Welcome Author Don Bruns!

Yes, folks, we have two author interviews back to back this week...and that means another chance to enter to win the prize pack of books this month!

Give a hearty hello to Don Bruns, who is a musician, songwriter, advertising executive and award-winning novelist. Bruns is the author of Jamaica Blue, Barbados Heat, South Beach Shakedown, St. Barts Breakdown and the forthcoming Bahama Burnout, a mystery series featuring rock and roll journalist Mick Sever.

Bruns is also the author of Stuff to Die For and Stuff Dreams Are Made Of. He has authored several short stories and served as editor of the anthology, A Merry Band of Murderers, which reached #5 on the Independent Mystery Bestsellers List in 2006. He is also a frequent contributor to The Little Blog of Murder. A former road musician who traveled and performed throughout the US with major entertainment acts, Don Bruns recently released a CD of original songs called "Last Flight Out," and performed two original songs at the 2004 Edgar Awards ceremonies. Don Bruns divides his time between Ohio and South Florida.

Welcome, Don! Can you tell us a little about your background?

I sent my first short story to Alfred Hitchcock Magazine when I was 12 years old. They promptly sent it back. So, when I turned fifty years old, I wrote another mystery. This time, with the help of Sue Grafton, it was published by St. Martin's Press, and with the 8th novel out this month I haven't looked back.

When did you first begin writing? Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

I think the Hardy Boys were the reason I started writing mysteries. In the fourth grade, our teacher had us write a Hardy Boy type mystery...each of us writing one chapter. At the end of the year we had a book and I realized that I really could be a part of this writing thing.

Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

Bahama Burnout is about a recording studio in Nassau that burns to the ground under mysterious circumstances. When it's rebuilt, ghostly things start to happen. Sessions are erased, instruments are smashed, and journalist Mick Sever investigates the strange happenings, realizing his life may be in danger as well.

How do you go about developing your characters?

Characters seem to develop themselves. I always thought that writers just said that to give their writing a magical kind of feel. But characters develop in response to their situation. When they being threatened with death, they respond a certain way. When they are with friends, they respond to the way that person treats them. I have no choice but to develop them in relationship to their surroundings.

What do you find most difficult about writing? What do you find most exciting or rewarding?

The worst part of writing is the actual marketing. You try any number of avenues. I haven't started Twittering yet, but I suppose that's next.

The most rewarding part of writing is talking to someone who's read your book. ( And liked it.)

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I play guitar. Used to do it professionally and it's very therapeutic.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book(s)?

That I come up with sentences, phrases, quotes and thoughts that I never would say or use in real life.

When you write, what method do you prefer?

Computer. Note book. Sometimes I have to write on my arm.

Don, thanks so much for being here today!

Readers, for a chance to win a signed copy of his latest book, go to Don’s book tour page, http://don-bruns.omnimystery.com/, enter your name, e-mail address, and this PIN, 8459, for your chance to win.

Entries from Allie's Musings will be accepted until 12:00 Noon (PT) tomorrow. No purchase is required to enter or to win. The winner (first name only) will be announced on Don’s book tour page next week!