Why do you write the genre that you write?
As far as mysteries, I like settling chaos, making the bad guy get his comeuppance, and the main character’s friendships.

As far as women’s fiction, I like the journey and growth. I like seeing a character learn about themselves and grow stronger in doing so.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
I’m not really sure how to answer this. It’s fun to have small quirks, in my opinion, but not so over the top the character becomes a caricature. I want my characters to be fun, but relatable first and foremost.

How did you come up with your pseudonym?
Only one of my series (The Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries) is under a pseudonym (Elizabeth Lynn Casey). I picked that name as it’s a nod to both my daughters as well as my grandparents.

Tell us how you got into writing?
I’ve wanted to write since I was 10 after making children’s storybooks at a friend’s house one weekend. I fell in love with everything about it, and it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do/be, career-wise, since.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
Before I started writing fiction, I held news, feature, and lifestyle editor jobs at various papers in South Carolina, Alabama, and Missouri. Since, I’ve also worked at Borders, taught basics of fiction writing at a community college, freelanced for home builders, and so on…

Where do you write?
After many years of writing in a corner of my living room couch, I now have an office I adore. While writing, I have a view of a lake, and I have built-in bookshelves filled with memories from my writing career.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
Candy corn and a glass of milk.

Who is an author you admire?
I admire the now-deceased Mary Higgins Clark. She was generous with her time, an amazing storyteller, and she wrote gripping stories she wouldn’t have been ashamed to have “her grandmother read.”

What’s your favorite genre to read?
Women’s fiction and Suspense.

What are you reading now?
When I’m actively writing, I tend not to read. Between projects, though, reading is top on my list of things to do. The most recent book I read was, The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick.

What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
Water. LOL.

What is next for you?
I’m writing a book for one of Guidepost’s continuity series right now.

Where can we find you?
You can find me on my Facebook author page: Laura Bradford, Author | Facebook
On Instagram: Laura Bradford (@laurabradfordauthor) • Instagram photos and videos
And my website: laurabradford.com

Now to have some fun . . .

Chocolate or vanilla:
If we’re talking ice cream? Vanilla.

Cake or ice cream:
Not sure why this has to be a choice???

Fruits or vegetables:
Anyone who knows me is laughing at this question. My gut, of course, is to say neither. But if I can put it in a smoothie and not think about what it is, I’ll take fruits.

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner:
Lunch.

Dining in or dining out:
I’d say dining in if I didn’t have to clean up.

City life or country living:
Country.

Beach or mountain:
Beach.

Summer or winter:
Summer.

Short story or full-length novel:
Full-length

Extrovert or introvert:
Without a doubt, introvert.

Early bird or night owl:
Early bird.

And even more fun . . .

What’s your favorite movie?
Oh. Wow. I think I’ll go with 27 Dresses. Cute story and it has James Marsden (*swoon*).

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
Assuming we’re talking things and not people, I’ll go with:
1) Some sort of music source.
2) Books
3) Pictures of all the amazing people I’ve been richly blessed with in my life.

My bio:
Laura Bradford is the USA Today Bestselling author of over 35 books.

In the area of women’s fiction, her novels have garnered book club picks from Delilah of Delilah radio and Southern Lady Magazine.

In mystery, her most prolific of areas, Laura has penned many series including: A Friend for Hire Mysteries, An Amish Mystery series, the Emergency Dessert Squad Mysteries, the Tobi Tobias Mysteries, the Jenkins & Burns Mysteries, and the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries (written as Elizabeth Lynn Casey). She is a former Agatha Award nominee, and the recipient of an RT Reviewer’s Choice Award in romance. Laura enjoys spending time with her family, baking, and being an advocate for those living with multiple sclerosis. Learn more at: laurabradford.com.