CeeCee James
Seattle, Washington
USA
Good morning, CeeCee, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the place for art and books and the people who love them. What have you written?
Oh what a fun question! I’ve written so much. Poetry, children’s stories (all for my kids) Sweet Romance, my Memoir (Won best 2016 best memoir of the summer), and Cozy Mysteries!
What is your favorite genre to write?
I love to tell stories, first and foremost. I love my characters—learning all about them and watching the grow. Cozy mystery is a terrific genre because I get all that fun mystery and character development.
Here are my series—
Flamingo Realty Mysteries—Set in Pennsylvania, these follow the crazy adventures of Stella O’Neil.
Baker Street Mysteries—Georgie Tanner is a tour guide to all the American Revolutionary sites. She often discovers more than she bargained for.
Angel Lake Cozy Mysteries—Elise Pepper returns to her small hometown after a life as a former socialite.
Circus Cozy Mysteries—Trixie, World’s Smallest Lady Godiva, with the biggest heart.
Oceanside Cozy Mysteries—Maisie Swenson is manager to the famed five-star Oceanside hotel.
I LOVE the covers of your Angel Lake Mystery series. They are gorgeous. I am reading The Sweet Taste of Murder now. Fantastic! Okay, back to the interview.
Favorite food.
One? AH! I’m terrible at making choices. I love barbecue (meat, shrimp, corn, veggie skewers) and freshly-made bread. Mmmm
Tea or coffee?
Coffee. It’s how I wake up. Although, there are a few teas I really enjoy. Mint and fruit flavors especially.
Pizza or ice cream?
I love both! Sadly, I am allergic to milk, and really had to cut it out as I hit my 30’s. But I’ve found some decent non-dairy pizzas and ice cream as well.
Wine or beer?
Yikes. I’m realizing that I like pretty much everything. But for wine- it needs to be sweet. And for beer, it has to be light. Some people don’t think light beer counts as beer, so that would make wine the winner. LOL
Where would you like to visit?
I’d love to visit Alaska and see the blue of the glaciers myself. I’d also love to go to Florida. And Maine! I’ve been all over the US, except for the far corners.
Favorite musical artist.
Now, you’re asking the impossible. That’s like asking what my favorite book is. (scrolls down the list of questions…oh dear)
Do you listen to music when you write?
Music is always going softly in the background.
What?
Usually it’s turned to a Christian radio channel.
What makes you laugh?
So many things! My mini-dachshunds, for one. They’re little clowns, and where I get all the goofy antics for my dogs in my books.
We recently lost our mini-dachshund after eighteen years, so I know what you mean. They are little characters, balls of love and comic escapades.
This is an art and author blog, so I am obliged to ask: Favorite work of art or sculpture.
I don’t have a favorite, but I love both styles. I paint watercolors myself, so I love paintings. I love the smooth lines in sculptures and carvings. I love quilt patterns, iron work. I also make miniatures. I can’t pick a favorite.
How old were you when you started writing?
I was in fifth grade when I was reading my stories to my class. That’s also when I began entering little stories into magazines.
Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write?
I just write. The story unfolds before my eyes, so I’m experiencing it and wondering what happens next myself.
Describe your perfect evening.
Fire crackling in the fireplace. Snow falling (but not accumulating too much. LOL That’s important because I’ve spent the last several months becoming more acquainted with my shovel then I ever wanted to be), a good movie on the TV and a craft in front of me. And a snack somewhere close by.
Where do you get your inspiration?
LIFE It’s a wonderful, complex, messy, beautiful thing. All the inspiration I need.
What do you do when you get a writer's block?
Throw a fit, zone out on the internet, eat junk food and feel sorry for myself. Then I force myself to write story paragraphs until I get going again.
Who is your favorite author?
I’m really failing at these favorite questions. My list is so long… there are so many… and new ones adding all the time. My taste is very eclectic. I love mystery, sci-fi, fantasy and historical.
Best book you ever read.
Argh. Let’s see. The ones that I love deeply are ones that I read as a kid and teenager. They offered me such escape and joy, so they’ll always be my favorites. Books by James Herriot, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Laura Ingles Wilder, Nancy Drew, etc.
Last book you read.
I just finished a book from a fellow author as a beta read.
What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?
I’d love to work in a crafts store.
Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
My husband and children for sure.
If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
Jesus. I know it says one, but I’d also love to talk with some of my ancestors way, way far back. That would be so interesting!
What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer? Just sit down and write.
Do the first draft for you. Don’t picture anyone over your shoulder reading it. When we imagine people reading it, we tend to see them judging it, and then we start editing. Just let the words out and worry about that part later. Writing is a rollercoaster. Lots of, “I love this,” and a day later, “This is terrible!” That’s just what it means to be a writer, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Give yourself the creativity to make mistakes.
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