Today, I’m interviewing fellow Ylva Publishing author Andrea Bramhall, who manages to write both lesbian mystery novels and lesbian romance—and who does both equally well.
Andrea is giving away an ebook copy of Collide-O-Scope, the first book in her Norfolk Coast Investigation series and a Lambda Literary Award finalist, so don’t miss the giveaway at the end of this post.
Welcome, Andrea. Please tell us a little about your Norfolk Coast Investigation series.
The Norfolk Coast Investigation Series is intended to be a set of four stories featuring the same characters, but separate crimes are investigated in each book so that each novel can effectively stand alone to a greater or lesser extent. I do feel they work better taken as a whole, but they can stand alone.
You have written both mysteries and romance novels. Would you say one is harder to write than the other? And what’s your preferred genre?
Each have their idiosyncrasies, but I do find I have to be much more organized and methodical when I’m writing the mysteries or crime focused stories if for no other reason than I have to know who my bad guy is before I start to lead the police and therefor the clues in that direction, without being too obvious. Hopefully. I don’t have as much freedom to go off-piste as I do in the romances where if I feel like adding a new scene that I’ve just come up with, I can without too much thought. In the mysteries, there can be all kind of ramifications to those simple things. I could be giving the killer and alibi I hadn’t intended!
Which do I prefer…Depends which day you ask me, to be honest. If I’m in a friendly mood, I’ll likely tell you I love to write romcom’s or romance. If someone’s pissed me off…or it’s the end of the summer tourist season…I NEED to write crime stories. I NEED to start killing folks off—in books—because jail is a real thing and I don’t want to become intimately acquainted with it.
Your romance novel Clean Slate, for which you won a prestigious Lambda Literary Award, features a woman who wakes up after an attack with a big gap in her memory. How did you come up with that idea, and how did you keep that amnesia plot from becoming a cliché?
I came up with this idea just after my Grandad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and we, as a family, were trying to come to terms with what this meant for all of us.
But it also came out of a period of depression I had where I still have a gap in my memory. There is a ten day period where I literally have no idea what I did. I left my home, intent on taking my own life. But for some reason the police found me later, going by a different name, living in rented accommodation, working a job I had no idea how I’d gotten, essentially building a whole new life for myself as someone else. My depression led me to a kind of fugue state where I built a barrier between the me I was in that moment and my normal self in order to survive—and I had no idea who I was before. Until the police said my name and it all came back. But between the two incidents the idea of Clean Slate was an idea I was always going to come to eventually in some way or another. As a way of exorcising my demons, I suppose.
Which of your characters would you have the biggest crush on if you met them in real life (and were single, of course)?
Hmm, interesting question. I think I fall a little bit in love with one of my leading ladies while I’m writing each WIP. But the one that has stayed with me the longest…I think Charlie, from Nightingale. Both the story and those characters refused to let go of me for so long. In fact they still have a grip on me to a large extent.
I know you have a very interesting writing process—you plot out your novels over the course of months and then write the first draft over just a few weeks. Can you tell us more about that process?
Ah, yes. My whiteboards have become somewhat infamous now. Lol. I tend to get a lot of my ideas for plots and characters during the summer when the campsite is extremely busy and I don’t have any time to sit down and write, nor the brain concentration if I’m truly honest, so instead I do research and plot during any free minutes I have. By doing this, by the time I get to the winter season, the stories are screaming to get out of my head and I can simply sit down and write them incredibly quickly. A first draft usually takes me between 10 days and three weeks. Then I leave it for a week and plot the next one with sticky notes all over my story arc, organise my notes and research, and get ready for the next project, before I go back and start redrafting it. This way story number two sets to pickling in the background while I finish number one of the season.
Your fake-relationship romance Rock and a Hard Place is set in Patagonia, against the backdrop of a rock climbing reality TV show. That’s a pretty adventurous mix! What kind of research did you do for the novel? Have you ever visited Patagonia or been rock climbing?
God, I love rock climbing and hiking. It’s part of the reason I fell in love with the Lake District—where I now live—and why my wife and I have moved up here. I wish I had been climbing in Patagonia, but alas, it is still but a box on my bucket list. As for the research…I watched hours and hours of documentaries about the place and climbing the mountains in the area. I even found YouTube videos of climbers climbing some of the particular ascents mentioned in Rock and a Hard Place. I read many books, about the routes and grades of the climbs, about rescue climbing, knot tying, best practice on the mountains and S&R techniques, self-rescue techniques and so much more. My knowledge of climbing to begin with was recreational, now…I rival mountain leaders and those in the mountain rescue service in terms of knowledge base and theory of these things. Though not in practice!
Since you are a mystery writer: How would you dispose of a dead body if you only had an hour to get rid of it?
If I told you, I’d have to kill you.
What’s your favorite place on earth?
I’m very lucky to have been to many beautiful places, but I think I’ve got to say one of my favorite is probably The Maldives. The diving, snorkeling, and watersports there are incredible but the truly amazing aspect of the chain of islands, beyond the geography of them, is the wildlife. The biodiversity of the marine life surrounding the tiny islands and coral reefs are the most incredible sites I have had the pleasure of witnessing in my life.
Do you have time to read, and do you read lesbian and f/f romances? If you do, what are your all-time favorites?
I do. I must admit to listening to more audiobooks these days than actually reading. I can listen while driving or walking the dogs, so it gives me the flexibility to multitask in a way that reading doesn’t, but I’ve also had some issue’s with migraine’s recently and reading’s been out. Listening however has been fine so the audiobooks have been an absolute lifesaver for me.
All time favs? Rad’s Honor series is way up there. Ali Vali’s Cain Casey series, Backwards to Oregon and Conflict of Interest by Jae, The Red Files by Lee Winter, Payback by Catherine Mills, Sarah Waters, Jeanette Winterson, and Val McDermid are pretty high up my must read list too. The usual mystery and crime writers diet, I guess you could call it. I do enjoy a good romance when the mood strikes but I’m pretty much always tempted by the call of a good mystery.
When’s your next book coming out, and what are you working on right now?
Right now I’m working on the fourth and final Norfolk Coast book, but I don’t yet have a publication date for it.
Where can your readers find out more about you and your books?
My website is https://andreabramhall.wordpress.com/ or you can find me on facebook AndreaBramhall or on Twitter @Andreabramhall and Insta @Andreabramhall
Book giveaway
Andrea is graciously giving away an e-book copy of her lesbian mystery novel Collide-O-Scope.
Anyone can enter. To be entered into the drawing, scroll down to the very end of this page and leave a comment on this blog post.
Entries close on Thursday, November 21, 2019, 10 a.m. CET, when I’ll draw the winners using a random numbers generator. I’ll notify winners via email. Your email address won’t be used for any other purpose.
Can’t wait to read. 🙂
I love a good lesbian mystery book. A lovely new writer, I’d love to try!
This is a new writer for me. I need to become acquainted with her work.
Thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to read this series!
I haven’t read anything from Andrea. I did however put Rock and a Hard Place in my TBR pile 😁
Not read any of her books, but looking forward to rectifying that.
oh another norfolk mystery in the making! great
Love a good mystery.
Love her writing. Look forward to her fourth book in the Norfolk Coast series. The Last First Time stayed with me for so long because it could happen to any one of us.
Andreas‘ books are the very best. If you haven‘t read one of her you are in for a treat.
Great interview. This book is on my list. I have read most of your work and I am a big fan.
Love your books Andrea.
Keep looking at this book but my wife always wants me to buy something else. Who knows one day I might get to read it.
I have a few of Andrea’s books and particularly enjoyed Ladyfish and Swordfish, they are both great books and well worth reading.
I love reading your interviews. I discover some wonderful writers and books I wasn’t aware of, like today, and that is a real treat.
Wow. Sounds like an awesome book
This was such a great interview!! I look forward to reading her books
This is the best interview so far. Never heard of this writer before but she enjoys two of my favourites, Radclyffe and Jae. Now I have to find her work. Thanks
Sounds great
Thank you for such a great interview. I always find it interesting to learn about an author’s writing style. I’m looking forward to checking out Andrea’s novels.
Would love to read something new and I’m always reading new authors books. Loving it so far!
Read a couple of books from Andrea so looking forward to another one
I have read and loved Andrea’s books and am fascinated by her writing process. Thank you for sharing this with us!
Love mysteries.
Looking forward to reading another great book.
Love the romance books, but the mysteries are my favorite!
Great interview! Can’t wait to read Collide-O-Scope.
Lived Ladyfish
Looking forward to reading more by Andrea. Jae thanks for another great interview.
Excited to read!
Her works sounds very impressive and I’m blown away by her openness on just how bad her depression has gotten in the past.
Enjoyed “Ladyfish” and “Swordfish”. This book looks like a winner.
I love reading books where I recognise the places and descriptions of them!
Looking forward to starting the series! Love thriller and romances so this author ticks all my boxes 😊
Love her books, own most of them!
Thanks for the interview. I’ve read a couple of your books, and loved ” Nightingale” in particular, so looking forward to reading more. Scary, your own amnesia event – glad you’ve been able to transform it to a creative endeavor.
Looking forward to checking out Rock and a Hard Place. The idea intrigues me.
So far I’ve only listened to Ladyfish and Swordfish, but i see a few more are in audible and are going on the wishlist now!
I LOVED Clean Slate, Neat book. Looking forward to more
Great interview. Loved Rock and a Hard Place. Haven’t read Collide-O-Scope yet, but would like to soon.
I’ve read all of Andrea’s books and loved them all.
This is a great book!
Sounds like a good book! Looks like I’m going to have to add a new author to my reading list.
I’m in for a new writer.
I haven’t read a lot of mystery novels, but I’ve been very interested in getting my hands on more! Her books seem really interesting.
I can’t wait to read some of your work.
Great interview. I love Andrea’s books, and appreciate the variety. The Norfolk Coast is on of my favorite series. (Don’t enter my name for the draw, I have the book)
Hi Ladies !!
Thanks for sharing this very interview with us. It’s always good to learn a bit more about our beloved authors 😊
I’ve reada novel by Andrea Bramhall, and I liked it. Several others are in my endless TBR-list …
About the giveaway : Good luck everyone !! 😉😉
A new lesbian mystery novel sounds like great fun! I haven’t read any for a long time and Andrea sparked my interest!
Her fav books are my fav books!
Love Andrea Bramhall‘s books!!
I love Andrea Bramhall‘s books!!
Nice interview thanks
great Interview. Thank you!
Mystery, mystery.
Thank you.
🐺✨
I’m always on the hunt for a good mystery novel, thanks for the recommendations!
I thought I was keeping up with authors better than this. This is the second new to me author in a row. And I am so jealous….I saw a documentary on the Maldives on the free educational channel. Many many years ago I had a friend who was in a high stress job for IBM. And was at that time not yet diagnosed as bipolar. She left from ky to go to the IBM facility in new York and totally disappeared. She had last talked to her partner (this was many years before marriages) to let her know she was there. But then didnt show up at IBM the next morning. Her supervisor called and was upset and her partner explained to him that she had arrived and she would never just not show up that something had to be wrong. So they began to search. Her partner went to NY and hounded the police. You can guess their attitude. And then a carload of her friends drove up to NY to look for her. The police located her car within the first few days but no sign of her. Her partner was frantic thinking the worst until someone finally recognized her picture . No cell phones or handy social media those days either. They were searching the hard way. It was over 3 wks when they found her. She had no idea who she was nor did she recognize her partner and friends. They got her sister to have her admitted to a hospital up there. Thats where they found out and diagnosed her as bipolar. She was nearly depleted of some vitamin as well that they said contributed to her memory loss and mental status. Andrea was fortunate that she seemed to be totally functional. Others can become so disoriented and then fall into the hands of vicious people. I just want to stress that if you yourself are suffering from depression even mild get help. There could be more serious physical problems that can be corrected and you could feel better in days. It might be PTSD or bi polar. Or any number of things. I had a reaction to a drug that caused a psychotic break. Fortunately I was already in therapy and called her number when I didnt recognize my own home. My kitchen was foreign to me and I could feel myself slipping and was terrified. Her name was the top of my list. We were lucky you or a friend might not be. Get help. If its family or friends get someone that can to have them admitted. Most hospitals will do a thorough blood test to rule out or rule in a problem. The help is there either way. When we are in a dark place we arent always able to admit or accept help. But just keep pushing. Dont give up. Lime Andrea my friend never remembered the 3 weeks she was missing or the first week in the hospital. Surprisingly IBM let her continue to remain employed but she remained sensitive to anyone ever bringing that month up with her. After reading what Andrea said about those 10days I have to wonder if she was hiding a similar feeling about her missing days. The key is to get help get checked physically as well. never assume.
I hope I am lucky enough to win her book her way of writing sounds intriguing and chaotic. Curious to read a finished project.
Wonderful interview. I want to read this book. :-)
Clean Slate made me cry like a little baby! Such a good book!
Mysteries are a must have in my life. This one sounds great.
Can’t wait to read her book. Thanks for this interview! Appreciate you, always.
Fascinating interview. This will be a new author for me.
I love f/f mysteries with romance. I listened to Rock and a Hard Place & Ladyfish.
I really enjoy your writing style. Great interview! Thanks to you both.
A great interview, I have not read any of her works. I’ll have to correct that.
Great interview 😃👍🏻
Loved the answer to this question: Since you are a mystery writer: How would you dispose of a dead body if you only had an hour to get rid of it? 😁👍🏻
I’m definitely going to read soon those I still have on my TBR list. I’m so thrilled 😊
Thank you both 🤗