I love to hear about my fellow authors, writers, bloggers and poets. I get the wonderful opportunity to interview some of my fellow writers and authors from different genres. Then I get to share a bit more about them and their books with you.

Author Interview with R. M. Clark, Author of Dizzy Miss Lizzie

Please share a bit more about you.
I am writer–mostly middle grade– from SE Massachusetts. I’ve written eight books and one, Dizzy Miss Lizzie, has been published. My agents are Jenn Mishler and Fran Black of Literary Counsel. I got a Computer Science degree from the University of Idaho many (many) years ago and I work for the Dept. of Navy.

When did you begin your writing journey?
I decided to start writing in early 2007. I had entertained the notion for many years, but I never had the motivation. Little did I realize how much work it would be.

What inspired you to become a writer?
I had an idea for a story about a town’s missing time capsule after witnessing our town burying one a few years earlier. I decided to turn off the TV, get off the internet and start writing the story. It took me nine months to finish that first book, but I pulled it off.

Please share more about your latest book.
Dizzy Miss Lizzie is a middle grade story about a friendship between two teen girls who just happen to live 120 years apart. Kasey Madrid and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Bellows talk to each other in a special basement room of (what is) Kasey’s and (what was) Lizzie’s house. Kasey finds out Lizzie was later alleged to have committed a heinous crime and sets out to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, Lizzie is the source of terrible Madrid family secret and Kasey must also solve that mystery while clearing Lizzie’s name.

Why do you feel this book is relevant in today’s society?
This is mainly a book about friendship and responsibility. Kasey is willing to do just about anything to help clear her friend Lizzie. That’s what friends do and have always done.

Most writers are readers. What books do you have on your nightstand or on your “must read” list?
I alternate between young adult/middle grade books and adult thrillers. I just finished Possess by Gretchen McNeil (YA horror) and I’m reading Deadwood Park by Kell Andrews (middle grade) and The Street Lawyer by John Grisham.

If you could give one piece of advice to beginning writers, what would it be and why?
Finish the damn book! Too many writers get ahead of themselves worrying about which agents to query or how they’ll market the book or who should play the lead in the movie version. Type THE END, then edit and polish like mad.

How did you decide to publish your book and why?
I had an agent for Dizzy Miss Lizzie, but he was unable to sell it. After we parted ways, I set out on my own to find a publisher who loved it and found Marsha Morris at Stanley Publishing. She offered me a contract in August of 2011.

Where can others find out more about you and your book?
My webite is rmclarkauthor.com. Dizzy Miss Lizzie is available from the Stanley Publishing website and from Amazon and Barnes&Noble.

What other things do you have going on for the rest of 2012?
My agents are actively shopping around another of my middle grade mysteries, Good Golly Miss Molly. While I await positive news from them (I hope!) I’m updating an
adult thriller I wrote several years ago. That should keep me busy for a few months.

One more question for fun sake—what was your favorite childhood toy and why?

I am youngest of six kids, so toys were usually hand-me-downs. We were big into
board games and I always loved Mouse Trap!