Felita Daniels is...On the Writing Block!

Are you ready to hear about this next book? Hang on a second, though, as we look at just who is Felita?

Felita Daniels has loved reading mysteries since she was a child. Her favorite authors are Rex Stout, Earl Derr Biggers, Agatha Christie, Earl Stanley Gardner, Robert Parker, Sue Grafton, Harlan Coben, and Lee Child.

Her Anthony Group mystery series started with The Case of the Sad Sons and continues on with The Case of the Cheated Charity. The third book in the series, The Case of the Bankrupt Bar, is in the works now.

She loves to talk books and writing, but also enjoys sewing and gardening.

Who are two authors that have inspired your writing?

I’ve been reading mystery novels since I was in elementary school. I’m sure I’ve subconsciously learned a great deal from many authors. But my gut reaction to the question provided two names. Rex Stout popped into my head for characters that I love. Robert B. Parker takes the cake for dialogue.

Do you always know who the killer is, or do your characters surprise you in the end?

I believe 95% of mystery writers are plotters. It just makes sense as you have to build in suspects, alibis, motives, true clues, and red herrings. However, I believe outlines can evolve also. I have some works that the original outline survives the whole work. However, I believe an outline can have a rough draft and a revised final draft also.

In my first Anthony Group novel, The Case of the Sad Sons, when I got to the part to actually write the murder I stopped. The little devil on my left shoulder said, “You should kill XYZ character instead of the one you planned.”

Then the angel on my right shoulder countered, “No, we like XYZ!”

“Exactly, that’s why you need to kill them instead. Higher stakes, people will care more.”

I quit writing for the day and cleaned the house mad, muttering to myself. Ultimately, I decided it would make for a stronger book. That outline got a re-write as one or two small things had to be adjusted further on the back half. But I was surprised how much of the first twenty thousand words or so were perfectly fine despite such a pivot. My subconscious mind was possibly going in that direction the whole time. In The Case of the Cheated Charity, I had a minor character that was needed early on for practicality. As I progressed in the book, I noticed that I was giving them more ‘screen time’ and lines than the outline indicated. Then it popped into my head that they could play a critical role in the climax ending instead of a different character. I didn’t have a fight with myself over that change. I had just started liking the character the more I wrote about them, I suppose.

Do you prefer pen and paper, or computer for writing?

Hybrid here. I use paper and pen for the outlining process. I almost always draw a grid with the suspects to the left, then columns for their motives, alibis, clues that point to them, and a few other secret sauce elements that I won’t divulge. My outlining the chapters usually has two or three sentences of what needs to happen. There’s sometimes arrow drawing connecting factors or relationships. I’ve laid out notes and pages on the dining room table to play with re-arranging developments on occasion.

When I’m satisfied with the structure I switch to the computer. I type up the grid and chapter events listing. When I begin the actual writing, I go chronologically as the reader would experience the book.

How much research do you conduct for your storylines?

Cumulatively, a significant amount I suppose. I did this to myself by having a team that each character specializes in a different industry. But I don’t get too in the weeds on any one topic. I found early on I would research something to death (embezzlement crimes as I started the series) and would only actually include a smidgin of it. I had pages of newspaper clippings of actual cases. Researched the ‘why’ they did it, how did they get caught, and how severe their sentences were. Different states have different laws, so that complicates things.

I feel there’s a real danger to delaying the actual writing with the excuse of one needs to research something extensively before starting. I knew a writer that took a whole month to come up with a character’s name. They were researching popular names for the year they were born, what last names were typically middle class or upper class, names associated with a certain heritage, etc. It wasn’t a historical work either.

Part of my working career was in banking. I also took some accounting classes in college. That foundation for The Anthony Group was kind of baked in. But Mark is a former marine, and I know they have their own lingo. I researched the jargon first. The internet is a wonderful thing. My son and daughter-in-law were both marines. I can call my son to double-check the gun references and make sure I didn’t make a blunder in the lingo.

Tommy is the computer expert, and I’m probably a little vague about his specialty because that industry changes so fast. I tend to have Laura asking him for particular pieces of data or patterns, but don’t go into detail about how he executed the task to get the answers. He is the youngest of the team, enjoys gaming, and he worked hard to keep out of the gangs growing up. In his dialogue I include phrases and concepts researched that would reflect his lifestyle.

Ginger didn’t get to showcase her legal skills much in the first book in the series. She does get to shine more in Cheated Charity. However, this is part of the beauty in a long running series. The plot lines show off the different characters in diverse amounts and ways. Sometimes you get to know them better as people, and other times, you see their badassery in their skill sets.

Then there’s the clients. Depending on what kind of business they’re in, or their social circle, that adds a different layer of research for that one book.

So, everyone gets a little love in the research department.

What is Cheated Charity about?

When Lamar Benton, the star of the hit TV show Justice Squad, needs specialized help, he goes to the best. How does he extricate himself from a threat to his professional and personal life and not come away looking like an idiot?

Lamar set up Strategies for Change as a charity to provide education to break the cycle of poverty. He’s now worried someone is stealing from the organization.

Referred to the Anthony Group, who specialize in private financial matters of businesses and the wealthy, the quartet of skilled professionals take on the sensitive case.

The team barely start when a suspicious death occurs. Suspects pile up, but the local police are keen on Lamar.

The Anthony Group must unveil the culprit's identity, and keep their client out of jail to save his career and charity. What will they put at risk to accomplish their goals?