Pamela DuMond is an author, writer, chiropractor and cranio-sacral therapist. She discovered and pitched Erin Brockovich’s true life story to a production company. She has written articles on intuition and synchronicity which were published in Soul Moments: Marvelous Stories of Synchronicity – Meaningful Coincidences from a Seemingly Random World, edited by Phil Cousineau. Originally from the Midwest, she now resides in Venice Beach, California. She lives for a good giggle. Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys is her first novel.

Muse: First of all, Whispers of the Muse welcomes you to the site. Tell us a little about yourself. What part of the world do you live in? Tell us about your background?
Ms. DuMond: Thanks for interviewing me, Deborah. I'm thrilled to be featured on your site. I'm originally from the Midwest and have several frostbitten fingers to prove it. I moved to L.A. for love. When that tanked, I stayed in California for the great climate and the beaches.

Muse: Who are your favorite authors?
Ms. DuMond: Lisa Lutz. Jacqueline Carey. Suzanne Collins. Robertson Davies. Anne Lamott. Meg Cabot. Lee Child. Harlan Coben. Robert Crais.

Muse: Why did you write a Mystery? And what other genres do you write?
Ms. DuMond: When I was a kid, I was convinced Nancy Drew and I were related. I've always loved mysteries and thrillers. I love trying to figure things out. Colonel Mustard in the Kitchen with the Spatula. Keep me guessing, wondering, turning pages, glued to my seat, and I will be your loyal reader/fan for life. Make me laugh, and you will have a hard time getting rid of me. That said, for my first novel I wanted to write a mystery that would make people giggle. I'm also writing YA Romances with para-normal elements. But I'm leaving the vampires to you, Deborah. You've got that one covered.

Muse: What is your writing regimen? How often do you work on a book? Do you set daily time or word goals? What keeps you meeting your deadlines?
Ms. DuMond: I usually write at night for several hours. I hear a lot of people say they want to write a book, but can't find the time.  If I can squeak in just ten minutes a day - it adds up. I've recently tried to incorporate  more writing during the day. My only daily goal is to write every day. Currently my deadline is self-imposed: my need to get my story figured out. My desire to be able to share it in a timely fashion with readers, an audience.  

Muse: Does the way you personally look at life reflect in your writing style?
Ms. DuMond: Hah! That answer is a huge yes! I relish poking fun of anything/one pompous. I tend to get caught up in this idea that 'fairness' should exist in this world, but it doesn't. That right should triumph over wrong. So, if my heroines' lives are messy and all the loose ends are not neatly tied up with a bow,  I want them to learn and earn something from that mess. Something that enables them to go forth, deal with the bad guys, maybe fall in love with the right guy, keep fighting the fight, and in some way, succeed.

Muse: What are the creative jumping off points for you? Are you inspired by dreams? Music? Nature? The occasional black nightmare? What triggers your imagination?
Ms. DuMond: I shamelessly mine my own life for snippets that could make an interesting story. The characters in Cupcakes are complete mishmashes of people I've encountered. In my current WIP, Act 2 was inspired by one of my favorite movies and I am borrowing from historical events in terms of character development, action, and raising the stakes.

As a writer, I believe a really great tool is to ask yourself, "What if?" When something happens that is odd, crazy or grabs your attention, I start spinning on that question. It can inspire a plethora of story ideas.

Muse: Tell us about Cupcakes, Lies and Dead Guys. What was your inspiration?
Ms. DuMond: A writer I knew wrote a very funny action adventure novel set in the south. She sold a three book deal to St. Martin's about six years ago. I was inspired! I wanted to write a fish-out-of-water story. A comedic mystery with an old-fashioned, take no prisoners Midwestern chick who would get in a boat load of trouble while navigating the mean/bizarre streets of Los Angeles.

Muse: What is your favorite scene from the book and why?
Ms. DuMond: It's a toss-up. I love the scene where she botches the spell and conjures Derrick's ghost. I love the scenes where she dresses in a variety of ridiculous disguises and boldly sneaks into places she doesn't belong to track down clues. I love her empathic moments.

Muse: Have you written other books?
Ms. DuMond: I've written scripts, worked on several non-fiction books. I had articles published in an anthology edited by Phil Cousineau. I edited two self-help anthologies. But Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys is my first novel.

Muse: Tell us about your other books?
Ms. DuMond: I mentioned my YA WIP. There's also a sequel to Cupcakes novel in the works. It too will be irreverent and funny.

Muse: How do you feel about the current publishing marketplace?