Q&A with Author about LOST & FOUND CAFE

Q. Where did you get the idea for writing this book?

A. I re-read John Steinbeck’s 1947 novel The Wayward Bus and was impressed by how he shifted points of view and voice between a handful of passengers confined to a small bus. His stark depiction of how fleeting human interactions can reveal underlying secrets was enlightening. I had wanted to resolve a mystery from one of my earlier novels and was inspired by Steinbeck’s approach.

Q. Is there a take home message in the book?

A. I believe there are two messages that the reader might consider. First, it’s important to realize that everyone has a story and most have secrets. When people are forced to interact with one another in a confined area or are threatened in some way, those stories and secrets will often be shared and bonds formed. Second, share your mysteries with those close to you. You may be surprised by the support of a trusted confidant.

Q. Is it a challenge to write a book with five different points of view?

A. Yes! While the overall story is told in the third person omniscient voice, each main character has their own point of view and unique voice. The narrative must consistently express the distinct view point and voice of each character, both internally and externally. The reader’s experience is dependent upon how believable each character is. Writers are often told to become the character. The challenge is maintaining a character’s viewpoint and voice from beginning to end in a fast paced story. Writing multiple points of view was both fun and exasperating.

Q. Is it more difficult to write a book that takes place in one setting in a short period of time?

A. This story cannot rely on lengthy descriptions of numerous settings as in an odyssey. Instead, dialogue is used to make the story and the characters entertaining and believable. Pace, sentence structure, tone, vocabulary, and plot are used to transport the reader into the story and to create tension. Yes, for me this was a challenging task, but fun.

Q. Why did you write this book in such a different format than the other Sam Dawson mysteries?

A. While each of the Sam Dawson mysteries was presented in different formats, LOST & FOUND CAFE demanded a unique approach due to the complexity of having multiple points of view within a single setting and taking place in little more than three hours. Readers seem to prefer short chapters that focus on a single individual. I want the reader to know each character intimately and not be confused by the introduction of numerous secondary individuals.