Why do you write the genre that you write?
Though mysteries are often thought of as plot-driven stories, to me it’s all about the characters. I write cozy mysteries because I love stories that feature smart, resourceful, and courageous women. It’s fun for me to virtually play the heroines as they cleverly collect clues, nail the killers, and serve the cause of justice. I also like that cozies aren’t excessively gruesome or violent. I don’t have a stomach for torture and gore.

Tell us how you got into writing?
When I was young, I enjoyed acting out stories with my Barbie dolls. I always loved my English classes in school, and enjoyed the writing assignments. I played around with writing song lyrics when I was in junior high. After many busy years away from creative writing, I longed to get back into it and constantly found characters and stories going through my mind. Once my kids started school, I signed up for a non-credit creative writing class at the local college. I met a group of other writers, and we started a weekly critique group. I then joined local chapters of writers’ organizations, and things blossomed from there.

What’s next for you?
I’m launching two new series this year, the Southern Homebrew moonshine mystery series and the Mountain Lodge Mysteries. The moonshine series is set in Chattanooga, which is one of my favorite vacation spots. It’s a charming city with lots of natural beauty, including the Tennessee River, the Smoky Mountains, and its well-known tourist attraction Rock City. The mountain lodge series will be set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina, which is another favorite vacation spot for me. I love to be outside and the area offers things to do in all seasons, from hiking to river rafting to ice skating and skiing. It’ll be fun to highlight the places and things I love about the area in my stories.

What are you reading now?
Reckless by Selena Montgomery, which is the pseudonym of Stacey Abrams. When I learned that this very accomplished woman is also a romance author, I put her books on my Christmas wish list. I’m only a few pages in, but loving it! I find romance is a nice counter-balance to read between mysteries.

Where can we find you?
I’m online at my website at dianekelly.com, on Twitter @DianeKellyBooks and Instagram at @DianeKellyBooks, and on Facebook at my Author Diane Kelly page. In real life, if the weather is good, you’ll find me outside writing on my deck surrounded by my dogs. If the weather is bad, you’ll find me inside surrounded by my cats in my office while the dogs chill out in the living room.

Now to have some fun . . .

Vanilla or chocolate
Vanilla, especially things made with Mexican vanilla. It’s the best! I love sugar cookies and cupcakes with vanilla frosting.

Pizza or burgers
Pizza! My favorite is thin crust, loaded with mushrooms and black olives.

Broccoli or squash
Broccoli, preferably roasted with a touch of garlic.

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Breakfast, for sure, and a big one at that. I especially love a southern breakfast with hash browns, grits, and biscuits and gravy – the carb and grease special.

Mountain or beach
Mountains. While the beach is lots of fun, too, the mountains seem to offer more to do year-round, and I like the peace and solitude.

Introvert or Extrovert
I’m on the cusp, but the older I get the more introverted I realize I am. I enjoy people, but mostly in small, intimate groups where we can have interesting conversations rather than large, loud parties with mere small talk.

My Bio:
Diane Kelly is a former assistant state attorney general and tax advisor who spent much of her career fighting, or unknowingly working for, white-collar criminals. Realizing her experiences made great fodder for novels, she put her fingers to her keyboard and began her writing career. Diane writes funny mysteries that feature feisty female lead characters and their furry, four-footed friends. Diane is the author of over 30 novels and novellas, including the Death & Taxes, Paw Enforcement, and House Flipper mystery series. Look for her Southern Homebrew moonshine mystery series and her Mountain Lodge mystery series coming soon!