After reading “Sutton Place” I was pleasantly surprised to have the opportunity to get a little deeper into the mind of the author. For your pleasure, here is the author interview with Louise Gaylord.
What will fans of “Julia Fairchild” like about your newest book, “Sutton Place?”
“Sutton Place” is the prequel to “Julia Fairchild”. The reader learns in detail about the incidents
that drove Julia from New York to New Mexico.
Three months serving on a grand jury panel inspired your Allie Armington mystery series. How
did you come up with Julia’s character?
Julia just “grew like Topsy” in my mind. She’s a composite of all the strong women I have
known.
Lies, family secrets, obsessions – will Julia ever catch a break?
She catches her break in “Julia Fairchild”.
Your mystery novels are known for having very unexpected twists and surprise endings. How do
you keep readers on their toes?
I don’t outline so sometimes I even surprise myself! I really write to amuse myself. One of my
writing instructors said I should have fun when writing. I have a friend who writes a chapter here and
then a chapter there. I can’t do that. I have to write in a linear fashion.
As a successful, award-winning mystery writer, you stepped out of the genre to work on a few
other books, including Recipes from Camp Trillium. What’s your favorite dish to stir up in the
kitchen?
Grandma Betsy’s Chicken. My mother put Lawry’s seasoning and Worchester sauce on
everything. This made a nice, simple one-dish meal to serve all. To make it, you just need chicken,
Worcestershire sauce and Lawry’s® Seasoned Salt. Then add any vegetable of your choice. Cut up
potatoes, mushrooms, onions or red bell peppers, carrots, almost anything except greens. Preheat your
oven to 425 degrees. Quarter the chicken or cut it into single-serving pieces. Place the chicken skin side
up in an aluminum foil-lined pan. Throw the vegetables all around it. Douse it with Worcestershire
sauce and sprinkle with seasoned salt. Bake that for 25 to 40 minutes, or until the juices run clear.
You studied art history in college after your grade-school teachers encouraged you to do
something with your painting skills. How has painting helped you write?
I’m a very visual person. So I can imagine a scene as if I’m painting it and portray that in words
on page. A lot of people who write also paint. I noticed though that I never had a problem dropping the
paintbrush to go play tennis or golf. But once I started writing I couldn’t leave my computer.
You’re churning out books left and right. What are you working on now?
An Allie Armington Mystery. The working title is: “A Cruise to Die For.” Stay tuned!
Don’t forget to check out my review of “Sutton Place”!