Mysteries

Guest Chick: Daryl Wood Gerber

Hi all, Ellen here! I’m thrilled to welcome back popular author Daryl Wood Gerber, who I am also lucky to call a good friend. I think you’ll find her post as inspiring as I do. And she’s hosting a giveaway for two books!

Why Do I Write What I Write?

By Daryl Wood Gerber

Savor the Mystery!

People ask me all the time: why do you write what you write? To start with, I write mysteries and thrillers because I enjoy reading them. As a girl, I didn’t like to read until I was sick with the measles, and my mother gave me her childhood set of Nancy Drew mysteries, suggesting that I might like to pick one to while away the time . . . and to help me forget about the itching. I read the entire set in a week. I couldn’t put the books down. When I graduated to reading Agatha Christie, my love affair with books and mysteries, in particular, grew. When did I become a writer? Not in college. Oh, sure, I studied English literature as well as art history, the history of dance, and romance languages, but two teachers, one in grammar school and another in college, weren’t enthusiastic about my writing, so I didn’t pursue it. When the opportunity arose for me to become an actress—one of my passions for the longest time—I jumped at it. But in order to survive while auditioning for roles, sometimes an actor needs to do other jobs. I worked as a waitress, legal assistant, and Realtor.

Along the way, I decided that in order to become a star, I needed a vehicle to star in, so I tried my hand at writing screenplays. I studied the craft. Before stardom struck, however, my husband received an opportunity that we couldn’t refuse. We transferred across the country. Blithely, I said to myself that a writer could write anywhere, but a screenplay writer, unless already established, needed to live near Hollywood or New York City. So I ended the screenwriting dream.

When I switched my focus to writing novels, I was hooked.

Now, you’ve probably heard: “Write what you know.” Given my history, did that mean all I could write about was an actress who tap-danced her way through an art museum while offering legal advice, waiting tables, or selling the occasional house? No one would read about that.  Or maybe someone would.   Hmmm, note to self… 

But I digress.  “Write what you know” really means write what you are passionate about so you can make others passionate about it. Knowledge alone is not enough to keep me writing for months on end. It’s certainly not enough to help me on those lonely nights while facing a blank page. And, honestly, facts are not enough to keep my readers intrigued. To that end, as a writer, I have studied dozens of different topics that interest me. I have poured over scientific journals about cloning and enhancing genetics and computer hacking to instill my thrillers with authenticity. I have immersed myself in the history of Lake Tahoe so I could make the location for my Aspen Adams suspense novels sizzle. My bookshelves are filled with books about poisons and investigative procedures. I never tire of learning.

At the moment, I’m passionate about meditation and gemstones, classic novels. Why? I have two series in the works, the Literary Dining Mysteries and the Aroma Wellness Mysteries.

For the Literary Dining series, I read a classic novel and then study the time period to find tasty recipes—because I include recipes in many of my mysteries. For my current release, Murder by the Millions, the book to be discussed at the literary dining party is The Great Gatsby. Did you know that pineapple upside down cake was big during the Roaring Twenties?  Around 1925 the Hawaiian Pineapple company held a contest, and many entries featured pineapple upside-down cake. Judges from Miss Farmer’s School of Cookery, Good Housekeeping, and McCall’s Magazine chose the winner.

For the first book in the Aroma Wellness series, Essence of Foul Play, I boned up on opening a spa business, the beauty of aromas, and the magical qualities of gemstones. I even had a friend, Kathleen Kaminski, read my fortune using crystals. Did you know that most practitioners believe the stones possess unique vibrations?

So why do I write what I write? Because I love the journey. My mind is aways active. My creative juices are forever churning.  And . . . with all the deadlines I have to meet, let’s face it, writing keeps me out of trouble.

Readers, why do you do what you do? Do you love a good mystery? What other genre do you read? Comment to be entered to win a choice of ESSENCE OF FOUL PLAY or MURDER BY THE MILLIONS, and swag. (US ONLY)

BIO: Daryl Wood Gerber is the Agatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author of the Literary Dining Mysteries, Aroma Wellness Mysteries, Fairy Garden Mysteries and Cookbook Nook Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes suspense novels, including the well-received Accidental Murder, The Son’s Secret, Girl on the Run, andthe popular Aspen Adams trilogy. Daryl has published a standalone Christmas romance, Hope for the Holidays, and her short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies.Fun Tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, garden, read, and walk her frisky Goldendoodle. Also she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You can learn more on her website: https://darylwoodgerber.com

DARYL LINKS:

WEBSITE: https://darylwoodgerber.com

FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/darylwoodgerber

BOOKBUB: https://bookbub.com/authors/daryl-wood-gerber

YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/woodgerb1

INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/darylwoodgerber

GOODREADS: https://goodreads.com/darylwoodgerber

AMAZON: amazon: https://bit.ly/Daryl_Wood_Gerber_page

https://bit.ly/3SenzVy

NEWSLETTER: https://darylwoodgerber.com/contact-media/

43 thoughts on “Guest Chick: Daryl Wood Gerber”

  1. Hi, Daryl! Thank you so much for visiting Chicks on the Case. Congratulations on Murder by the Millions and Essence of Foul Play! Love the titles. Like you, I write mysteries because I absolutely love them. I love the puzzles.

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  3. I’ve pretty much always loved reading, even before I could read I would look through books. My tastes in reading have changed over the decades, but I’ve read books in almost every genre, used to devour nonfiction (especially history). Now, I prefer cozy mysteries and fantasies – mostly so I can sleep at night. I also fold lots of origami. My Japanese grandmother taught me when I was 8 years old, and I’ve been folding ever since. I’m currently folding LOTS of origami Christmas ornaments for my library co-workers and fellow church choir members. Folding origami helps calm my mind as I focus on precise, sharp folds, and also keeps my hands and fingers nimble. I have loved your cozy books ever since I first saw one of the Cheese Shop Mysteries years ago. The Cookbook Nook series is one of my favorites. Thanks for all the wonderful books!

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  4. Great post, Daryl. I read all sorts of things, but like you mystery is my first love so that’s what I write. I didn’t know anything about investigating or police procedure when I started. I had to learn. But boy is figuring out how it all comes together fun!

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  5. While mysteries are my go to reading material, I enjoy thrillers, historical fiction, and so many others. I want a good story and I agree, the writer’s passion makes a story or kills it. My the learning/writing journey continue as long as you want! I’ll just keep trying to get them all read!
    Congratulations on your many series, currently waiting for the Fairy Garden novella to drop into my kindle! Thanks for the opportunity to finally start the Literary Dining series.

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    1. Makennedy, thanks so much for letting me know you’re enjoying the series. Yay! I was talking with family last night about all the books I still should read and they’re decades old. Hard to keep up, right? ~ Daryl

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  6. nicely written post, Daryl.

    I appreciate your definition of “write what you know”. Like we all write murder mysteries because we know murder? I don’t think so!
    I like to read all genres except for horror (which gives me nightmares, so it does its job).

    I am very excited to read the literary dining one. Kind of kismet you came out with it, because I’ve been working on a draft where a competitive bartender has a popup speakeasy based in Al Capone. I love the era!

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  8. It’s so fun learning about different things, both in reading and writing. It’s like you get to dip into one of your “unlived lives” for a while. “Hmmmm, what would it be like to run a spa?” Through writing, you get to experience it without having to actually go open a spa. Thanks so much for stopping by today, Daryl!

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  9. Yes, write what interests you is certainly better than write what you know. Glad you’re having fun with the new series. (No need to enter me in the giveaway.)

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  10. Daryl, so glad you’re here! I also love mysteries and adored both the Nancy Drew series & Agatha Christie’s books. Thanks for writing about your passions–though I’d read a book about an actress tap-dancing through an art museum!

    And I think recipes in books are fabulous! P.S. Did you know it’s National Cake Day? Have some pineapple upside-down cake to celebrate!

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  11. I couldn’t agree more about “writing what you know” meaning write what brings you passion, so you can share that passion with your readers. (It’s why I write about Hawai’i, Santa Cruz, and food!) And speaking of Hawai’i, I love that factoid about pineapple upside-down cake!

    Thanks so much for visiting this Chicks today, dear Daryl–what an inspiring post!

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  12. I almost exclusively read cozies, but lately I’ve been branching out a little bit and reading some books of Jewish interest-history, rom-coms with a Jewish theme. But I love your books and haven’t read either of the new series’ yet. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  14. Hi Daryl,

    Love your books. It’s so fun when an author shares behind the scenes stuff. I enjoy getting a peek at the process. I read mysteries, PNR, sci-fi, romantasy – most anything except horror and dark romance.

    I’m not currently working (a few health issues), instead I am helping my mom who has been diagnosed with dementia. She does pretty well most days, but there are some things that are starting to slip by. It’s a terrible disease. Zero stars/do not recommend.

    I would love a copy of Murder By The Millions. Thanks for the chance.

    Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  15. I love to read cozy mysteries and if they are fantasy or paranormal, even better. They are an escape for me. Thank you for writing the books I love to read. I would love a copy of Essence of Foul Play, if chosen. Thank you for the chance.

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  16. Congratulations on your writing milestone, Daryl! Your persistence and perseverance are paid off.

    I have worked in different places like as a production line supervisor, a marketing person for a housing development company, and I’m now work as a teacher’s aide for 10 years now .. Sometimes it’s stressful and frustrating but my satisfaction comes when my students learn how to solve math problems and write some good essays on their own.

    I’m a big fan of suspense mystery, psychological and horror thrillers. I also enjoy cozy mysteries and historical (mystery) fiction. My elementary English teacher always encouraged me to borrow English chaptered books from library, especially Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! – Emily

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  18. After being a mom-at-home till our singleton went to college, my former employer (government library – I was a Library Technician) now uses half as many people (thanks, computers!). Currently I’m a substitute teacher. This didn’t require a lot of training or earning more degrees.

    My introduction to mystery fiction in third grade was also the Nancy Drew series; I still love reading mysteries. I also enjoy sweet romance, historical fiction, some science fiction, biographies, and upper grade children’s’ novels.

    Cooking is another favorite activity, so Murder by the Millions would be my choice of the two books you’re offering (thank you for participating!).

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  20. Cozy mysteries are my favorite genre; the other genre I like is historical romances, clean romances. Thanks for the chance. ~Lisa Brown

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  21. Love mysteries, and your series in particular! I read pretty widely, including romantasy, fantasy, romance, nonfiction. I’m probably forgetting some. Khpinelake (at) gmail (dot) com

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