Jenn McKinlay: I've known today's guest for years. We burst onto the traditional mystery scene at the same time (we were children) and it's been a blast meeting up with her over the years to talk shop and swap stories. Her latest creation is indeed magical and here she is to tell you all about it.
So when is it easy? When does writing feel magical and effortless?
If I’m honest, starting a paranormal cozy mystery is when writing became magical for me. I was absolutely delighted to sit down and commune with the fairies that populate my stories. Oh, sure, I liked the humans, too. I adored my protagonist, Courtney Kelly, the owner of Open Your Imagination, but the fairies drew me in. I wanted to live in their world. I wanted to flit and flutter as they do. Oh, how I wish I could do a loop the loop in the air. However, even if I can’t do what they can, I can dream about their exploits when I write. Crafting their thoughts and actions brings me joy.
One of the other delights regarding writing about a fairy garden shop owner is I get to talk about how to make the gardens and how much creativity goes into the process. What is a fairy garden? It’s like doll-housing for your garden, consisting of whimsical stories made up of plants—living or faux—and decked out with fairy figurines and structures like fairy houses or castles or huts, as well as swings and slides and whatever suits your fancy.
To make sure I had a firm grasp on the art, I decided I needed to make fairy gardens. I used to adore doing heavy-lifting gardening, but those days have passed. My shoulders and elbows and back just won’t cooperate. Before making my first fairy garden, I did a lot of research. And then I jumped in.
Whenever I do, I find my mood lightening.
Another magical thing about writing this particular series is delving into the fairy mindset. I wanted to learn their language and discover what skills they might have. They’re very good at photosynthesis, by the way. They do have ESP, if utilized properly. They can learn spells, but they can’t do wicked spells. That’s a no-no.
Wouldn’t it be fun to have those gifts?
Lastly, I decided to add fairy poetry at the beginning of each chapter. I’ve had such fun finding poetry written through the ages by Shakespeare, Tennyson, Yeats, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Rose Fyleman, and Cecily Mary Barker.
Hans Christian Anderson wrote, “Life is the most wonderful fairytale.” That about sums it up for me. When writing this series, life is almost magical.
What about you, Reds and Readers, what inspires magic in your life?
What’s it about?
A FLICKER OF A DOUBT
With a theater foundation tea and an art show planned at Violet Vickers’s estate, Courtney is hired to create charming fairy gardens for the event. It’s not so charming, however, when her best friend Meaghan’s ex-boyfriend turns out to be Violet’s latest artistic protégé. Even worse, not long after Meaghan locks horns with him, his body is found in her yard, bludgeoned with an objet d’murder.
There’s a gallery of suspects, from an unstable former flame to an arts and crafts teacher with a sketchy past. But when the cops focus on Meaghan’s business partner, who’s like a protective older brother to her, and discover he also has a secret financial motive, Courtney decides to draw her own conclusions. Fearing they’re missing the forest for the trees, and with some help from Fiona the sleuthing fairy, she hopes to make them see the light . . .
“Plenty of suspects, gardening tips, and fairy lore combine for a sweet treat.” ~ Kirkus Reviews
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BIO: Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber is best known for her nationally bestselling mysteries, including the Fairy Garden Mysteries, Cookbook Nook Mysteries, and French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes suspense novels and short stories. Fun Tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, fairy garden, and read. She has a frisky Goldendoodle who keeps her in line. And she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You can learn more on her website: httsp://darylwoodgerber.com
WEBSITE: https://darylwoodgerber.com
FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/darylwoodgerber
BOOKBUB: https://bookbub.com/authors/daryl-wood-gerber
YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/woodgerb1
INSTAGRAM: https//instagram.com/darylwoodgerber
GOODREADS: https://goodreads.com/darylwoodgerber
AMAZON: amazon: https://bit.ly/Daryl_Wood_Gerber_page
NEWSLETTER: https://darylwoodgerber.com/contact-media/
Congratulations on your newest book, Daryl . . . it sounds delightful. And visiting with the fairies is always a special treat.
ReplyDeleteI do believe it's my grandchildren that inspire magic in my life . . . .
Joan, I'd agree that grandchildren have a special place in every grandmother's heart. Their joy is so special. And their laughter? Amazing!
DeleteWell, that above comment didn't grab everything. Ha! Amazing the internet works at all. I finished my post with "Fairy best wishes, Daryl" :)
DeleteWaving a big hi to Daryl! Fairy gardens - how delightful. I was enchanted with fairies as a child.
ReplyDeleteFor me now the magic comes when my characters surprise me - when I have to keep writing to find out why they did what they just did. Plus, as Joan says, the little children in my life.
Edith, hello! Oh, yes, how our characters like to surprise us! For sure. Hugs, Daryl
DeleteI need to meet Fiona the sleuthing fairy! Her kind of magic is just what I need.
ReplyDeleteFor a while, during the earlier days of the lockdown-pandemic, I would put a group of little figurines into some kind of fun pose or situation somewhere in my front yard and post a pic to my workmates' morning online chat. I was always pleased when nonsense would ensue in the conversation about what "Amanda's little beings" were up to. Magical fun is so important.
Oh, Amanda, that is such a sweet story. Your little beings were keeping watch over you. Love it. ~ Daryl
DeleteDARYL: I have enjoyed reading all the Fairy Garden mysteries, including A FLICKER OF A DOUBT.
ReplyDeleteI am happy that Fiona is making progress and that Courtney & her father worked on the same property in this book.
Grace, you are so sweet. I'm glad you're enjoying their journey. I'd like to say I planned every aspect of it, but it is unfolding as I write every book. Fiona is surprising even me. ~ Daryl
DeleteWelcome Daryl! You're so smart to design a series that's fun for you to write and brings your readers joy too! At the end of our road in CT, someone designed an elaborate fairy house and garden for passersby to enjoy. Our grandchildren loved it though they were suspicious about it being real fairies. They will be disappointed this year to find it gone!
ReplyDeleteLucy, just tell them that the fairies had another mission to carry out so they had to move along. They knew your grandchildren were in good hands with you. The magic is you can also make it magical. ~ Daryl
DeleteDaryl: Sounds like such a fun mystery series. I look forward to it. In your bio you mentioned you had a part in Murder She Wrote - did you meet Angela Landsbury?
ReplyDeleteYes, my scene was specifically with her, and she was amazing. So giving and attentive. No ego. She was a consummate actress and such a lady! She will be sorely missed. ~ Daryl
DeleteCongrats on the new book! Been looking forward to it, as I have with all your others.
ReplyDeleteAlicia, thank you so much. Enjoy the story. ~ Daryl
DeleteOur first grandchild was a boy. When he was about 3 the pirates invaded. They would land in the night just after the child came to visit, hijack the flag and raise theirs, and hide treasure and coins all over the place. Meanwhile, on a lane near them…
ReplyDeleteThe fairies arrived (so did a girl grandchild). They took over a lot of real estate, paid the rent and stayed! In and out of the trees they built their homes. Some were low under the roots, some were higher up, and some even took over old bird’s nests. The area was open to all – fairies, gnomes, elves, even raccoons and bunnies. Then…
The place was invaded with dinosaurs, and Storm Troopers. Even Ewoks turned up. There had to be electric fencing put up to protect the fairies from the dinosaurs. Unfortunately, the Storm Troopers sometimes let the dinosaurs escape. It meant that the place was always under construction rebuilding the destruction. (So did a construction-crazy grandchild). The place was invaded by yellow construction vehicles. The raccoons went on strike….
Last September Fiona the hurricane came. Fairy Lane was devastated. Trees came down and went awry. Homes were destroyed. Spring should bring revitalization. The kids are coming for Easter! For my husband and the kids, it is always a work in progress…
Congratulations on your book. Maybe you should consider adding some dinosaurs – just an idea!
I love this!
DeleteI wish I'd had your imagination when my nephews were young, Margo!
DeleteWOW, Margo. That is just amazing!
DeleteWow, Margo, just wow! That is amazing and how creative. I love when kids get involved and create their own stories. I was always devising stories as a girl. Where we went for summer vacations, there was a grouping of huge boulders in the lake. My sisters and I were all mermaids and made up stories from morning to night about our adventures. BTW, I'll consider the dinosaurs! ~ Daryl
DeleteHi Daryl! Congratulations on more fairy magic! Magic for me is being transported through time and space by books.
ReplyDeletePat, no question about it. Reading is magical. ~ Daryl
DeleteDaryl, a bit of fairy magic is what I need about now! I'll be checking out this series, for sure. Magic for me is either of my youngest nephews playing music, but especially when they play together. Pure magic!
ReplyDeleteFlora, my grandsons play the piano and it is truly magical. I am brought to tears most often, especially when they play a duet for me that they worked on as a Christmas present. I'm tearing up even now. ~ Daryl
DeleteWhat lovely little gardens, Daryl. If only I didn't have brown thumbs.
ReplyDeleteAha, Liz, you don't have to have a green thumb. It is perfectly acceptable to use "faux" plants for a garden. Or all you need is the base of a tree. No planting involved. Just your imagination. ~ Daryl
DeleteDaryl, congratulations on your latest book and on this fun series. Everyone needs a little magic in their lives!
ReplyDeleteJudy, thanks for the congrats. I agree that everyone could use a little magic. Not everyone is open to it, however. You've got to have an open heart. ~ Daryl
DeleteCompletely different topic, sorry, Jenn, but I remember reading that lots of people who comment here are using artificial tears. PLEASE, please check to be sure that the products you have are not a part of a recent recall that has proven deadly in some cases and debilitating/blinding in many others. Check your packages. Toss suspicious packages in garbage! (Sorry, but I love you guys.)
ReplyDeleteNo worries. Thanks for the heads up, Judy.
DeleteYour fairy gardens are gorgeous, Daryl. Congratulations on the series!
ReplyDeleteKait, thank you so much. I have such a good time making them, and my grandchildren delight in finding new ones with new stories. ~ Daryl
DeleteThank you so much for hitting us with your magical fairy dust, Daryl. Your post made me smile and I needed that!
ReplyDeleteJenn, thank you for having me on the blog. I always love the readers and comments. They're so engaging! :) XO ~ Daryl
DeleteDaryl, your fairy gardens are brilliant! Now I'm sure I need a fairy garden in my life--and my seven-year-old granddaughter would love it, too! Congrats on the new book!
ReplyDeleteDeborah, thanks for the compliment. I hope you will try your hand at one, and yes, your granddaughter will adore it. I have only grand-boys, but even they enjoy them. :) ~ Daryl
DeleteLove the photos of your fairy gardens. Love your fairy gardens novels! And congratulations on your book launch!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree with HCA that life is a fairytale. At University, there was a Scandinavian literature class about Hans Christian Andersen.
As a young child, there was a place for children and I think it is still there. We would go to the Children's Fairyland and it was magical.
What inspires magic for me? Believe it or not, reading a story inspires magic for me. Amazing how reading inspires my imagination of the story. Seeing the sky change from clouds to sunshine one minute then back to clouds the next minute is like magic to me. Seeing beautiful flowers is magic. Being able to text my relatives and friends on the mobile phone is magic. Moving pictures is magic.
Diana
Diana, you are so right on so many fronts. There is a lot of magic everywhere in this world. The internet? It's amazing it works at all. A computer? Who'd have thunk!!! Reading is definitely a magical place, and I love immersing myself in books, too. A Children's Fairyland sounds incredible! ~ Daryl
DeleteThis is..fantastic! Gasp-worthy! Your imagination has definitely locked in with..something special. Wonderful. How do you know when you have the garden...finished? (or is that just the beginning?) And how do they stay small?
ReplyDeleteHank, that's such a great question. My gardens are sized appropriately for the pots. I've even made a teacup garden! It's pretty teensy. But I made a garden village in the nook outside my office, too, and I'm always tweaking it. I think, like writing a book, it's finished when it's finished. Of course, if the garden is outdoors, it might need refreshing. The sun damages the colors of the figurines. So I paint and remove leaves and, well . . . it's miniature gardening, and I've always loved to garden. ~ Hugs, Daryl
DeleteOh, I just love this, Daryl! My children used to make fairy gardens in our back acre and when we went on hikes and to parks. The rule was: all natural materials, arranged in ways the fairies might like. Big plus points if you could find a mushroom to build around! I've always encouraged their belief in the magical and extraordinary - given the choice, why not believe in fairies?
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to say, as someone whose back complains mightily when I garden, those adorable dish gardens, complete with tiny fences and figures, are definitely calling to me. :-)
Julia, that's one of the main reasons I got into this. I couldn't do the heavy-lifting gardening any longer and I missed it. These miniature sizes are not only better for the "back" and ailments, but they're less time consuming. There is some weeding required LOL but certainly not as much as a big garden. I love your comment, "Why not believe in fairies?" I know, right? I do! ~ Daryl
DeleteIt's so great to hear how much you are enjoying this series.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark. I truly am. Every time I lose myself in the writing, it's a joy! I think it's the fairy dust. In fact, I'm certain it is. ~ Daryl
DeleteDaryl, I have enjoyed your other series so now I’m going to have to explore your Fairy books! Thanks for your blog today because I don’t know if fairies would normally be my cup of tea. But now I know I can make a teacup garden to invite them in! Congratulations on your new book. — Pat S.
ReplyDeletePat, I do hope you'll try them out. I know that "magical" stories aren't everyone's, um, cup of tea (tee-hee), but if you read about witches, ghosts, and magical cats, you might enjoy a fairy sleuth sidekick. Who knows? Maybe this will invite a little fresh magic into your life. Enjoy. ~ Daryl
DeleteThis was just amazing. I've never heard of fairy gardens like the ones you describe. What a charming idea to make them part of a mystery solving team. Congratulations on your new book.
ReplyDeleteOh, Elizabeth, I'm so happy to open you to a whole new world of fun! Enjoy! ~ Daryl
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