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Debbi Mack interviews mystery writer Daniella Burnett on the Crime Cafe podcast.
Read along with the podcast or, if you’re in a rush, download a copy of the show notes here.
eDebbi: [00:00:13] Hi, everyone. This is the Crime Cafe, your podcasting source of great crime, suspense, and thriller writing. I’m your host, Debbi Mack. Before I bring on my guest, I’ll just remind you that the Crime Cafe has two ebooks for sale: the nine-book box set and the short story anthology. You can find the buy links for both on my website DebbiMack.com, under the “Crime Cafe” link. You can also get a free copy of either book if you become a Patreon supporter. You’ll get that and much more if you support the podcast on Patreon, along with our eternal gratitude for doing so.
Debbi: [00:01:02] Hi, everyone. Before we get started, I’d like to express my thanks to S Koran for becoming our latest Patreon supporter. Every little bit helps, you guys. So thank you so much. Having said that, our guest is making a return visit today. A poet as well as a mystery writer, she’s the author of The Emmeline Kirby/Gregory Longdon mystery series. And her name is Daniella Burnett.
[00:01:31] Hi, Daniella. It’s good to see you again.
Daniella: [00:01:34] Hi. It’s nice to be back.
Debbi: [00:01:36] Awesome. So tell us a little bit about your latest book in the series.
Daniella: [00:01:42] Well, my latest book is called When Blood Runs Cold. And my series is the Emmeline Kirby/Gregory Longdon series. It’s about a journalist and a jewel thief. And, in this book, we deal with a diamond, spies, and poisonous lies.
Debbi: [00:02:04] Well, that’s interesting.
Daniella: [00:02:07] A lot of elements there.
Debbi: [00:02:09] It seems to me that each book brings Emmeline and Gregory a bit closer together. At the same time, all these secrets from the past crawl out of the woodwork and seem to conspire to keep them apart or at the very least, threaten them. Do you come up with these complications as you write each book? Or were they planned from Book One?
Daniella: [00:02:33] They were actually planned from Book One because it is a series. I leave a little something in one book and develop it a little bit more. Give you a little hint for the next book. So it was planned from the beginning. And in this in this particular book, Emmeline and Gregory are engaged. But as you noted, there is a lie. Like everything Emmeline thought about her life, all of a sudden she discovers it’s been a lie. And that does have an impact on the dynamic of their relationship and to the rest of the story. And a number of the characters that they do meet. And it also has another element, something from Gregory’s past. This ruthless entrepreneur named Alastair Swanbeck has come back for revenge against Gregory for things that should have been left alone.
“I leave a little something in one book and develop it a little bit more. Give you a little hint for the next book. So it was planned from the beginning. And in this in this particular book, Emmeline and Gregory are engaged. But as you noted, there is a lie.”
Debbi: [00:03:29] Uh-huh. Yes. Yes, I noticed Swanbeck is introduced right there at the beginning, along with the fact that Emmeline’s parents were murdered.
Daniella: [00:03:44] Yes. She discovered that at the end of the previous book, A Checkered Past, because her parents were journalists like she was, and she had been told that they had been killed while on assignment when she was five years old. So that’s what she had believed up until this point. But at the end of A Checkered Past, we discover that her parents were really murdered. So that’s the way When Blood Runs Cold starts out. She’s determined to follow their killer, even though it has been 25 years since her parents died.
Debbi: [00:04:22] So that’s a very cold case. So I take it you’re one of those writers who likes to create big biographies for your characters before you get started on the work?
Daniella: [00:04:34] Well, I mean, I think for any author, it’s important that the author knows everything about each character so that you know how a character would react in a certain situation. You know what would make them angry? You know their foibles, their good qualities. That’s important for an author to know. So that as you’re creating stories, the readers, once they’ve made that connection, they’ll say, oh, she’s in trouble because she has a short temper or because of this. So it’s very important that an author develops the biographies of each character, especially for me in terms of a series. I have the ongoing Emmeline and Gregory, and that’s important to know their backgrounds, to see how it affects their life now.
“I think for any author, it’s important that the author knows everything about each character so that you know how a character would react in a certain situation. You know what would make them angry? You know their foibles, their good qualities. That’s important for an author to know.”
Debbi: [00:05:29] Are you more of a plotter or a pantser? I think I know the answer.
Daniella: [00:05:34] Well, I’m definitely a plotter. I don’t do an outline, but I do like to plot out each book in my head before I start, because I like to have that basic skeleton of the plot to follow. As I’m writing, I may think, I may come up with another idea, but at least I have that basic line to follow. And I always know from the beginning who the killer is. I think that for me it’s important, because then I can put the red herrings, I can put the important clues if I know who the bad guy is from the beginning.
“I’m definitely a plotter. I don’t do an outline, but I do like to plot out each book in my head before I start, because I like to have that basic skeleton of the plot to follow. As I’m writing, I may think, I may come up with another idea, but at least I have that basic line to follow.”
Debbi: [00:06:09] Yeah, I know what you’re saying. Yeah, I have a tendency to work the same way. You hold down a regular 9-to-5 job and write books. I think that’s remarkable. What kind of writing schedule do you follow, and do you have a certain number of hours or number of words you like to try to reach?
Daniella: [00:06:28] Well, finding the time to squeeze in to write. That’s the most difficult thing for me, because as you said, I do have a full time job, so I can only write in the evenings when I come home from work. And on the weekends, because during the day, that’s impossible because I have my job to do. So, you know, some days when I come home from work, I’m tired or my brain is not functioning, then I can only write a paragraph. And that’s frustrating for me because I have so little time to begin with. And then other days, you know, the muse is working and I can write two or three pages. So I don’t really have you know, I know some people say they want to write a thousand words a day. It’s whatever I can squeeze in to do because of my job.
Debbi: [00:07:16] I can fully appreciate that. This latest book and the last one really gets into some international political territory.
Daniella: [00:07:26] Yes.
Debbi: [00:07:28] How much do you rely on current events for your material?
Daniella: [00:07:32] Well, I mean, like with this story in particular, it deals with a Russian defector in London who is killed. And as we know from … it’s well-documented that Putin always considers defectors or those who are his opponents as traitors. So, I mean, that obviously that aspect of my story takes from real life. And then I develop my own tale based on that essential little nugget. So, yeah, I mean, in terms of inspiration, current events impact it, especially for Emmeline being a journalist. Of course, current events to a certain extent will affect my storyline because, you know, a journalist is curious, always wants to know about things, is always following up leads. So she would be, you know, current events have to impact it in some way because of her job.
“Of course, current events to a certain extent will affect my storyline because, you know, a journalist is curious, always wants to know about things, is always following up leads. So she would be, you know, current events have to impact it in some way because of her job.”
Debbi: [00:08:32] Yes, yes. It’s just that some people, some authors try for a kind of timeless quality to their work. And some people are very rooted in a particular period. When would you say this is taking place?
Daniella: [00:08:46] Well, my books are set in 2010. So it’s contemporary, but it’s not, you know, today. So it is a few years back. But, you know, some of the same issues still are ongoing in terms of the Russians, you know, with the defectors and Putin, as I mentioned. For example, back in 2006, a former FSB agent, Alexander Litvinenko, was poisoned at a hotel in London after a meeting with two Russians. So to that extent, you know, some of that gave me a spark of an idea, because there are a couple of poisonings in my book. So, you know, that was an idea. So it is rooted in today, but it’s not based on a specific event, because I’m developing my own story.
“Well, my books are set in 2010. So it’s contemporary, but it’s not, you know, today. So it is a few years back. But, you know, some of the same issues still are ongoing in terms of the Russians, you know, with the defectors and Putin, as I mentioned.”
Debbi: [00:09:39] Mm-hmm. Yeah. And the book is going to outlive you. So I mean, you hope it’s something that people will read 50 years from now and still love.
Daniella: [00:09:50] Yeah, I hope so.
Debbi: [00:09:51] Because of the timelessness of the themes. Of relationships.
Daniella: [00:09:55] Right. Exactly that. I mean you have these contemporary issues, but you have these elements of everyday life: jealousy, love, hate, greed. You know that all, it’s just how you mix that all up in a bowl to create the story and then you add the element of issues of the day. But those are timeless. You know, those things affect people on a daily basis. Those are human emotions and motives for doing various things.
“I mean you have these contemporary issues, but you have these elements of everyday life: jealousy, love, hate, greed. You know that all, it’s just how you mix that all up in a bowl to create the story and then you add the element of issues of the day.”
Debbi: [00:10:27] Exactly. I mean, it’s just the human experience. So what are you working on now?
Daniella: [00:10:34] What am I working on now? I’m actually working on Book Seven, because I’m a couple of books ahead, because When Blood Runs Cold, this Book Five … Old Sins Never Die is Book Six, which will be coming out in Fall of 2020. But I am working on Book Seven. But I do not want to give you the title, because I don’t like to mention that when I’m in the middle of my book. But let me assure you that Emmeline and Gregory are still getting into an awful lot of trouble.
“I am working on Book Seven. But I do not want to give you the title, because I don’t like to mention that when I’m in the middle of my book. But let me assure you that Emmeline and Gregory are still getting into an awful lot of trouble.”
Debbi: [00:11:07] Omigosh.
Daniella: [00:11:08] And actually, speaking of Book Seven, a couple of the characters from When Blood Runs Cold, the one that just came out, some of the issues that come up in this one affect what’s happening in the book I’m working on right now. So, as you can see, I leave things and I develop them a little bit more later on.
Debbi: [00:11:27] Mm-Hmm. I got to ask, will Gregory ever get exonerated? Will he ever be accepted as a non-jewel thief?
Daniella: [00:11:40] Well I mean as you saw in A Checkered Past, he was a jewel thief. But now because Emmeline gave him an ultimatum, either he finds a legitimate job or she won’t marry him. So he did find a job as an insurance investigator. But everybody’s looking at that as the fox in the henhouse. So he is doing his job. But, you know, once a jewel thief, always a jewel thief. Life is a little tame now as an insurance investigator, but something does spark his interest in this book. It’s called The Blue Angel. It’s a 12-carat blue diamond. And there’s a very intense, heated bidding war at a Sotheby’s auction in the book. And that plays a big part in the story as well.
Debbi: [00:12:33] Okay. Well, Gregory will always be Gregory, I guess.
Daniella: [00:12:37] That’s right.
Debbi: [00:12:39] Do you have a plan for how many books you want to write in the series?
Daniella: [00:12:43] A lot of people have asked me that. At this stage, you know, I will write the series until I can’t think of any more trouble for Emmeline and Gregory to get embroiled in. But I haven’t set out that I’m only going to do 10 books or three books. When I get to the point when I can’t think of any more storylines for the two of them, perhaps I’ll start a new series.
“At this stage, you know, I will write the series until I can’t think of any more trouble for Emmeline and Gregory to get embroiled in. … When I get to the point when I can’t think of any more storylines for the two of them, perhaps I’ll start a new series.”
Debbi: [00:13:08] Mm hmm. Does your research into the subject matter ever take you to England itself? Do you often go to England to do research there?
Daniella: [00:13:22] Well, I’ve visited the UK and London a number of times, because I’ve been an Anglophile since I was a little kid. But for me, in terms of research, I get the ideas from my books when I’m somewhere, you know, like a certain setting or a certain restaurant. All of a sudden when I’m there, it gives me an idea. It’s not that I have this storyline in my head and I say, oh, now I have to visit the place so I can develop it more. It’s really when I’m already there. So in terms of my research, I get the feeling or the sense of a place when I’m there, not sitting here at home trying to develop my story and say, okay, now I have to go there to get the feel and the taste and the sense of the site.
Debbi: [00:14:09] Mm hmm. Interesting. So you’ve been to London before and probably gotten these ideas while you were there.
Daniella: [00:14:16] Oh, yes.
Debbi: [00:14:18] Okay.
Daniella: [00:14:19] Yeah, yeah. I like … certain places in my books. I like to feature them because it made an impression on me. I liked a certain restaurant or Regent’s Park has appeared a number of times in my books because I loved going there. And then some of the, you know, the major sites, of course they would figure in the book somehow.
Debbi: [00:14:41] Mm hmm. Okay. Well, that’s really cool, because when I went to the UK, I just loved the experience of going. And I can see where it’d be a great place to develop all sorts of interesting ideas.
Daniella: [00:14:57] And as I said, too you know, I’ve been an Anglophile since I was a little kid, so I was always reading books about England, reading books set in England, or watching television programs or movies. So I was already steeped in that atmosphere and, you know, certain settings, the countryside, London. So I knew when I started my series that my characters had to be British. It had to essentially be based most of the time in England. Like the book, a previous book. I was in Scotland a little bit. Book Six. It was in Scotland a little bit. The first book also took place in Venice, another one of my loves. But essentially because they are British, essentially, I knew my series would be based in London or in the UK.
“I’ve been an Anglophile since I was a little kid, so I was always reading books about England, reading books set in England, or watching television programs or movies. So I was already steeped in that atmosphere and, you know, certain settings, the countryside, London. So I knew when I started my series that my characters had to be British.”
Debbi: [00:15:48] Mm hmm. And are you still writing poetry?
Daniella: [00:15:52] No. Right now I’m just focusing on my series. I mean I do occasionally get an idea for a poem, but right now I’m dedicated to my series.
Debbi: [00:16:04] Well, very good. Is there anything else you’d like to tell us before we finish up?
Daniella: [00:16:12] Well, let’s see. I’m always happy to hear from readers. There’s an email on my Web site, which is DaniellaBernett.com. I’m on Facebook. I’m on GoodReads. So if anybody would like to follow me, and as I said, I’m always happy to hear from readers. So if they want to leave me a little note, I’ll be glad to answer back or any questions. And I’m just delighted to be here. And I hope Emmeline and Gregory will live in readers’ hearts for a long time, and they’d be eager to continue to follow their adventures.
Debbi: [00:16:46] Awesome. Well, I got to tell you, I’ve been enjoying the books, and I certainly hope that everybody goes out and checks Amazon or wherever you buy books to look for them. The Emmeline Kirby/Gregory Longdon series by Daniella Burnett. And I want to thank you very much for being here, Daniella. It was great to see you again.
Daniella: [00:17:12] It’s been a joy as always time to stop by and chat for a little while about England, about books. You know, what better subjects to exchange ideas on?
Debbi: [00:17:20] England’s swings. Yeah, it’s awesome. In closing, I’ll just add that the Crime Cafe nine-book set and short story anthology are available for sale from all major retailers. You can find the information about the books and where to buy them on my web site DebbiMack.com, which is where you’ll also find our Patreon page. Check it out there. Our guest next time will be Peter Eichstaedt. Until then. Enjoy your week. And happy reading.
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