Brenda Lyne
Brenda Lyne is an independent author of six paranormal mystery novels: Charlie's Mirror, Sister Lost, The Raegan O'Rourke Mysteries Series (The Thirteenth Cabin, Angel Baby, and Fool's Gold), and her latest, Ripple Effect. Five of her novels are Readers' Favorite Five-Star Review recipients. Brenda lives in Coon Rapids with her two busy teenagers and two furbabies.
Tell us about the featured book. What is it about, and why did you choose to write it?
Ripple Effect is a cold case mystery told from the perspective of the murder victim as she watches her case finally be solved after fifteen years, thanks to two dogged detectives and cutting-edge DNA technology. The inspiration for the story came from all of the recent news stories about unidentified crime victims who finally get their names back thanks to forensic genetic genealogy. Cold cases are my jam, and I thought genetic genealogy would lend itself perfectly to my new story. And it did! I'm very proud of Ripple Effect; it's a gripping paranormal mystery that explores the unseen connections between the living and the dead, the weight of unfinished business, and the ripple effects of choices made long ago.
Tell us a little about your writing process. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
My favorite thing about writing fiction is the creative license to make things up. To a point. I want the people, places, and circumstances in my books to be believable, but I don’t get hung up on a lot of the nitty gritty details. That makes research pretty easy for books like mine; I can find pretty much everything I need as I go with basic Google searches.
I spend a lot of time plotting and outlining. I know how a story is going to move and flow, and how it will end before I ever type “Chapter 1.” Sometimes things morph a bit, or I’ll find plot holes or glaring questions, as I work, but for the most part I stay true to my outline.
The hardest part for me, still, always, is making the time to write. I have a full time career and two busy kids, so finding chunks of time can be a real challenge. Often you’ll find me sitting in my car working on my book while my daughter is at dance class. Whatever it takes to keep making forward progress.
Has a library or librarian impacted your life?
The library has always been a huge part of my life. Some of my earliest memories involve checking out Peanuts comic anthologies, then taking them home and spending many happy hours holed up in my room, reading them. As a teen I would hunt for the latest Babysitter's Club or Sweet Valley High. As an adult, it's been a joy watching my own kids enjoy the library. The Anoka County Library is a treasure and we are so fortunate to have it so that stories and information are available to all.
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I am a sports mom, a cat mom, a world-class thrift shopper, and a pretty decent vegetable gardener.
Favorite place to visit in Minnesota?
This is a really long list. My kids and I like to take day or weekend trips to explore our great state, and I’m blessed to be able to share that with them. Some of the places I love include Duluth and the North Shore, the hidden falls of St. Paul, St. Anthony Main in Minneapolis, and the river bluffs of southeastern Minnesota.
Where can readers find you online?