Joy Ann Ribar is…On the Writing Block!

Sherry Ickes
Apr 21
4 min read

Updated: May 5

I don’t know about you all, my fellow readers, but when I see a cover with flowers and a typewriter, it instantly grabs my attention! And here to talk about her latest release, is Mystery Author Joy Ann Ribar…

Joy’s passion for her native Wisconsin home supplies the setting for her mysteries, featuring all four seasons, friendly people, and local flavors. If you want pastries without calories, wine without a hangover, and drama with a dose of laughter, come home to the Deep Lakes Mysteries. Frankie Champagne and her business partner, Carmen, serve up pastries (recipes included), fruity wines, and witty conversations at Bubble & Bake, while they investigate crimes on the side.

Joy’s edgy Bay Browning Mysteries enjoy multiple awards. The Medusa Murders is recognized by Book Fest, Readers Favorite, and PenCraft. Shake-speared in the Park is a 2025 Finalist for the Mystery and Mayhem award from Chanticleer International Book Awards and PenCraft Best Book Award winner for Spring 2026. See Joy’s news and travels at https://joyribar.substack.com/

What is your ultimate goal as an author?

As a retired teacher, it is impossible for me to write only for entertainment. I want my readers to learn something new, to experience an “aha” moment where they encounter something special that makes them think or inspires them in a new way. That said, I focus a great deal on friendships among women, how women can put their heads together to solve puzzles better than one person might accomplish alone. I love to read to escape into a new world, and I hope that’s what I offer my readers: a place where they feel at home and want to return again, or places of intrigue where they can explore from the safety of their own reading corner.

How much research do you conduct for your storylines?

I enjoy doing research – maybe that’s the English teacher in m! Almost every one of my mysteries entails investigation of some sort, besides looking into murder weapons. Some of the most interesting research I’ve done:

Learning the ins and outs of sheep ranching for Deep Green Envy, "Deep Lakes" Book 3.
Studying the history of a local granite quarry and its many tragedies that I rolled into a legendary curse in Deep Bitter Roots, "Deep Lakes" Book 2.
Reviewing my art history courses for symbolism along with Greek and Egyptian mythology for clues left by the killer, found by my main character in The Medusa Murders, "Bay Browning" Book 1.
Venturing into the world of Emily Dickinson in Amherst, Massachusetts with visits to The Homestead and The Evergreens. Seeing where she lived and the homes she loved helped me capture her spirit in Poetry Slammed, "Bay Browning" Book 3.

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

I always listen to my characters as I’m writing. When I begin, I have a rough outline of plot points, but that never turns out to be a straight line. I stay true to the characters involved and think about what their motivations are, so I’m open to changing the plot as I write. Better ideas often come along, including twists that are unpredictable, but make for a dynamite story. I have a confession to make: the deeper I go into the story, the more I hear my characters speaking to each other and even to me. Sometimes I write a scene, and I can hear a character screaming in my ear – “No, no, no. I would never do that!” Diving into writing is like diving into the deep end of a murky lake; I have to swim through tangled weeds and muck to reach the surface where the light shines. The process means I have to trust myself to encounter the darkness, the cold places, and the slimy knots to make the story flow freely. It is not easy. For instance, I have killed characters I love because the plot demanded it.

Who is your favorite mystery sleuth? (Books, TV, amateur and professional alike)

Lucky for me, mysteries are popular and there are many types of sleuths out there to inspire writers and readers alike. Some of my favorites from the screen include: Detective William Murdoch from Murdoch Mysteries, Cora Felton aka The Puzzle Lady, Eliza aka Miss Scarlet, and Emily from The Mistletoe Murders. I like clever sleuths who make me laugh and I believe no detective is complete without a quirky nature of some sort.

What is Poetry Slammed about?

The Browning sisters return to flex their mystery-solving muscles in Poetry Slammed. After a poetry open mic night, sisters Bay and Cass watch star professor Vivian Rossi being shoved into a van. Was it her newly found Dickinson poem and letter the kidnappers wanted—or Vivian’s darker secrets? As Bay follows the clues, psychic Cass pursues Posey’s past and a second cryptic message, risking everything for answers buried in Prairie Ridge.