Welcome to the eighty-first of my blog interviews with novelists, poets, directors, bloggers, autobiographers and more. Today’s is with mystery author Sunny Frazier. If you like what you read, please do go and investigate the author further. A list of interviewees (blogged and scheduled) can be found here.
Morgen: Hi Sunny. Can you start by please telling us something about yourself and how you came to be a writer.
Sunny: I started writing in high school as editor for the school paper. I went into the Navy and continued 
writing for military publications. College was paid for by the GI Bill and I got a degree in journalism. I was the only female photo-journalist in the Central Valley of California until the newspaper folded. I got a job with the Fresno Sheriff’s Dept. and wrote articles for law enforcement publications. Finally, I started writing mysteries based on real cases.
Morgen: Crime and mysteries are so popular and you have the experience to make them authentic which is huge bonus. 
What genre do you generally write and have you considered other genres?
Sunny: I write mystery, but I do have a children’s book I need to finish.
Morgen: What have you had published to-date? If applicable, can you remember where you saw your first books on the shelves?
Sunny: I published a collection of short mystery stories with two other authors called Valley Fever: Where Murder
Is Contagious. My work also appeared in several anthologies. My Christy Bristol Astrology Mysteries include FOOLS RUSH IN and WHERE ANGELS FEAR. I saw my first book on the shelves at a coffee shop in Hanford, CA.
Morgen: I love short stories. First love and now revisited love. How much of the marketing do you do for your published works or indeed for yourself as a ‘brand’?
Sunny: I’m very hands on with marketing. I prefer to do the work myself and I’m all over the Internet. I’m often asked to speak on the subject on panels. In fact, I’ve created “The Posse” to fast-track other authors into marketing. I say I can take 5 years off a writer’s career path by navigating them through the maze of information. It’s free—all that’s required is an email address and motivation. A friend even made us Posse badges. People will start seeing them pop up at conferences and conventions soon.
Morgen: Ooh… I like the idea of that. Have you won or been shortlisted in any competitions and do you think they help with a writer’s success?
Sunny: I actually won 3rd place in Writers’ Digest competition out of 19,000 entries.
Morgen: Writers’ Digest, wow. 19,000 eek!
Sunny: My first book received top honors by the Public Safety Writers Association. I think awards can be impressive, but they are not what makes a writer successful.
Morgen: It isn’t but it certainly helps the CV. Do you have an agent? Do you think they’re vital to an author’s success?
Sunny: I don’t have an agent and I think they are dinosaurs.
Morgen: Ouch.
Sunny: I’m acquisitions editor for Oak Tree Press and we publish many terrific books that were rejected by agents and publishing houses. I’m very proud of our authors and they are doing terrific sales.
Morgen: There are a lot of great books that have been rejected by other sources. Harry Potter. Nuff sed (as my mum once said!). Are your books available as eBooks? If so what was your experience of that process? And do you read eBooks?
Sunny: I don’t read eBooks, but yes, my second novel is on that format. I read enough manuscripts on my computer due to my work as acquisitions so I enjoy a break from the electronic formats.
Morgen: I have an eReader although I’m still a paper girl. Well, I was never actually a papergirl (although I did help my brother deliver papers for about 10p a shift!) but you know what I mean. What was your first acceptance and is being accepted still a thrill?
Sunny: My first acceptance was Valley Fever. The publisher is now publishing with my publishing house. It was exciting, but I’m less excited about seeing my own work in print as seeing the manuscripts I’ve chosen make it to print. I love the joy new authors experience.
Morgen: That’s a shame but understandable; again it’s a business to you. Have you had any rejections? If so, how do you deal with them?
Sunny: I really haven’t so I don’t have any idea how I’d deal with the process. Since I have to reject work, I think it would simply roll off my shoulders. It’s just a business.
Morgen: It is and that’s the way to think of it. Just not the right thing for the right person. What are you working on at the moment / next?
Sunny: I’m working on A SNITCH IN TIME, the third Christy Bristol Astrology Mystery. This time I’m exploring whether astrology can be used as a profiling tool for law enforcement. As a practicing astrologer I try to push the boundaries a bit in my novels.
Morgen: I like that title. One of the agents I mentioned earlier told me I should write crime which I’d considered but it’s a hard genre to start into unless you can find a different angle and it certainly sounds like you have. I know nothing about astrology (I’m a Leo by the way) so you have no competition from me. Do you manage to write every day? What’s the most you’ve written in a day?
Sunny: I’ve knocked out many short stories in a few hours, but now I just go for one good chapter a day. I don’t do rewrites. That’s a journalism thing.
Morgen: From your journalist comment I think the answer will be “no” but I’ll ask anyway, what is your opinion of writer’s block? Do you ever suffer from it? If so, how do you ‘cure’ it?
Sunny: I don’t believe writer’s block exists. So many writers cling to that idea, but it’s so self-defeating. If you talk to authors with a journalism background, you’ll find few of us believe in it. When working for a newspaper, you can’t clock in and say to your editor, “Oh, it’s just not coming to me today.” That would pink-slip a writer in a heartbeat.
Morgen: Ah yes, I’ve heard of the pink slip. I’d say that our equivalent here in the UK would be a P45. Do you plot your stories or do you just get an idea and run with it?
Sunny: I plot internally, but Karma pulls in extra twists that I didn’t originally come up with. That’s why I resist outlining. I look for those unexpected additions because it keeps the novel a surprise for me as well.
Morgen: And it needs to be doesn’t it really? If you’re bored the reader will certainly be. How do you create your characters, their names and what do you think makes them believable?
Sunny: Many of my characters and plots are based on real cases and detectives I worked with. Some are a composite of friends. I love to come up with names, it has to sound just right—not too outlandish and yet not forgettable. My favorites are Lloyd Parr, Leonida Watkins, Trace Malin, Trina Garcia, Maxie Morales and Fremont Hobbs.
Morgen: Who is your first reader – who do you first show your work to?
Sunny: My editor, Ann Scott. Then it goes to my publisher, Billie Johnson.
Morgen: Do you do a lot of editing or do you find that as time goes on your writing is more fully-formed?
Sunny: I don’t need much editing.
Morgen: Because you’ve honed your craft… and had the training. It certainly makes a difference. What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?
Sunny: I make a list of the five senses and then fill in words based on the scene I’m going to write. A Diet Dr Pepper is usually required to get the juices flowing.
Morgen: That’s a great idea… the five senses (not such a fan of Dr Pepper, diet or otherwise – it’s a bit like Marmite for me, I have to be in the mood). Do you write on paper or do you prefer a computer?
Sunny: I write straight on the computer. I had to learn to do that when we wrote news stories on electric typewriters. It was good practice.
Morgen: I learned on an electric typewriter at secretarial college (or a manual in exams with carbon paper!). What sort of music do you listen to when you write?
Sunny: I like a totally quiet house. I live alone and the cats are very quiet.
Morgen: It’s funny the last few answers (in the order I’ve been getting them anyway) have gone for quiet over classical and certainly anything with lyrics. I’m a classics girl. Definitely no words to get in the way of mine. What point of view do you find most to your liking: first person or third person? Have you ever tried second person?
Sunny: I write novels in third but many short stories in first. Second person annoys me.
Morgen: It can do that. Do you use prologues / epilogues? What do you think of the use of them?
Sunny: I do use a prologue and they don’t bother me. I know they’re out of favor these days. Never did an epilogue. That’s what the next book is for.
Morgen: Ah ha, a series. Good plan. Do you have pieces of work that you think will never see light of day?
Sunny: All of my work has been published except the children’s book.
Morgen: Yet. What’s your favourite / least favourite aspect of your writing life?
Sunny: I love going to conferences and speaking about publishing. I love taking pitch sessions. I think re-reading my own work is my least favorite thing to do. I already know the ending.
Morgen: Public speaking… eek! I’m getting better but standing up and reading out my work has always been a bit scary. If anything, what has been your biggest surprise about writing?
Sunny: I love it when my characters take control and I’m always curious as to what they will say and do next.
Morgen: Isn’t that great! What advice would you give aspiring writers?
Sunny: It’s tenacity over talent. Learn the craft. Call it art if you want, but treat it like a business.
Morgen: Absolutely. A lot of ‘famous’ authors do that; work 9-5 and that’s it. It makes sense if you can switch your brain on and off like that. I can’t; it’s on 24/7. What do you like to read?
Sunny: My guilty pleasure is historical fiction. I’m reading Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett at the moment.
Morgen: It’s very popular (and sought after by the agents I’ve spoken to recently) and my German friend is a big fan of Ken Follett (in English!). Are there any writing-related websites and/or books that you find useful and would recommend?
Sunny: the one book I recommend for all writers is Self-Editing For Fiction Writers: How To Edit Yourself Into Print. The websites I enjoy are Anne Allen’s blog Writing About Writing. Mostly. http://annerallen.blogpsot.com; Robert Lee Brewer’s My Name Is Not Bob http://robertleebrewer.blogspot.com; and Lelia Taylor’s Buried Under Books http://www.cncbooks.com/blog.
Morgen: Brilliant, thank you. In which country are you based and do you find this a help or hindrance with letting people know about your work?
Sunny: I’m in the USA and promotion is easy here.
Morgen: Are you on any forums or networking sites? If so, how invaluable do you find them?
Sunny: I’m on 35 networking sites and they have certainly got my name out there.
Morgen: Wow… that puts my four (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, BranchOut to shame ). Where can we find out about you and your work?
Sunny: I haven’t updated in awhile but I’m at http://www.sunnyfrazier.com.
Morgen: What do you think the future holds for a writer?
Sunny: The future has never looked so promising. Writers are not at the mercy of agents or Big Publishing. POD technology and electronic reading devices make it possible to produce books quickly and writers can produce them themselves, cutting out the middleman. For once, the book business is determined by the author’s own drive and initiative.
Morgen: Absolutely. Couldn’t agree more. Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
Sunny: Only that Oak Tree Press is putting out three books a month in trade, Kindle and e-book versions. We’re looking for mysteries, romances, Westerns and paranormal (NOT vampire or werewolves) novels. I am also actively looking for plots with strong Hispanic characters. I believe that is the next big market.
Morgen: Brilliant, thank you Sunny. Finally, do you have a piece of your writing that you could include here?
WHERE ANGELS FEAR
The sharp click, click, click of her red spiked heels annoyed her, but not enough to slip them off. She paced the ten-foot-square room, careful to step over the loose floor board each time. Think, think, think her mind sang in accompaniment with her shoes. She wandered down a maze of possibilities, each time running into a dead end. There was no other solution. She picked up the cell phone hit speed dial.
“Wass up?” he answered, his usual greeting slurred by sleep.
“I need you.”
“Baby, it’s 2 a.m. Nobody needs nothing bad enough at this time of night.”
“Cut the crap. I have another situation on my hands.”
All sleepiness evaporated from his voice. “No, girl, you promised. You said it was an accident before and you’d be more careful.”
“Stan, I don’t need a lecture. I need a body bag. Get over here.” She hit the off button and snapped the phone shut.
Morgen: I love that. A strong woman in fiction. Actually, I saw Captain America at the weekend, which I really enjoyed and one of the best things was having a feisty lead female character.
Sunny Frazier worked with an undercover narcotics team in Fresno County for
17 years before turning her energies to writing the Christy Bristol Astrology Mysteries: FOOLS RUSH IN and WHERE ANGELS FEAR.
Based in the San Joaquin Valley of California, the novels are inspired by real cases and 40 years of casting horoscopes.
***
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We look forward to reading your comments.
Sunny Frazier
August 1, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Morgan, this interview and the way you tweaked it was so much fun.
Now, I want to ask the Posse and friends to tell me one new thing they learned about me.
morgenbailey
August 1, 2011 at 4:46 pm
I certainly learned a lot about you.
You’re very welcome, it was fun to read.
Augie
August 1, 2011 at 11:59 pm
I’m a posse member and Sunny encourages new writers need to develop the art of writing well (in the correct tense and POV). Also, allow yourself to develop characters in the making, and that would be to learn ones craft, to take this as a business and toughen up each time there is a rejection. Someone out there will take a chance on you if you persevere and believe in what you are doing. Thank you Morgan and Sunny for a wonderful interview.
morgenbailey
August 2, 2011 at 12:08 am
You’re very welcome Augie. They do say that a successful writer is one who didn’t give up… and as long as we have passion we’ll be in it for the long haul, won’t we?
Paula Petty
August 2, 2011 at 1:36 am
A children’s book–how challenging. Is it YA? You also answered a question I had about agents. I am proud to be a part of the Posse.
Tom Williams
August 2, 2011 at 9:27 pm
I was surprised at Sunny’s Law enfocement and military experience. It makes sense because she’s so driven but I never would have pegged it. She is truly a very competent and skilled woman of mystery.
Sunny Frazier
August 2, 2011 at 11:54 pm
Yeah, nobody saw that coming. Even my recruiter tried to “un-recruit” me to marry me. But, I’d grown up in a military family, so it wasn’t so strange to me.
I pretty much aced the county test to get hired by the Sheriff’s Dept. 2nd highest score out of 900 people. Fell into that job. But, it really seemed like a para-military organization to me, so I was comfortable with the chain of command and following orders. I think everyone should have some military experience behind them.
Melanie Jackson
August 1, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Sunny, I learned you like quiet and cats. Ditto! You also — perhaps vicariously — like red high-heeled shoes. Again, ditto.
Theresa Varela
August 1, 2011 at 5:03 pm
What a wonderful interview! The optimism is contagious. I am intrigued by the thought of a children’s story written by Sunny. Thanks for this read!
Elizabeth Kolodziej
August 1, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Great interview!
Sunny: I learned that you don’t outline. I don’t really do this either and find it nice that I’m not alone with this. I like it when the story takes me to places I didn’t expect.
Liz ^_^
http://www.vampyrekisses.com
jack everett
August 1, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Apart from the interview which was splendid and the fact that Morgen has already done one with David and myself-due out soon so watch this space- I learned you have 35 networked outlets of which I only know about ten.
Brilliant, you never cease to amaze me.
jackleverett.me.uk
morgenbailey
August 1, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Thank you Jack…just you wait til yours comes out.
G Thomas Gill
August 1, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Sunny, you are a lady of very few words – direct and to the point. Enjoyed the interview’s flow.
morgenbailey
August 1, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Thank you.
Angela Roe
August 1, 2011 at 5:49 pm
I enjoyed the interview and I’m impressed with your skill level. I learned several new things about you, I didn’t know you’ve never received a rejection, I didn’t know you worked for the undercover narcotics unit, I didn’t know you wrote children’s books…I’m fascinated!
morgenbailey
August 1, 2011 at 5:51 pm
I’ve learned new things here and I read the interview
clarklohrcrimewriter
August 1, 2011 at 5:50 pm
I learned several useful things but two of them stand out: 1. Write down the five senses and fill in the blanks for their use in a given scene. Then write the scene. That’s very useful. 2. You like quiet. Me too. I don’t want to hear anything but the voices in my head.
morgenbailey
August 1, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Can I tempt any of you to take part?
Marja McGraw
August 1, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Sunny, I learned that you don’t outline and that you let your characters take control, and I can relate to that. I love it when the characters take control.
C.K. Crigger
August 1, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Absolutely great interview Sunny and Morgan. Loved it. Sunny, I didn’t know you liked historical fiction. Must be why you accepted my western suspense novel. I’m working on Morgan’s questions now and having to really “think” as I answer.
Virginia Walton Pilegard
August 1, 2011 at 7:25 pm
So, you read historical fiction? Me too.
Velda Brotherton
August 1, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Sunny, I learned that you were a journalist, sort of like me, and you don’t believe in writer’s block like me. I say sort of cause I fell into it with no training and remained there for 20 years. LOL
Don Helin
August 1, 2011 at 7:45 pm
I didn’t realize that Sunny wrote children’s book. Knew about the mysteries.
Sally Carpenter
August 1, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Hi Sunny, loved the interview! I learned that you like total quiet to write–same as me, except my cats jump on the table and stand in front of the monitor while I try to work. And unlike me, you don’t revise. I rewrite every sentence about 10 times. I like your work ethic–”just do it”–which is good advice for any author. Keep writing!
Sally Carpenter
“The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper”
Oak Tree Press
roger gilson
August 1, 2011 at 8:48 pm
I know you like historical fiction but why is it a ‘guilty pleasure’??????
Peny
Bill Schweigart
August 1, 2011 at 9:05 pm
I learned that you have a children’s book in the wings. I also learned that you shot a man in Reno just to watch him die. (I read between the line, Sunny.)
John Brantingham
August 1, 2011 at 9:30 pm
I learned that you write children’s fiction too. Such an interesting genre. I always thought it would be fun, but it’s outside my experience.
Anne White
August 1, 2011 at 9:34 pm
I’ve been following Sunny’s posts, blogs and writings as my first book, An Affinity For Murder, was published by Oak Tree in 2001. I’m amazed by the amount of work she manages to do and do well, and loved getting some insight into how she does it.
Anne White http://www.annewhitemysteries.com
Lake George Mysteries. Opens to #5 Cold Winter Nights
Anne R. Allen
August 1, 2011 at 9:59 pm
What a great interview! Love your format Morgen. I’ll be in touch. I’d love a chance to have you interview me.
I learned a lot about you, Sunny. Like your passion for historical fiction! Not what I would have thought (I love historicals, too, but I’m not moved to write them. I guess that’s why they’re such a great escape.)
Most of all I learned that my blog is one of your favorites
. Thanks for the shout out!
morgenbailey
August 1, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Thank you Anne, that’s a lovely thing to say.
Sunny Frazier
August 2, 2011 at 12:16 am
Of course your blog is a favorite! I encourage Posse members to monitor it.
sirsteve L. Brayton
August 1, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Dr Pepper! You rock, Sunny! Okay, Diet Dr Pepper. You still rock!
Sunny Frazier
August 1, 2011 at 11:46 pm
You guys are so funny! Yes, I wrote a children’s book in the ’70′s when I was told children didn’t want to read about pirates. Now I’ve brushed it off and am putting it in the computer. Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Food Channel.
Historical fiction–I feel like I’m playing hooky because I’m not reading mysteries.
Yes, Stephen, Dr Pepper rocks! We will have to knock a few glasses back when we get together.
Lesley Diehl
August 2, 2011 at 1:12 am
Diet Dr. pepper? Wow! Taht was the first soft drink I every had and the onlhy one my motehr would allow me when I was a kid. I sneaked cokes when I was with my friends and away from Mom.
beverly a lauderdale
August 2, 2011 at 1:26 am
While I learned many things about Sunny–from writing a children’s book to making a list of five senses–perhaps the most amazing thing is that she doesn’t rewrite. As one who writes fast and then anguishes over each sentence as I “improve” every word, I stand in awe of her ability.
Sunny Frazier
August 2, 2011 at 7:56 am
Write it right the first time and you don’t have to go back and revise. I learned that as a newspaper reporter. Deadlines pressured us to work fast and effectively. There was no time for do-overs or second guessing.
John M. Daniel
August 2, 2011 at 2:14 am
Fine interview, Morgen and Sunny. Sunny the most startling thing I learned about your life and career is that you have never been rejected. That places you in the Guiness Book of Records!
Sunny Frazier
August 2, 2011 at 8:01 am
Well, you didn’t reject me either, John!
I think I was just very savvy about where I submitted, which contests I entered, who I approached. I kept the odds in my favor. I don’t think writers do enough research before they submit and that sets them up for failure.
Also, I convince myself that whatever I’ve just written tops anything that I’ve penned before. My expectations of my writing doesn’t allow for failure. Set the bar a bit higher each time and you can only improve.
Kat Hinkson
August 2, 2011 at 3:36 am
Love the interview. Your style of blogging is fun and interesting. As for Sunny, I’d love to see your children’s book. I split my time between adult mysteries and children/YA fiction.
Penny
August 2, 2011 at 6:06 am
Great piece Sunny and Morgan. As a posse member I always learn something new and useful to the writer I hope to be when I grow up whenever Sunny gets interviewed. I knew about the short stories but the not outlining was new information. It does stand to reason that a woman who does astrological charts would trust the universe to help guide her story. Actually you said “Karma” but in my experience they can be quite similar.
J. R. Lindermuth
August 2, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Another Posse member here. Great interview. I wasn’t aware of the children’s book.
lil ole badge maker
August 2, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Morgan, Sunny
I do have to chime in, with agreement, as to the enjoyment of the interview and the flow of it. Quite enjoyable to say the least!
As to Sunny’s challenge of learning new things about her?
I didn’t know she had been branded! How badly did it hurt her? Did she pour diet Dr, Pepper on it to soothe seared scarred skin? Following journalism norms…
Who branded her? What was used? Why? Where? When?
Additionally I learned I had risen out of the depths of a Borax wagon wheel rut to attain “friend” status! Woo hoo!
The other new tidbit… she didn’t tell me the badges had to “pop up”! Now how am I going to make that happen? They just lay there when pinned on. Springs? Hydraulics? Leave it to Sunny to always create new challenges.
True to her mystery genre, she also left all with the mystery of just which five senses she writes down associated with the scene she is writing. Why doesn’t she write down all of her seven or eight senses?
Maybe in the next interview?
Holli Castillo
August 2, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Sunny, I learned that you’ve never had a rejection. That’s pretty impressive. I also learned you don’t like to reread your writing. I forget what I’ve written and a lot of times even after I’ve read mine a dozen times I am surprised by what’s in the book. Of course, I also can see the same movie or t.v. series over and over and not remember what happens.
Holli
Eileen Obser
August 3, 2011 at 9:35 pm
Love this interview! I’ve learned a few new things about you, Sunny. We share a need for quiet when writing; no TV, radio, just the cat purring nearby. I have a list of the five senses posted near the computer. Unlike you, I check the list after I’ve written the essay, chapter — not before. I also have a sign, in large letters, GO DEEPER. I was a journalist too, and tell my writing students to pretend they’re reporters when they say they’re “blocked.” Deadlines are deadlines. Unlike you, I’ve been rejected –lots — and my first drafts nearly always need work.
I’m so glad to be a Posse member. I learn new information every day, and I’ve been at this craft for 40-plus years. That’s one of the gifts of being a writer, I believe, and of being open to new ideas and challenges.
W.S. Gager
August 5, 2011 at 2:39 pm
In the better late than never category, I’ll chim in last! Sunny the thing I learn over and over from you is how you get around, cyberly that is. (I’m not commenting on any other interpretation! lol!) As always great interview! Thanks Sunny and Morgen!
Wendy
W.S. Gager
http://www.wsgager.blogspot.com
morgenbailey
August 5, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Ah thanks Wendy… and I look forward to posting yours on the 24th.
Bonnie BA Kelly
August 7, 2011 at 8:01 am
Interesting interview. I loved getting to know people when I published a newspaper in a small town. Being in charge allowed me to pick who I’d like to interview, and I discovered that all of the people I questioned had amazing, fascinating and sometimes surprising life stories–just like Sunny.
morgenbailey
August 7, 2011 at 8:05 am
Thank you Bonnie.
marta chausée
August 14, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Hi Sunny, Hi Morgen,
It was nice to see such candor between you two. Sunny, I didn’t know you wrote a children’s book about a foodie pirate. Sounds delicioso. I like the idea of developing some strong Hispanic protagonists. Hmmm… I’ll have to see what I can do.
Marta Chausée, author
Resort to Murder Series
Patricia Gligor
September 29, 2011 at 3:02 pm
Well, I’m “tuning in late,” as they say. I’m always amazed, when I read Morgen’s interviews, at how realistic they feel; it’s almost as if I’m listening to a conversation between two people as opposed to reading one.
What did I learn about you, Sunny, that I didn’t know? I didn’t know that you liked to read historical fiction nor did I know that you’d never had a piece of your writing rejected. Wow! Wish I could say that. When I used to write short stories, I could’ve papered my entire apartment with the rejections.
Great interview!
morgenbailey
September 29, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Hi Patricia. It’s always wonderful to get ‘late’ comments… in fact any comments anywhere.
Thank you.