Place, Food, Mood

The secret sauce for a successful Gothic mystery

In all of my books, the place, food, and mood are integral to the story. For me, these three elements help make the world feel real when I'm writing. I know I'm on to something when I sit down to my computer, and I feel like I'm mentally transported to story's setting. I can picture what the MC sees when she walks out her front door, what she eats when she's excited about her surroundings, what she mindlessly consumes when she's beginning to obsess, and what music is playing in the background.

These three elements are critical for me in my process, but also, as a gothic mystery writer, I know readers are likewise looking for atmosphere and escapism.

In this section, I'll dive into the place, food, and mood of my stories, and give a behind the scenes peek at the real-life inspiration for each. I hope you enjoy!