries or whatever else needs to be done. Even if it’s only a tiny bit, I feel better at the end of the day if I have written.
What do you wish you’d done differently when you first started the publishing process?
I sometimes regret having not queried more widely. I think I was essentially lacking the confidence I needed to approach the very best in the business. Next time around, I am shooting for the stars!
Your characters and plots are very realistic. What do you think is more important – characters or plot? I am a character writer. I so enjoy creating a real person, complete with everything that makes us whole. I love the way the characters seem to take over the story and bend it to their own needs.
How often do you read?
Oh, every single day! I won’t be caught without a book, but if I am, I’ll be searching for the closest Barnes and Noble.
I love the way you write. It's almost lyrical. What would you say is your writing style?
A reader once described my novel as “poetic realism,” and I was just so thrilled with that.
I would agree with that description. Is writing your dream job?
Oh, very much so! But I am so blessed to be pursuing my second dream job as well. I work in EMS/fire, which I love, love, love.
I think it's so cool that you work in EMS and firefighting. What is the worst job you’ve ever had?
I was a legal secretary, which sounds wonderful, but was not! Imagine wearing a skirt every day!
What did it teach you?
When you work a job you hate, you learn – beyond tenacity – to dream big. Many, many of my hours in the legal office were spent combing the want ads and chanting “I think I can, I think I can.”
If you could only watch one television station for a year, what would it be?
Oh, definitely Disney! I have never outgrown my love for animation.
What five things would you never want to live without?
Is coffee a thing? Surely it is! So: COFFEE, books, chocolate, fuzzy slippers, and bubble bath. I’m all about being comfortable!
What do you love about where you live?
I live in what is basically a prairie state, but my particular location has gentle little hills on all sides, so it feels very protected. On blustery days, I can hear the wind, but it doesn’t touch me.
What’s your favorite place to go on date night?
Well, my husband and I are both firefighters, so I actually love the unpredictability of date night.
What’s your favorite beverage? From your earlier answer, I'm guessing coffee?
Coffee coffee coffee. Yep, something of a shameless addict.
What is your superpower?
I wake up really well, and very quickly. Zero to 60 in about 3 seconds.
Wow. I wish I could do that. Name one thing you’re really good at and one thing you’re really bad at.
I’m really good at kissing boo-boos and really horrible at washing dishes. Although my family allows me to keep the latter job in spite of my poor performance!
What is one of your happiest moments?
To me, the happiest moments are always about the quick, seemingly small things – the hubby’s kiss at the end of the day, the child’s “I love you.” These are the things I couldn’t live without.
I agree. Where is your favorite place to visit?
Chicago at Christmastime! Everything is so shiny, brash, and noisy. If you could put it in a globe and shake it, it would sound like saxophones, sirens, and trumpets.
Do you give your characters any of your bad traits?
Oh yes! I’ve often wondered, too, if other authors do this? I let my characters swear, smoke, and drink all the rum they want. Living vicariously, you think?
What’s in your refrigerator right now?
I have so much fresh fruit in my fridge right now! Which is unusual for me, to say the least. But I recently purchased a Ninja Bullet, and I am determined to give responsible eating a try.
Who is your favorite fictional character?
I am shamelessly in love with James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux. What a fantastically layered character!
What are you working on now?
I have finished – drum roll!! - my second novel, Maypops in September, and am querying for a wonderful, awesome, top-of-the-line agent.
Good luck, Lucy! You deserve it!
FROM THE AUTHOR
The pen name Lucy Crowe evolved as a desire to include my daughter in my craft – her nickname is Lucy – while at the same time honoring my favorite band, The Black Crowes. I found, a little to my surprise, that I very much enjoy being two people. My alter ego Lucy writes, and has published one novel, Sugar Man’s Daughter with Rainstorm Press, as well as several short stories. She also maintains a website, Facebook page, and Twitter account. Meanwhile, I (Cathy Jones) am a mother of three married to Superman, and extremely active in EMS/firefighting. Needless to say, Lucy and I often collaborate, as I, too, have a few riveting tales to tell.
Connect with Lucy:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Buy the book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble
