Author Spotlight: Jen Dodrill
Author of the Empty Nesters Mystery Series
Jen Dodrill, author of Birds Alive! (Image credit: Jen Dodrill)
Jen Dodrill is the author of the Empty Nesters Mystery Series. The amateur sleuth in this clean and cozy murder mystery series is Peg, an empty-nester who starts a birding group with an assortment of odd-duck friends. The Empty Nesters Birding Group solves mysteries with lots of twists and turns and good humor.
Book 1 is Birds Alive!
Book 2 is Where’s the Quetzal
Book 3 is No Egrets
Cozy Crime Reads Interview with Jen Dodrill
What attracted you to the cozy mystery genre?
As a writer, the idea of setting up a mystery intrigued me (although setting up suspects and red herrings is hard!) I love the cozy mystery concept - close-knit community, often a female sleuth, animals, humor.
What are a few of the essential elements that make a cozy stand out to you as a reader?
Like I said, the community and humor. Having humor in a story just makes it more fun. I love having animals in my stories.
Do you have a favorite amateur sleuth?
When I first started reading cozies, I loved Leigh Perry's skeleton series. Sid, the skelly, is a hoot. I also like Violet Waverly in Amanda Flower's A Magical Bookshop series (plus there's a tuxedo cat in it).
Empty Nesters Mystery Books 1-3
What inspired your first cozy mystery?
I was staying at my dad's (he was very sick), and I'd been thinking about writing a story with an older female sleuth. Being a more "mature" woman myself, I love reading books with women more my age. Dad was an avid birder, so I used his hobby in my series, The Empty Nesters Cozy Mystery series.
How do you research and create the "cozy" elements in your books, like the settings and community?
I grew up in Gulf Breeze, FL, right outside of Pensacola, where the series is set. I went to college in Pensacola, so I am familiar with the area. I used my dad's house as Peg's (the main character's) house, and I did have to research the different places my characters went to just to make sure I got them right - Barrancas out at NAS Pensacola, Fort Pickens and Geronimo's stay there, and of course, I had to research the birds. I am not a birder!
What is one key step in your writing process that helps you transform an idea into a finished book?
Hmm, good question. I'm not a plotter, although I use the Save the Cat outline. I usually start with a basic idea and go from there. I don't know the end when I start. In this series, I began with Peg, a recent empty nester looking for a hobby. This is something I took from my life!
What advice would you give aspiring cozy mystery authors who want to start writing their first novel?
Do it! It's fun! Seriously, though, learn, ask questions, attend conferences (in person if possible). I think writers need to constantly learn and grow in their craft. Connecting with other authors is essential. Join a critique group. Writing can look daunting, but it's truly fun.
How can readers connect with you online?
For more information, check out my blog: https://jendodrillwrites.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jendodrillwrites/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenDodrillWrites
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jen-Dodrill/author/B0CSDW3CHR
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/47887511.Jen_Dodrill
Birds Alive!
Where's the Quetzal?
No Egrets
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