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If you go
What: Beth Groundwater's ‘To Hell in a Handbasket' book signing
When: 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Weber's Books & Drawings, 100 S. Main St., Breckenridge
When: 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Weber's Books & Drawings, 100 S. Main St., Breckenridge
Claire's family ski vacation quickly goes to hell in a handbasket when the sister of her daughter's boyfriend is killed on the slope: It's the latest plot in Beth Groundwater's cozy mystery series. We took some time to unravel the mystery-writer's passions, process and pain.
How long have you had a second home in Breckenridge?
My husband and I bought a condo in Park Place Condominiums in 1991 when we still lived in Virginia. Using that as a “grappling hook,” we moved to Colorado Springs in 1992. In 1997, we swapped the condo for a home in Park Forest Estates, which we hope to make our full-time residence soon.
How many hours a week do you devote to writing?
My only work these days is my writing career, and I devote 20-40 hours a week to it, depending on what needs to be done. It takes me about a year to finish a novel-length manuscript, including about three months preparation (research, character profiling, outlining), five to six months to write the rough draft, and three to four months of editing.
You raised a family and worked as a software engineer and project manager until you retired in 1999. When did you find time to write your short stories?
I didn't start writing short stories until about a year before I retired. By then, I'd cut back my work hours to spend more time with my children, so I was working 30 hours a week. I squeezed in writing time when I wasn't working or with the children.
You received more than 100 rejections before eight of your short stories were published, and you spent almost three years getting rejected by 89 literary agents before finding one who accepted your book. How did you persist, rather than get discouraged and give up?
I persisted “with a little help from my friends.” I commiserated with fellow writers who were going through the submittal process, shared information with them, and gave and took encouragement when it was needed. I'm known among Colorado writing groups as the “Networking Queen” because I present workshops at writing conferences and write articles on how to network and why you must do it. Networking with other writers is one of the most important things a writer can do for his or her writing career. At a minimum, I recommend that fiction writers should join three groups: a critique group, a local writing organization that offers monthly workshops and other learning opportunities nearby, and the professional organization for their genre.
In the acknowledgments of the book, you thank Derek Woodman, Undersheriff of the Summit County Sheriff's office, Gail Westwood and other staff at the Breckenridge Nordic Center and staff at Tiger Run Resorts. How did they contribute to your book?
I interviewed Derek Woodman at the Sheriff's Office about their procedures and how they differed from those of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, with which I was already familiar. He showed me around the office, had a patrolman model his uniform for me, and answered follow-up questions by e-mail. He also read a few key scenes involving law enforcement officials to verify that while they were far-fetched, they were still plausible.
Gail Westwood answered questions about the snowshoe trails at the Nordic Center and helped me pick one that would test the mettle of my lead character, Claire Hanover. Also, I had a very enjoyable morning at the center trying out one of the beginner snowshoe trails with a friend. Lastly, my whole family took a snowmobile tour from Tiger Run Resorts for “research,” and we were well taken care of by staff, who also answered many questions from this curious author.
What inspires you and/or keeps you motivated?
I'm inspired by the friendly and giving community of mystery authors and readers, which is why I enjoy attending mystery conferences so much. Many mystery authors have helped me along the path to publication. I'm a big fan of fellow Colorado authors Margaret Coel, Maggie Sefton, Christine Goff, and Kathy Brandt, and all kindly blurbed my first book and gave me tips. Diane Mott Davidson was inspirational in her tireless and creative promoting, and she gave me quite a few good promotion ideas. But the absolute best motivation is a letter from a fan telling me how much they enjoyed my latest book and asking when the next one is coming out.
What is your greatest challenge?
Whenever I start a new book, I always think, “This is drivel. No publisher will ever buy this, and if by a miracle they do, the book will be a flop and readers will hate it. What made me think I could write,” etc. etc. I just have to push through that self-doubt and force myself to get the awful first draft written, so I can start fixing it in the editing phase. NO ONE sees my first drafts!
What do you think readers will enjoy most about this book?
I think people who have visited or live in Breckenridge will enjoy recognizing landmarks and businesses mentioned in the book. Those who enjoy winter sports or reading action-adventure will appreciate the downhill skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling scenes. And those who like reading page-turners and puzzling out a mystery will enjoy working along with Claire and Detective Owen Silverstone to solve the murder that has sent Claire's nice family vacation in Breckenridge to hell in a handbasket.
How long have you had a second home in Breckenridge?
My husband and I bought a condo in Park Place Condominiums in 1991 when we still lived in Virginia. Using that as a “grappling hook,” we moved to Colorado Springs in 1992. In 1997, we swapped the condo for a home in Park Forest Estates, which we hope to make our full-time residence soon.
How many hours a week do you devote to writing?
My only work these days is my writing career, and I devote 20-40 hours a week to it, depending on what needs to be done. It takes me about a year to finish a novel-length manuscript, including about three months preparation (research, character profiling, outlining), five to six months to write the rough draft, and three to four months of editing.
You raised a family and worked as a software engineer and project manager until you retired in 1999. When did you find time to write your short stories?
I didn't start writing short stories until about a year before I retired. By then, I'd cut back my work hours to spend more time with my children, so I was working 30 hours a week. I squeezed in writing time when I wasn't working or with the children.
You received more than 100 rejections before eight of your short stories were published, and you spent almost three years getting rejected by 89 literary agents before finding one who accepted your book. How did you persist, rather than get discouraged and give up?
I persisted “with a little help from my friends.” I commiserated with fellow writers who were going through the submittal process, shared information with them, and gave and took encouragement when it was needed. I'm known among Colorado writing groups as the “Networking Queen” because I present workshops at writing conferences and write articles on how to network and why you must do it. Networking with other writers is one of the most important things a writer can do for his or her writing career. At a minimum, I recommend that fiction writers should join three groups: a critique group, a local writing organization that offers monthly workshops and other learning opportunities nearby, and the professional organization for their genre.
In the acknowledgments of the book, you thank Derek Woodman, Undersheriff of the Summit County Sheriff's office, Gail Westwood and other staff at the Breckenridge Nordic Center and staff at Tiger Run Resorts. How did they contribute to your book?
I interviewed Derek Woodman at the Sheriff's Office about their procedures and how they differed from those of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, with which I was already familiar. He showed me around the office, had a patrolman model his uniform for me, and answered follow-up questions by e-mail. He also read a few key scenes involving law enforcement officials to verify that while they were far-fetched, they were still plausible.
Gail Westwood answered questions about the snowshoe trails at the Nordic Center and helped me pick one that would test the mettle of my lead character, Claire Hanover. Also, I had a very enjoyable morning at the center trying out one of the beginner snowshoe trails with a friend. Lastly, my whole family took a snowmobile tour from Tiger Run Resorts for “research,” and we were well taken care of by staff, who also answered many questions from this curious author.
What inspires you and/or keeps you motivated?
I'm inspired by the friendly and giving community of mystery authors and readers, which is why I enjoy attending mystery conferences so much. Many mystery authors have helped me along the path to publication. I'm a big fan of fellow Colorado authors Margaret Coel, Maggie Sefton, Christine Goff, and Kathy Brandt, and all kindly blurbed my first book and gave me tips. Diane Mott Davidson was inspirational in her tireless and creative promoting, and she gave me quite a few good promotion ideas. But the absolute best motivation is a letter from a fan telling me how much they enjoyed my latest book and asking when the next one is coming out.
What is your greatest challenge?
Whenever I start a new book, I always think, “This is drivel. No publisher will ever buy this, and if by a miracle they do, the book will be a flop and readers will hate it. What made me think I could write,” etc. etc. I just have to push through that self-doubt and force myself to get the awful first draft written, so I can start fixing it in the editing phase. NO ONE sees my first drafts!
What do you think readers will enjoy most about this book?
I think people who have visited or live in Breckenridge will enjoy recognizing landmarks and businesses mentioned in the book. Those who enjoy winter sports or reading action-adventure will appreciate the downhill skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling scenes. And those who like reading page-turners and puzzling out a mystery will enjoy working along with Claire and Detective Owen Silverstone to solve the murder that has sent Claire's nice family vacation in Breckenridge to hell in a handbasket.
