It’s a Mystery

Confession, it’s a mystery how I became a mystery writer. Cozy mysteries have been a favorite since I discovered them years ago. How I wish I could remember the first one I ever read. Perhaps my sister’s copy of Beverly Gray, Sophomore, by Clair Blank. Sis was seven years older, so I was probably around eight or so. She taught me to read when I was very young.

This book was written about ten years prior to my sister’s birth. I have no idea why she had it. Perhaps our step-grandmother, Ruth Billington Dupree, had it in her books. I still have Grandmother Ruth’s copy of The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas. This copy was published by Peoples Book Club, Chicago. The date inside is 1942, even before my sister was born. The best part of this book is Grandmother’s signature in the front. I love that I still have that. I read this one when I was about eleven or so.

From there, my reading tastes grew with the likes of the Bronte sisters, Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, and Gwen Bristow. We read Dickens when I was in high school, but I wasn’t a fan. I hate to admit it, but I’ve not read many of the classics. Pride and Prejudice isn’t my thing at all. I know, you probably loved it. But as my precious Daddy used to say, That’s why they made chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Something for everyone’s tastes.

In the 80s and 90s, I read more than my share of romance novels. I even thought I’d write those at one point. For my 40^th birthday, my husband gifted me with a day novel retreat on Sanibel Island sponsored by the local RWA chapter. I still have the handouts from that conference . . . and my rejection letter. The first one. Do you keep yours? Good reminders of how far we’ve come.

It's a Mystery @DDuPreeWilliams #writing #WritingCommunity #mystery Share on X

I can’t remember when I discovered them, but I found cozy mysteries long before I knew they were called that. I read all of Ann George’s books. She was a Birmingham author, and her work was hilarious. It featured two sisters who reminded me so much of my sister and me. If you’ve not read her series, do find those, Southern Sisters Mysteries. One features a wedding in the church my husband and I were members of back in the 1980s.

Then I discovered Patricia Sprinkle (author, Deborah Sprinkle says they’re not kin, but both write fabulous mysteries) and her Thoroughly Southern Mysteries. So good! She even wrote a three-book series of genealogy mysteries. I was thrilled when I reached out to her via email, and she responded. Turns out, we have connections to my hometown of Andalusia. Y’all, it’s a small world. At the time, we each had three sons. I’ve since added a fourth. Surprise!

Then my sister told me about webpages for authors. Can you say clueless? Seriously, I didn’t know that. But that is how I wound up at BRMCWC, thinking I’d be writing picture books.

But Josie’s story kept calling me, so Grave Consequences was born. It’s a Southern family mystery. I had so much fun creating the characters and their stories. Honestly, I had no idea about how to write a mystery. I’d read a ton of them, then I read all the books I could find on how it’s done. Along with good critique groups (Word Weavers, ACFW, Blue Ridge Writers), and a wonderful editor (Eva Marie Everson), I learned how to string words together into a good story.

And thanks to those doors that opened at BRMCWC, I know more authors than I can keep up with. How I wish I had time to read all their books! My TBR (to be read) pile has grown exponentially.

Today, I’m so close to finishing the revisions and edits on Grave Decisions, book two. I can’t wait for you to read it and let me know what you think. If you haven’t heard, my editor for book two is none other than the incomparable DiAnn Mills. I’m so excited to be working with her.

Here’s a reminder—Grave Consequences is FREE through tomorrow. If you haven’t grabbed a copy yet, this is a perfect time to do so. That way, you’ll know the characters and their backgrounds before book two is available. Oh, and recipes are in the back and will be in book two, also. Good old Southern down-home food, like Granny used to make. Please share this info with your friends and family. Thank you so much! I hope this link works. If it doesn’t, go to Amazon and search for my name and the title of the book.

https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=grave+consequences%2C+debra+dupree+williams&i=digital-text&crid=J4TCX7DRK2QW&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C65&ref=nb_sb_ss_recent_1_0_recent

Blessings, y’all!

 

Here is a favorite Scripture, and it’s about a mystery. This one is easily solved. Just give your heart, soul, mind, all that you are, to Jesus. The One who died for you.  You’ll find this in  First Corinthians 15:51-56. Verses 51-52 NKJV say, Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

 

How I love this song. Another one I’ve sung more times than I can count. Some things may be a mystery, but this isn’t one of them. I Know Who Holds Tomorrow! Larry Ford and his wife live in Ft. Myers, FL. His mother-in-law, whom my family called Mama Lessie, was a member of my nephew’s church (he’s Gray Foshee, an associate pastor at City Gate). Mama Lessie is one of the wonderful people who anointed and prayed over my sister more than once when she was battling breast cancer. So, I feel a connection to Larry, even though he doesn’t know me. He surely can sing! On a personal note, my niece and he, along with a few other people, just sang at the memorial service for a church member. That’s what Granny called rubbing elbows.