So, who are you & what have you written?
My name is Lesley Cookman, and I have written sixteen books, a novella and a short story in the Libby Sarjeant series; the first novella in a new Edwardian series called The Alexandrians; seven pantomimes, a stage musical and several short stories. All found on my website HERE, including links to my Facebook and Twitter pages.
Why do you write crime fiction?
I write crime fiction because it’s my favourite genre to read. My parents allowed me free access to their bookshelves as a child, and I began with the greats of the Golden Age, Ngaio Marsh, John Dickson Carr/Carter Dickson, Margery Allingham and Dorothy Sayers. I have tried writing romance, but I’m not very good at it!
What informs your crime writing?
I suppose it’s the question of what makes an ordinary person commit murder. I don’t go in for organised crime much, although it has surfaced in a couple of books.
What’s your usual writing routine?
My usual writing routine is a trifle haphazard. I start off by answering emails and social media posts in the morning on the MacBook, then, after I’ve done any chores that desperately need doing, I go into the office and faff around for a bit. Then I’ll start writing. How long I spend there – with a break for lunch, of course – depends on how near my deadline is!
Which crime book do you wish YOU’D written, and why?
I don’t wish I’d written anybody else’s book, I simply wish I could write my own a little quicker and better than I do. I admire a lot of the authors writing today, and I’m in awe of some of their meticulous research, especially the historical authors.
