Teresa grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries. She is a member of SinC, Short Mystery Fiction Society, and Virginia Writers Club.
She works for a global financial firm as an admin, notary administrator, and corporate reporter. When not writing, she displays her 1955 Ford Thunderbird at car shows.
Teresa resides in Southeastern Virginia with her husband A.J. and dog Luke, a mixed shepherd-lab.
Tell us a bit about your most recent work.
I am finishing edits on The Bride Arrived DOA, a catering hall mystery set in North Carolina's Outer Banks. Cass Kennedy inherits a motel from her estranged brother who died under mysterious circumstances. She investigates the events surrounding his death and discovers that her brother had promoted the motel as a top wedding venue, which was anything but.
What are the themes and subjects you tend to revisit in your work?
My southern coastal mysteries feature female protagonists who run their own businesses. Each protagonist conducts investigations outside of a typical office environment. These businesses include motels, beach shops, wine shops, dog walking and grooming services, wedding and event planning, and fabric stores among other enterprises.
What happened in your life that prompted you to become a writer?
I grew up reading Nancy Drew. Her adventures in her blue roadster motivated me to pursue a career as a mystery writer. Additionally, her influence contributed to my decision to purchase a 1955 Torch Red Thunderbird, which is displayed at car shows and during book signings that often generate fun discussions.
What inspires you to write?
My protagonists inspire me since I create strong female business owners capable of handling various challenges. I first determine the business that is owned by the protagonist, which influences the character, plot, and story. Suspense is then built, and villains are crafted for readers to engage with. Reader interest in mysteries provides additional inspiration as well.
What of your works has meant the most to you?
First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder is an all-female driven anthology that won two awards. The book features nineteen juicy tales of revenge, betrayal, bad breakups, bridezillas, and a few I dos and some I don’ts.
If you have any former project to do over to make it better, which one would it be, and what would you do?
I would expand my first short story I wrote many years ago to add the next phase of the main characters' lives, rather than leaving it unresolved.
What writers have influenced your style and technique?
Carolyn Keene pseudonym for Nancy Drew, Edgar Allan Poe, Agatha Christie, and several cozy mystery writers.
Where would you rank writing on the "Is it an art or it is a science continuum?" Why?
Writing is both an art and a science. The writing craft is the technical-science side while storytelling is the art side. Blending these two influences each other.
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What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
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Finding the time to write can be a challenge due to working full-time. I manage social media book promotion early in the morning before work, write in my car during lunch hours and in my home office during evenings and weekends.
How do your writer friends help you become a better writer? Or do they not?
Authors Allie Marie and Heather Weidner review my stories before I submit them to a publisher. Their edits focus on characters, plot, and setting to enhance the story flow and scene structure. I appreciate their help to improve the story.
What does literary success look like to you?
It is gratifying when someone I do not know purchases my books at signings and online. Having repeat readers buy my books during book launches means a lot.
Any other upcoming projects you would like to plug?
The Bride Arrived DOA will debut later this year. I also have two short stories coming out this year.
For more information, visit:
- www.teresainge.com
- and on all social media platforms
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