Interview with Cate Lawley, author of Fairmont Finds a Body

01 Apr 2019

What can you tell us about your new release, Fairmont Finds a Body?

Fairmont Finds a Body is a small town cozy mystery, but even more it’s a story about a woman making a new life for herself and the dog who adores her.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always loved stories. I studied German literature (a very long time ago) but eventually followed a different path first studying business, then law, and eventually becoming an attorney. Lori Ryan, a very dear friend, started her own writing career a year before I wrote my first book, and she both convinced me to try novel writing and helped me along the way. I’ll be forever grateful for her support.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

I refuse to be pinned down…but only because I can’t decide. 🙂 Julia Quinn is one of my favorite writers. Her characters have a kindness that’s touching and real. I also adore hockey romance and have become a rabid hockey fan. But I grew up reading the Mrs. Pollifax books, Margery Allingham, Lilian Jackson Braun, Dorothy Sayers, and so many other wonderful mystery writers. I”m sure they’re why I love writing cozy mysteries!

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Julia Quinn. After recovering from my fangirl faint, I would ask her how she crafts such amazing characters. I’m completely in love with the Bridgertons, as are millions of other readers.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

That every story has an end, but also opens up a huge world of possibilities. That I can make up new worlds and populate them with all of my favorite people. That I can use my imagination to entertain others. I’m really not good at picking favorites!

What is a typical day like for you?

I write early in the morning. Once I’ve reached my daily word count or editing goal, I workout, either jogging or lifting at the gym. My sweet little German Shorthaired Pointer always votes for the jog! Since writing is such a sedentary occupation, even more so than working in an office (which I’ve also done), I’ve had to make a serious commitment to staying fit or my writing suffers. I spend the afternoon doing admin and the evening marketing. But I definitely take hockey game evenings off!

What scene in Fairmont Finds a Body was your favorite to write?

Actually, the dedication. I wrote this story a few months after my dog Vegas passed. Fairmont Finds a Body was my way of remembering all of the very best things about him, and the dedication brought all of those great memories into sharper focus.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

I don’t, not exactly, but I do pick a goal or theme for each year. Last year was “life is my job,” since it was becoming obvious to me that de-prioritizing my health was having a negative impact on my writing. This year is about some financial goals that I have related to sustaining my writing career long-term. I want to keep writing stories well into the future!