Today’s guest for a Cozy Chat is Peg Cochran about her Farmer’s Daughter Series.
Hi, Peg. Thanks for joining us on Cozy Chat. Have a seat and help yourself to some tea while we talk.
Can you tell us a little bit about the Farmer’s Daughter series? What gave you the idea for it?
My agent and I tossed various ideas around. She had the idea for a farmer who blogs, and I really liked the concept. I decided I wanted to do something a little different so I made her a young widow with an almost teenaged daughter and an eight-year-old son. She blogs about cooking, farming, raising children and life in general which, on Love Blossom Farm, is sometimes a little crazy!
Sounds nice. Do you have any advice to other authors about writing cozies or writing in general?
Never give up! I had 400 rejections on three projects I’d been circulating to agents for two years when I finally got my “big break” thanks to a writing buddy who put me in touch with her agent about a project. Another bit of advice—network with other writers through on-line writers’ groups. You never know who might open a door for you. As for writing cozies, the key is a strong “hook.”
Wow! That’s impressive. Being persistent is definitely important for authors. I’m currently looking for an agent myself and, although I haven’t sent out nearly as many queries as you mentioned, I don’t let the rejections deter me.
What are you currently working on?
I just received the copy-edits from my editor for the third Cranberry Cove release, Dead and Berried. The second Farmer’s Daughter book, Sowed to Death, is scheduled for release in 2017. The first one, “No Farm, No Foul” is scheduled for release today, September 6, and I’m working on the fifth book in my e-book Lucille Series coming out through Beyond the Page Publishing.
Sounds like a full schedule. I also juggle several books and other writing projects. Do you write any other genres than cozies?
Right now I am very busy with my cozies, but I’m doing research for a proposal for a historical mystery, and I’d love to try my hand at suspense. I like a challenge!
I think that’s great. Can you tell me how you got started in writing?
By reading. Reading Nancy Drew gave me the urge to write a mystery although my first writing, done when I was around seven, was plays that I forced my cousins to perform at Christmas dinner!
Nice story. What are your hobbies besides writing?
Reading, of course, and I love to cook. I’m hopeless at needlework of any kind, and forget scrapbooking—the only pictures that have made it into albums are through 1984!
LOL. It’s hard to find the time for hobbies when you write, but reading is always helpful.
Is there anything else you’d like readers of this blog to know about you and/or your books?
I love hearing from readers! They can contact me through my website: pegcochran.com.
Thanks for the interview, Peg, and best wishes on your upcoming cozies and other books.
Ruff Drafts 