Author of Enough, Emmy in Harding, After His Heart, Banff Springs Abbey, Suspiciously Reserved: A Twist on Jane Austen's Emma, Expectations: A Continuation of Pride and Prejudice, and Subgirl. This blog is dedicated to all things reading and writing.
I've been a mystery book fan for years. I think it started with Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and then moved on to M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series, and most recently Louise Penny's Gamache mysteries. I've tried writing mysteries, including a short-lived children's mystery series, but I struggle to write about murder. It is just too awful. However, I've noticed that murder is not really the point of the mystery books I really love - instead they are about human nature and relationships.
Photo courtesy of Sandra Kay Vosburgh
I met mystery writer, Sandra Kay Vosburgh online at the Greater Philly Christian Writer's Conference this June. I was impressed with her "elevator pitch" for a murder mystery series she calls The Deadly Sins Mysteries. When she said she'd published the first book in the series, I knew I had to read it! When she said she is also a pastor's wife, I knew I needed to talk to her. I hope you enjoy the following interview as much as I did.
Image courtesy Sandra Kay Vosburgh
Sam: How long have you been writing?
Sandra: I was well into my forties when I began to write seriously. I began attending writers conferences, and I even took a few college courses. After my first novel, The Stonecroft Incident, was published, I had to place my writing on hold until I retired two years ago. I have written two novels since, and have become a devotional writer for “The Quiet Hour” published by David C. Cook.
Sam: Who are some authors you enjoy that have inspired your writing?
Sandra: Agatha Christie will always be my favorite author. Mignon Ballard is also a favorite mystery writer, as well as Sister Carol Anne O’Marie.
Sam: Tell me about your “A Deadly Sin Mystery” series.
Sandra: I’m writing a series of seven books, each based on one of the seven deadly sins, set in the tourist town of Sackets Harbor on Lake Ontario. My main character is Ada Whittaker, a Christian senior citizen who writes the advice-to-the-lovelorn column and solves murders with the help of her bickering housekeeper and secretary.
Sam: Why do you write mystery?
Sandra: I love the mental challenge of mystery, picking up clues, putting the pieces together, solving the puzzle.
Sam: What else do you write?
Sandra: My novel Anchorless Summer is a women’s contemporary, a story of a young woman who struggles to love herself because, like many women today, she grew up with her father’s neglect, never feeling his love. This leaves her struggling in other relationships. There is some mystery and some romance, but the theme is redemption.
Sam: Does being a pastor's wife affect your writing in any way?
Sandra: Perhaps. I am aware of the struggles people face. I have seen the deadliness of sin. The death of a marriage, the death of a teenager, the death of relationships. All caused by sin. We suffer because of our own sin, but we can also suffer because of the sin of others. Our society laughs at sin, but the reality is there is nothing humorous about ruined lives.
Mystery writer, Dorothy Sayers, wrote, “If we fail to bring our readers to the bar of eternity, we have merely constructed an entertaining puzzle.” I want my stories to entertain my readers, but also to have a lingering positive effect on their lives.
Sam: Thank you for sharing, Sandra! I can't wait to read the rest of your books.
When we moved to the Vancouver area, one of the things we looked forward to was being near to the location were they filmed Once Upon a Time. Our family took a couple of trips on filming days to be close to the action. Here's a link to read about one trip in 2017.
While watching the filming, I daydreamed about what it would be like to be part of a show. How fun to have your hair and make-up done, to wear a costume and to be part of a story-telling team. As much as I love writing novels alone, I sometimes wish I were part of a creative team. Now, whenever I drive by a filming sign, I have a little wisp of curiosity to be part of the show. This spring, I decided to try to be an extra.
I did a Google search on how to become an extra in Vancouver. I have since learned, the proper term is "Background". I submitted some photos and an application and found an agent. Thankfully, my husband agreed to be my photographer. Then, I awaited the day I'd get a call.
Photo by Phil Adkins
I was very excited to land my first call on August 10 to be on an episode of a new TV series called Family Law. I left my island on the 7:20 ferry carting a suitcase full of the required wardrobe and headed off to find the Background "Circus" in downtown Vancouver. (I would definitely use a backpack instead of a suitcase next time!)
Family Law Teaser on YouTube
I arrived in good time and was impressed with all the safety precautions, including a rapid Covid test, masking at all times, unless on camera, and hydrations stations. I was provided with a very cool costume and we had a quick trip through hair and makeup, which for me was a ponytail! I'll reveal my "character" when the episode airs on Twitter @austengurl, if you want to follow along.
After arriving at set, I was pleased to get put to work quite a bit, but there is a lot of waiting as Background. We could visit "crafty" at any time for snacks and drinks, but I think the best thing to do at this point is to get to know your fellow background workers. There are so many interesting people!
Megan, Sam and Laurie. Big trouble.
Laurie is a personal fitness trainer and make-up artist, who was also doing background for the first time, as part of her bucket list. Megan is a travel agent who hasn't been able to work in her field due to Covid with had a friend who told her to give this a try. These two became my friends and allies for the day. It was great to have someone to talk to, watch your stuff, and make sure you got a chair and a snack. I also met a gospel singer, a woman who got into acting to overcome shyness, a fellow teacher and writer, and some people who have been working in film since the 80's!
While on set, I developed a deep respect for how hard everyone works on a show, how many people are involved, and how much equipment is necessary. It seems like 12 hour days are common and most people were sweating, even though we were indoors and it was only 26 degrees. I can only imagine what it is like working outdoors when the weather is really hot.
"My" episode will probably air in the fall of 2022! In the meantime, you can be sure I'll be tuning into Family Law to find out more about this new series.
Raindrops sparkled on fruit trees and mist aspirated from the surrounding forest while writers gathered at the van Berckel orchard. Saturday, August 7, 2021 was the first day of the Write on Bowen Festival, a group started by Carol M. Cram and Jacqueline Massey in 2008.
Attendees were invited to register for one of three writing workshops offered by poet Susan Alexander, novelist Carol M. Cram, and writer and UBC teacher, Deb Blenkhorn. I selected fellow fiction-writer, Carol M. Cram's incredible session on Finding Inspiration. In our cozy group of eight writers, we learned a bit about Carol's writing journey and practices, and dove into some fun and inspiring writing exercises. Here's one of the pieces these exercises inspired for me:
Whenever Deena saw the blue bicycle in the corner of her one bedroom loft, a little bit of her soul collapsed. She'd mean to ride it everyday through the crowded streets of Vancouver, but she hadn't counted on the chronic rain. Or the seven flights of stairs and the "No Bicycles" sign in the elevator. Or the dogs that barked at cyclists in the street.
It was to be her ticket to health and freedom - making her a local in her new community. Three years later, she tried to repurpose the wide-handled behemoth. She hung bags from the handle bars, placed a plant on the seat and arranged books in the wire basket like Martha Stewart on the cover of her magazine. But it was all like wiping concealer on a protruding zit - there was no way to disguise her lack of courage.
Our group was fun, encouraging, curious, and creative. I look forward to reconnecting via email through Carol's offer to have us submit our "homework" short story assignment.
After our session, we were welcomed to explore the gardens and enjoy refreshments, including fresh figs straight from the garden dotted with soft cheese.
I was grateful for the opportunity to attend such a well-organized, encouraging, and welcoming Writers Festival within walking distance of my home. Consummate art-enthusiasts and gardeners, David and Aubin van Berkel were gracious and supportive hosts and their property was the perfect setting for this wonderful writing event. Thank you Carol M. Cram and Jacqueline Massey for putting together this lovely weekend. I'm already looking forward to next year!