Veronica Blackstone sits down for a question-and-answer session with dru’s book musings so that we, the readers, can get to know her better. Are you ready? Veronica, take it away!
What is your full name?
Veronica Blackstone
How old are you?
I’m in my late early thirties.
What is your profession?
I suppose my title is writer. I wrote a mystery called The Girl With the Golden Throat, featuring my detective Derek Streeter. It did quite well, but when it came to writing another book. . .A hard copy of the first couple of chapters taunts me from a shelf in my office.
I might have trouble writing for myself, but I have no problem writing for others. So, I’m a writer for hire which means I have pen, will travel, though these days it’s more have keyboard, will travel. I write whatever my clients need whether it’s describing flavors of ice cream, biographies, love letters, promotional material and more. As long as it’s legal, I’ll find the words. I also run a writers’ group that meets in my dining room.
Do you have a significant other?
At the moment no. I had a short bad marriage when I was young and it left me hesitant to get too serious with anyone. There is Ben Monroe. He’s in my writers’ group and we’re kind of friends with no benefits.
What is their name and profession?
Ben is a cop, but then he really isn’t my significant other.
Do you have any children?
No.
Do you have any siblings?
No. I’m an only child.
Are your parents nearby?
My parents are both deceased. My mother died when I was ten and my father when I was in my twenties. I miss them both.
Who is your best friend?
I have become friends with the people in my writers’ group, but I suppose my downstairs neighbor is my best friend. Her name is Sara and she’s Ben Monroe’s sister. She’s married to a taciturn pharmacist and has a toddler. We’re both about the same age, but at different places in our lives. Oh, and she’s desperately trying to push Ben and me together.
Do you have any pets?
I have a cat named Rocky. In addition to the writing I do for pay, I do some pro bono work for a pet store that brings in dogs and cats from shelters looking for forever homes. I write up personality pieces hoping to tug on the heart strings of people who come by. I guess you could say that I do a good job of it because the piece I wrote about Rocky really did a number on my heart strings. He’s an older cat which meant his chances of getting adopted weren’t good. And then there was that way he looked at me and held out his paw as if to say take me I’m yours.
What town do you live in?
I live on the south side of Chicago in a neighborhood called Hyde Park. The University of Chicago has their main campus in the neighborhood and some people say it’s like a small town within the city. Another claim to fame—the Obamas are neighborhood people, though these days not so much.
Do you live in a small town or a big city?
I think I covered that above.
Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
I live in a vintage three-story walk-up. That’s a nice way of saying old, like over a hundred years old. It’s a condo which sounds rather modern for such an old building. It’s the place where I grew up and I inherited it when my father died. There are lots of reminders of times gone by like the gas pipes in the ceiling left from the days of gas lamps. Of course, the gas was shut off long ago.
What is your favorite spot in your home?
The living room is my favorite. It has windows that look out on the tree lined street. It’s filled with color from the art work and warm toned rugs. A door leads out to a balcony which is a nice place to catch a breeze on a summer night.
Favorite meal and dessert?
Here’s the thing—I’m a vegetarian. People always ask me what I eat. It’s pretty simple—I eat everything but meat, fish or fowl. My neighbor Sara is worried that I don’t eat right, or that’s what she says. She sends her brother up with plates of leftovers all the time. Both Ben and I know it’s a set-up. She’s a great cook, so I’m not complaining.
Do you have any hobbies?
I find crochet relaxing. I have settled on making squares with different yarn and different stitches and when I have enough, I sew them together in a blanket. The very first one I made is hanging in my living room now. My father had it hanging in his office and always bragged that I’d made it.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
We used to go to a spot in Indiana that had purple flowers that smelled like peanut butter. I loved going there.
What music do you listen to?
I like 80s music.
Do you have a favorite book?
Not really.
What is your idea of a really fun time?
I did really like going to a dance gym when I was writing about the classes. I got pretty good at the shuffle ball change.
If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
What else – Have Pen, Will Travel.
Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
I’m strictly amateur though since Ben is a cop, he does offer some advice.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
See below
What is a typical day when you are on a case?
I know everybody does everything online now, but I like meeting my clients in person. I also like to go over my work with them to see if I need changes. I also like to write about what I know. In other words, I get too involved with my clients’ lives. My days are spent with my clients and then with my computer.
Writing A Wrong, A Writer for Hire Mystery #2
Genre: Cozy
Release: September 2021
Purchase Link
Writer for Hire Veronica Blackstone’s latest client is found dead and police suspect a burglary gone wrong, but Veronica isn’t convinced in this intriguingly plotted mystery.
As a writer for hire, Veronica Blackstone puts her keyboard to use to help others. That includes writing advertising copy for local businesses, and love letters for those needing romantic help. Tony Richards needs the latter.
Debonair, charismatic, handsome, Tony seems like the last person who’d need help with love letters, but help him Veronica does . . . only, Tony owes her money and won’t tell her anything about the woman she’s writing the love letters for. That’s not how Veronica normally works.
When Tony is found dead, his real name is revealed as Ted Roberts. The police think his death was part of a burglary gone wrong, but Veronica isn’t convinced. Why did he lie about his name? Who were the love letters for? And could they hold the key to his death?
About the author
Despite completing a Fine Arts degree, all Betty Hechtman ever wanted to be was a writer. She wrote a weekly column in college newspaper and later wrote magazine and newspaper pieces, along with short stories and a prize-winning screenplay. She has had over 20 books published across two cozy mystery series centered on yarn craft. She lives with her family in Southern California. Facebook at Betty Hechtman Author and website at bettyhechtman.com
All comments are welcomed.
Thanks Betty and Veronica