"Q & A With Maia Chance" Blog Tour

Today I would like to welcome Maia Chance, author of "Beauty, Beast, and Belladonna, to The Reading Corner.  Thanks for stopping by Maia.

1. Describe Beauty, Beast, and Belladonna in 140 characters or less.

Beauty, Beast, and  Belladonna, is a fun, adventurous, and romantic historical mystery set in a secret-riddled French chateau in 1867.

2. What is the best reaction over a book that you've ever gotten from a fan?

Fans who say my book gave them pure pleasure--that's happened a few times--makes me so happy. It's my aim to give people something to read that's a pleasurable and absorbing diversion from Real Life. Real Life is hard.

3. What's your favorite part of  Ophelia's quirky personality?

I like the way Ophelia compensates in creative and gutsy ways for her lack of a good formal education. She's smart and resourceful and she uses her unusual skill set--farm girl, circus performer, actress--to help solve the mystery.

4. What inspired you to marry fairytales and mystery?

I was searching for something that hadn't been done yet, and I was reading a lot of fairy tale criticism for school at the time. It sounded like a deliciously fun project, so I plunged in.

5. Is there a type of scene that's harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?

Dialogue definitely comes more easily for me. I find action scenes more challenging--I paranoid that they'll get buffed down. (So if I can, I add dialogue to my action scenes!)

6. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Sticking to strict schedules. I don't like to keep people waiting, but there is something to be said for giving yourself creative or restful wiggle-room during the day.

7.  Which of the characters in this novel do you feel the most drawn to?

I became more attached to Professor Penrose in this book. He's more vulnerable and at a loss than in the previous two books--and more deeply in love.

8.  Can you describe for us your process for naming characters?

For historical American characters I use census records. I collect names from cemeteries whenever I visit one, and I often borrow names from literature. Since my books have lots of characters, I try to give them all distinctive names that hint at their personalities, to help the reader keep everyone sorted in their mind. 

9. Who is your most loved hero of fiction?

Indiana Jones.

10. What are you working on next?

I just completed a humorous contemporary mystery that does not yet have a publisher, and I'm working on a historical fantasy adventure with a co-author. After that, the next thing will be book #3 of the Discreet Retrieval Agency series.

WOW!  It sounds like you will be a busy lady! Again thanks Maia Chance for visiting The Reading Corner today.