Lisa Bouchard joins us for this week’s The Cozy 52 interview. Author of the Isabella Proctor Cozy Paranormal Mysteries, read on to learn about Lisa’s past career choices, what inspired her to write cozies, and who her favourite authors are.
Who or What is The Cozy 52? Each week I will be sharing an interview with someone involved with Cozy Mysteries – an author, blogger, Facebook Group host, podcaster, cover designer – so that we can showcase this amazing community! I hope you’ll discover some new authors, plus learn more about what goes on behind the scenes with the people who write, publish and promote cozy mysteries!
Introducing Lisa Bouchard
NAME: Lisa Bouchard
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES: I write the Isabella Proctor Cozy Paranormal Mysteries
HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? Self-published
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
I’ve had a wide variety of jobs that you wouldn’t think would go together – dishwasher, chemist, professional knitter, physics instructor, and now writer. I think writer is going to “stick” because I doubt I’ll ever give up making my own hours and working in my pyjamas.
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
- I trained to be a physicist and my second-most prized possession is my HP-11C calculator that I’ve had since 1982.
- I’m taking a vacation to Norway with my husband this fall. It’s the first vacation we’ve had without kids in over two decades.
- I have different drinks for different parts of my work. Coffee is for marketing and admin work, but when it’s time to write I must have tea.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
I’ve always loved writing, but thought I needed a “real” job, so I went into science. After having kids I needed something I could do while I was at home that would stay done (unlike the dishes, the laundry, and all the other work a stay-at-home mother does). It’s also easy to pick up and put down writing when a kid needs you. I started writing cozies a couple of years ago when the pandemic started. I wanted something that was light-hearted and easy to write (and read).
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
I write cozy paranormals now but have outlines for a series of Christmas cozies, and a series of craft-related cozies.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
I started writing the Isabella Proctor cozy paranormal mystery series during the pandemic and I chose a location it was easy for me to drive to so that I could do research while not getting out of my car.
As for Isabella herself, I wanted to write a character who was at the cusp of truly coming of age. She’s learning more about her magical power, learning what it’s like to be in a serious relationship, and learning how to be responsible for herself. She’s a combination of “I’ve got this” and “how the heck do I do this?” that people feel throughout their lives whenever they take on new challenges.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
People love reading cozies because there’s just enough danger to keep you interested but not enough to keep you awake at night. They’re also fans of the friendships and character development that cozies are known for.
ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?
I’m not – I’m too busy writing!
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
My absolute favorite book is The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul by Douglas Adams. It’s a fantasy mystery that involves Thor, Odin, and other Norse mythology but is set in London. I love the Veronica Speedwell series by Deanna Raybourn, the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series by Lynn Messina, and the Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas. Given this line up, maybe I ought to start plotting some historical cozies.
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
The first two books are easy to pick: The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul by Douglas Adams. Dune by Frank Herbert. The last book indulges my science nerd side and is Relativity, Gravitation, and Cosmology by Ta-Pei Cheng. This book will take me years to go through the math and keep me occupied as I wait for rescue.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
I’ve just started putting some of my earlier books up on YouTube as audiobooks. I’m excited to share the books via audio because that’s how I get most of my reading done these days. As a writer, if I have time to sit and read I feel like I ought to be writing instead, so I devour audiobooks when I’m doing other things (cooking, cleaning, driving kids around – the usual mom stuff).
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: Pork and veggie dumplings my husband makes me after a tough week
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Flavored water although I have different drinks for work time.
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: My ketubah – a Jewish wedding contract – it’s gorgeous and I think somewhere in the Hebrew part it says my husband may have to give me goats if we divorce.
- SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? Anywhere with gorgeous scenery, good food and a relaxed atmosphere.
To keep up to date with Lisa Bouchard online, you can connect with her on:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | BOOKBUB | YOUTUBE
I’ve just finished book 9 of the Isabella Proctor series and I’m so hoping there will be more. I just really love this series and was sad when I finished book 9. Let us know Lisa please when there will be another one. Thank you.