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Welcome to It's Raining Books. Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?
I absolutely love mysteries. Readers of mystery generally
fall into two categories – seekers and solvers. Seekers are reading the book
for entertainment, just along for the ride and not really trying to find the
killer or solve the puzzle before the end of the book. Solvers, however, are determined
to solve the mystery before the end of the book. The sooner the better. As a
mystery reader, I am a bigtime solver. I even tag pages with different colored
stickers where I think there is a pertinent clue or twist I might want to
return to as I work to solve the mystery. And this is why I write cozy
mysteries the way I do, because they provide an entertainment value that allows
the seeker to chuckle (and at times, laugh out loud) and let the story carry
them along, yet also provides the solver with a complex plot that can be solved
if they pay attention along the way. The clues are there, just not always
obvious.
What research (or world-building – for
fantasy/paranormal/Sci-fi) is required?
I research everything, and I mean, everything. No detail is
too small. For example, in my second book, Fire and Ice, I even
researched pre-1600s Atlantic hurricane seasons. I do this because I never
want someone coming up to me or leaving a comment that something I wrote isn’t
correct or possible or remotely feasible. That is my biggest fear every time
one of my books is released. So, in the very early stages of the plotting
process, I create a “Research” folder to hold all the articles, photos, maps,
and similar that I come across as I build out the plot in a document I call my
“blueprint.”
Some of this research never makes it into the plot or ends up just being
background info, and some of it forms the very basic building blocks of the
plot. I spend weeks and weeks researching as I lay out the story. For Lucky
Secrets, my research folder holds 169MB of data (97 files) plus a second
folder with 60MB of photos I used to help visualize the various rooms and
spaces of the El Sueño estate where the story is set. For Fire and Ice,
the research folder holds 396MB of data (I had a TON of planning to do for this
story – read the book and you’ll understand – I can’t say why without giving
some things away.)
Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.
Trust your instincts and believe in yourself.
Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits
or superstitions?
I play
music on a CD player when I’m working. When the music stops, I pick up the
remote and hit play. Again. And again. And… Yep, I’ll play the same CD
for days and usually weeks at a time. The only time I switch out CDs is when a
particular song starts playing in my head away from the office, or if I’m no
longer as productive with that CD. Then I’ll switch it out and start all over.
In fact, today I finally switched out Jet’s Rare Tracks for Eric
Clapton’s Unplugged. I played the Jets CD for easily a month. I suspect
I’ll switch Clapton on sometime in August. I’ve already hit the play button
twice while responding to these questions.
Are you a plotter or pantser?
I’m a hardcore
plotter. I began as a pantser, but after too many dead ends, I switched to detailed
plotting. My process starts with weeks of brainstorming and research—sometimes
months—then I create my detailed “blueprint” with plot points, subplots,
characters, and turning points mapped out to the percentage. I also build a
chapter layout and calendar timeline. The blueprint can run 50 pages before I
write a single word of the manuscript. Once the structure is in place, I write
quickly—sometimes up to 3,500 words a day.
Look to your right – what’s sitting there?
One of my two white boards on the wall. Beneath it is a desk
return connecting my corner computer table with the desk (it is a red-maple
desk unit that spans two walls and also includes a credenza). On the return is
a Mac laptop (I write on an all-in-one desktop on the corner computer table).
Anything new coming up from you? What?
I have several projects under different stages of
development. One is a YA book for boys that an agent has expressed an interest
in if I write a compelling story. Another is me spinning off my favorite
character in the Mauzzy & Me Mystery Series, Mrs. Majelski, into her own
mystery series. She’s a blast to write. Think of Elizabeth in Richard Osman’s The
Thursday Murder Club series, and then amp up her energy level. That’s Mrs. M.
I’m also working on Sara’s next adventure, which will have her hanging out a
shingle as a private investigator and opening a whole new world of fun, laughs,
and mysteries!
Do you have a question for our readers?
I have too many to ask. What makes for a compelling mystery?
Does there have to be a body? Can there be too much description of a scene
(building, room, space) or a character in a mystery? What’s more important –
great writing or a great plot?
College student Sara Donovan is in the homestretch of graduating when a mysterious package arrives with an invitation to an exclusive contest. One that will drastically change the winner’s life. Included are unsettling photographs from forgettable chapters in her life and a threatening note strongly suggesting she participate.
With no good options, Sara enters the contest and finds herself at a fabulous mansion up against eight formidable opponents, each with a dark secret and all racing to solve seven levels of riddles and puzzles.
After a contestant’s body is discovered, Sara contemplates dropping out when another package arrives, its chilling contents making clear she’s at the center of a dangerous game with deadly consequences if she quits. But what it doesn’t say is—what happens if she wins?
Read an Excerpt
Karsh Azarian’s pretentious voice came from the end of the table. “It would appear I am now the only courageous one going it alone.” He held a glass of red wine aloft in our direction, a smug grin splashed across his stupid goateed face. “As it should be, I suppose. Fair play and what not.”
Across from me and next to Olivia Fantucci, Scooter Jablonsky’s attention bounced between Karsh, Jimmy, and I. Then he pointed with his half-full drink glass toward Frederick Volkov and Rod Toft, who were seated on our side of the table to Azarian’s right. “Hey, Freddie boy, y’all been quiet tonight. Whatsa matter, your contest off like a herd of turtles?”
Volkov fixed his hound-dog eyes on Scooter. “Quite the contrary, Burl. Tell me, have you and Spencer made it out of your rooms yet, or are you still wrasslin’ with that devilish first clue?” Volkov finished with an amused laugh and clinked glasses with Toft. “Cheers, my friend.”
Scooter was about to blow when Spencer Fernsby inserted himself in the conversation. “Frederick, throughout my career, I have seen your kind come and go. Usually to prison for insider trading and fraud, I might add.” He raised a water glass to his lips. “My goodness, it would be quite difficult to win the contest from a jail cell, don’t you think?”
Volkov jumped to his feet. Even from my vantage point, I could see the blue vein throbbing in his forehead. “Are you threatening me, Fernsby?”
Fernsby smiled warmly, a contrast to his suddenly stone-cold blue-gray eyes. “That certainly wasn’t my intention. My respectful apologies.”
Jimmy whispered in my ear, “The plot thickens.”
About the Author: B.T. Polcari is a graduate of Rutgers College of Rutgers University, an award-winning mystery author, and a proud father of two wonderful children. He’s a champion of rescue pups (Mauzzy is a rescue), craves watching football and basketball, and, of course, loves reading mysteries. Among his favorite authors are Richard Osman, D.P. Lyle, Frederick Forsyth, and Michael Connelly. He is also an unapologetic fantasy football addict. He lives with his wife in scenic Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Website:
http://www.btpolcari.com/
Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/btpolcari
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/btpolcari/
X (Twitter):
https://x.com/btpolcari
Goodreads Profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/btpolcari
Signed Copies:
http://www.btpolcari.com
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Secrets-Mauzzy-Me-Mystery/dp/1509261427/ref=sr_1_1
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/lucky-secrets/id6744645288
Barnes & Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lucky-secrets-b-t-polcari/1147214891
Bookshop.org:
https://bookshop.org/p/books/lucky-secrets/41569b963e658847
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