Mysteries Louisiana Style With Arlene Messa

 

Arlene Messa, writing as Anne Clayre Mason/A.C. Mason, is a Louisiana native and resident. She writes mystery and romantic suspense. Her paranormal romantic suspense Renaissance Woman, published in 2009 by The Wild Rose Press, explores the possibility of reincarnation in Venice. April Fools, a murder mystery set in New Orleans written as A. C. Mason, was released in December 2010 by Wings ePress. She is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, Romance Writers of America and Heart of Louisiana RWA (HeartLa).

Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?

I am a Louisiana native and resident. Three spoiled cats share my home. My two married daughters and their families live in nearby communities.

My sun sign is Sagittarius, a sign associated with travel and the Archer in me loves to travel. My romantic suspense stories are set in foreign countries, some I’ve visited and some I’d like to. However, the mystery series I’m writing is set in the Bayou State. The romances are written under the pseudonym Anne Clayre Mason and the mysteries as A.C. Mason.

Please tell us your latest news!

Golden Labrys, a paranormal romantic suspense, is a February release by Whiskey Creek Press. Here’s a blurb for Golden Labrys:

A Minoan artifact, contact with an ancient spirit, a case of mistaken identity, plus a strong attraction to sexy photographer Nikolas Tyler, all add up to a thrill a minute for astrology buff Adriane Ducote during her trip to the Greek island of Crete. Several different factions want the golden labrys, a ceremonial double-headed axe, and will stop at nothing, even murder, to take possession of the artifact which was sold to Adriane by mistake. She gets a little help from a Minoan priestess, but the lovely spirit has her own agenda regarding the labrys.

Although strongly attracted to Adriane, Nikolas believes she is the mysterious relic smuggler his brother’s artifacts recovery agency ARPA is trying to locate. He soon discovers she’s not the only player in this dangerous game.

WhiskeyCreekPress

 

Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

I have a basic idea about the characters, but they develop as I write. Other authors have stated—and I tend to agree—characters do sometimes take on a life of their own.  

What main genre do you write in?

I write in both romantic suspense and mystery. The romantic suspense stories always have light paranormal elements—no vampires or were wolves. For example, an ancient spirit is prominent in Golden Labrys. The possibility of reincarnation in Venice is explored by the characters in my first book—Renaissance Woman.  

How does your family feel about having a writer in the family? Do they read your books?

My family is very supportive of me and they do read my books…and sometimes promote a few sales for me.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Reading has always been a part of my life all the way from the Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, and books by Louisa May Alcott. Writing naturally seemed to follow. I wrote an Easter skit once and convinced several of my fourth grade classmates to take part in putting on the skit for the class. I wrote a number of stories to read to the class during the following years.   

Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer? Or Still do?

I’ve been a full time writer since 2003 when I retired from the Louisiana Department of Revenue and Taxation.

What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants or a combination of both?

I’ve tried writing an outline, but for some reason it doesn’t seem to work. Mostly I fly by the seat of my pants. However if I run into a plot problem I sit down with paper and pencil and try to work the problems out off computer. I write every day five days a week, usually after lunch, but occasionally I write in the mornings and on the weekends.

Is there a genre of book you would like to write but haven't yet?

Although my romantic suspense novels contain elements of international intrigue, I would love to write a thriller mixing the international intrigue with espionage.

What would be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website? Email address? MySpace site? Blog? Message Board? Group?

I can be contacted through my website. www.anneclayremason.com Readers can also find out more about me and my books through the site. I have a Facebook page under my legal name where I occasionally promote my books.