I’m going to stand aside and lend my blog to paranormal author Robin Murphy for the day. Robin is the author of “Sullivan’s Secret”, a paranormal mystery. She has written an amazing guest post about how writing found her, and I thought it was really inspiring. Anyway, I’ll stop babbling now, and leave the floor to Robin!

Writing Found Me

I was once asked if I had found my passion in writing when I was young.  My answer was, “No, I didn’t.  I think writing found me.”  Strange as it may seem, but I didn’t realize I loved writing until later in life.

I learned through my writing courses to write what you know or enjoy.  Some feel differently on this subject, but for me, I enjoy anything paranormal and writing my paranormal mystery series has been a blast.  To be honest, I didn’t know how deeply ensconced I was in the paranormal.

The protagonist in my series is Dr. Marie Bartek, a veterinarian on Sullivan’s Island, SC, who is also a psychic medium.  She squelched her ability when she was young, but in the first book, Sullivan’s Secret, she realizes there is a reason the spirits are trying to get her attention.  In the second book, Secret of the Big Easy, she is beginning to learn new abilities, as well as embracing her gift.  I have always had an interest in psychics; I’ve gone to a few.  So it was natural for me to include this element in my storyline.

The next interest, or should I say obsession, is ghost investigating.  I’ve been watching ghost investigating television shows since 2006.  It wasn’t until last October that I got my very first chance to go on an investigation with a local paranormal group.  It was everything I expected it to be, plus more.  We communicated with a few ghosts through LED flashlights, an exciting moment for me, but I also learned the details of what it really takes to do an investigation.  It’s not all about what you see on TV and walking around in the dark.  There is a ton of research beforehand, plus the time spent doing equipment set up and tear down, and then the hours spent going through all of the analysis.  This definitely helped me in my writing, because even though it’s fiction, I wanted to have the details correct.  It makes it more believable for the reader.

Another interest of mine is reading and watching anything that deals with a mystery.  Name any detective show, and I’ve watched it.  I then came upon a show dealing with real cold case detectives using a psychic to help them solve a crime or give them better leads.  So, there it was, the third element to my story and wah lah, Dr. Marie Bartek and the Sullivan’s Island Paranormal Society (SIPS) team were born.  Not to mention adding a little romance, humor, friendship, and a few quirky elements with the characters in the SIPS team.

I find myself having a difficult time putting away my story.  When I finish a book, I miss my characters.  I believe that is what helped me write this series because I have such a good time getting lost in my story and hanging out with them.  I hope this comes across to the reader.  Even though I write for myself first, I truly want to entertain other paranormal enthusiasts.

I am now working through the edits of the third book in the series, Federal City’s Secret.  From the title you can guess that it takes place in Washington, DC.  It deals with politics, secret societies, the mafia, and of course, murder.  Marie is developing more abilities, as well as getting closer to Cory Miller, the man in her life.  There are also big changes taking place in this third book, which will bring on challenges for Marie and the SIPS team.  But I don’t want to say too much, everyone will have to keep an eye out when it’s released this summer and read it for themselves.

Thank you for allowing me to share my interests and series with you today.

About Sullivan’s Secret

Dr. Marie Bartek’s life has been uneventful as the local veterinarian on Sullivan’s Island, SC, until her ability to see spirits returns after eighteen years. After confiding in her best friend and realizing their interests in the paranormal, they organize a paranormal investigation team called Sullivan’s Island Paranormal Society, SIPS. Marie learns to channel her ability through the help of one of the team members, but not before learning the spirits are trying to warn her about the murders taking place on Sullivan’s Island. Sullivan’s Secret captivates the reader with murder, suspense, and the world of the paranormal.

Visit Robin Murphy’s blog.

Sullivan’s Secret on Goodreads.

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