Now it’s time to learn more about the authors we read. . .
What drew you to the genre you write?
I love mental puzzles and riddles that require me to decipher the underlying code or unravel the meaning. So when I decided to try my hand at writing fiction, the idea of creating a novel with twists and turns, red herrings, and clues that could lead the reader to the conclusion before the heroine seemed the perfect choice for me.
How did you come up with your pseudonym?
I’d hope to use a family name, but after trying multiple options, I found the URLs weren’t available, or there were already authors with confusingly similar names. I thought about the beach where I grew up, and remembered as a kid always bugging my dad to buy us some saltwater taffy. That gave me the idea for the name of the beach in the books where the lighthouse stands. It’s visible from downtown Manatee Bay, a stalwart beacon of peace and hope for my heroine, Kate. Once I realized it signified something of such importance to her, it seemed only right to also take it as my pen name.
Tell us how you got into writing?
I have a wild imagination, and I enjoy taking it out for a spin as often as possible. I always loved reading, especially any genre where the author creates a world where I can dive in and take a mental holiday. When my life recently began to allow me the free time to try my hand at a creative endeavor, writing about a fictional town and offering the reader a mental puzzle to solve seemed perfect for me.
What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
I spent decades as a financial analyst for global conglomerates. Initially a consultant, I eventually took a position with one of my larger clients. The job took me around the world, which at first was exciting. Over time, the long-haul travel became mundane, and the projects started to feel redundant. I found myself longing for a creative outlet, and decided to try my hand at a fiction writing career.
How many books do you have published?
The Manatee Bay Cozy Mystery series will be my first fiction publication. I wrote a financial industry textbook centuries ago, and later co-edited/authored a nonfiction analysis of an emerging technology field.
Where do you write?
I can often be found upstairs in my little waterfront condo, snuggled down onto a comfy couch that faces a bank of floor-to-ceiling windows—usually with Edgar trying to sleep with his head on my laptop.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
Traditional mysteries, with an occasional fantasy thrown in. I adore dragons.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
I have a somewhat ditzy, upbeat personality, but the way I run my life is very orderly and disciplined. I laugh a lot, but I’m actually quite goal-oriented and driven when I decide to pursue something.
Who is an author you admire?
Agatha Christie was amazing with both her original ideas and her work ethic. I’ve also been a Poe fan since I was in grade school and have to thank him for kickstarting the entire mystery genre. Nowadays, I enjoy reading Carl Hiaasen, and have recently found Benjamin Stevenson—humorous murder detection stories are fun! To step outside the world of mysteries, I savor all of Sarah Addison Allen’s work, particularly her novel Other Birds, a whimsical tribute to odd people.
Have you any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?
Write what you love to read, and try to find a community of others who also enjoy the same sorts of books. Take a long walk outside somewhere inspiring, and talk to yourself, but never let another walker hear you say things like “Who should I kill this time?” Get the words on the page—once you have a first draft is when the real fun begins, but you have to get over the idea that your early words need to be perfect. You’ll change them, no doubt, so use them as inspiration for the later words and embellishments that will come. And if after a day of rewriting you find yourself up at night, too excited to sleep, that’s when you know you’re on the right track. And what fun that is!
What is next for you?
The Manatee Bay Cozy Mystery series was originally written as a six-book work because I needed enough books to slowly feed the reader the story arc of Kate’s family and what happened in previous generations that is influencing what goes on in her current world. Though I’m about to release book one, Tides, Lies, and Alibis, I have already finished books two, three and four. The next step is to take the outlines for books five and six and complete the series. And my brain has already cooked up a couple of ideas for a seventh book, and maybe even an eighth. I also find myself toying with the idea of a sequel that follows the younger generation in this series as they become adults and get into their own mischief. It seems I may not be able to ever leave Manatee Bay, and as long as I am enjoying the writing process, and people are interested in more stories from this wacky little beach town, that’s fine with me!
Where can we find you?
On my website at www.taffybeach.com, on Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon author page, Instagram, or Threads. I can also be reached by email at taffybeachbooks@gmail.com.
Now to have some fun . . .
Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Oh, definitely lunch! I love the food, and often meet friends during midday at one of the little local dives. And at noon, you can eat heartily and promise yourself to walk off all the calories!
Fruits or vegetables
I love both, but I’m one of those oddballs who loves a huge kale salad with all sorts of veggies, fruits, and nuts piled on top. And some fresh seafood when it’s available.
Sweet or salty snacks
Salty, can’t get enough!
Ice cream or cake
Can I have both, please? Dark chocolate fudge cake with French vanilla ice cream on top?
Cooking or baking
Cooking, and picking up something yummy, like one of Cindy’s Immaculate Confection strawberry cream puffs from the High Tides Bakery.
Dining in or dining out
I love dining out, especially at one of the informal little waterfront places in my town. Great atmosphere, and in a small town you invariably run into friends you know to visit with. It’s eating, and connecting, and enjoying beautiful views all wrapped up together.
City life or country living
I’m a small-town lover at heart, though I’ve lived downtown in a few big cities, and when I was young found that very exciting. I also enjoyed camping when I was a kid, and still love driving through beautiful natural countryside. My ideal home is near enough to a large city for the occasional night at the theatre or a flight to a holiday destination, but in a small, safe, walkable town that is also just a short car ride away from beautiful countryside.
Beach or mountain
Beach, of course!
Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall
Autumn has always been my favorite time of year.
Extrovert or introvert
I’m one of those strange extroverts who thrills to one-on-one conversations and meeting new people in a crowded room, but also needs plenty of time alone to dream and create.
And even more fun . . .
What is your favorite movie?
Fried Green Tomatoes pops into my mind. It quietly presents a life perspective on female strength, aging, and tolerance that is subtle, gentle, and loving. And of course, Towanda rules!
You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
I don’t suppose a laptop is possible, huh? And I’m guessing you don’t mean things like food and water? Okay, so an animal companion, a solar-activated electronic writing tablet, and a handsome genie in a bottle.
My bio:
Taffy Beach spent the bulk of her adult life in a small Florida Gulf town, a setting that continues to inspire the breezy atmosphere of her stories. While she promises that the eccentric inhabitants of Manatee Bay are entirely fictional, she has one very real-life character inspiration.
The role of Edgar is closely modeled after Taffy’s own companion, a wise old tuxedo kitty who has provided valuable input and constant support throughout the writing of the series.
When she isn’t plotting twists or dreaming of new mysteries, Taffy is usually found with knitting needles or a crochet hook in hand. She spends her free time creating handmade pet toys, beds, and blankets to donate to local shelters, hoping to bring a little extra comfort to animals waiting for their forever homes.