Allie Pleiter Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. I’m an avid knitter, which comes through in the entire series. It’s been great fun to infuse the mysteries with my love of yarn and needles. In addition to writing, I do a lot of speaking on creativity and productivity (many writers know my Chunky Method of time management). I have two adult children who are off on lives of their own, so my husband and I live in the suburbs of Chicago with our dog Paisley.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. I didn’t, actually. I started life as an actor. I wrote my first book when a friend dared me, and I discovered my love of telling stories and creating characters could turn into a love of writing.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?
A. It really was on a dare—except the friend who dared me happened to be very well connected in the publishing industry. She introduced me to my agent, who has been representing my work for over twenty years. It is an amazing—and humbling—thing to have someone recognize a talent in you that you didn’t even know you had. Over 50 published titles later, I’m still astonished and feel so blessed to be where I am.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release ON SKEIN OF DEATH?
A: ON SKEIN OF DEATH launches the Riverbank Knitting Mysteries series, and follows yarn shop owner Libby Beckett as she launches Y.A.R.N.’s first big event with a rising star designer specializing in Norwegian-inspired patterns. It introduces readers to the tight-knit (pun most definitely intended!) Maryland community of Collinstown. Like all good cozy mysteries, there are lots of fun characters and a strong dose of twists and turns as Libby tries to figure out who the killer is.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for ON SKEIN OF DEATH?
A: I travel a good deal (or did, and hope to again), and always visit the yarn shops wherever I go. On one such visit I saw a beautiful sweater inspired by an ethnic design. My brain launched into the series of “what if” questions most writers are prone to asking, and the story unraveled itself from there.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: I hope they enjoy the mystery, but I think it’s the characters that will capture their imaginations. Collinstown is filled with people we’ll all recognize from our own lives. Libby has the kind of friends I’d always want to have. I love creating characters I’d want to call friends and places I’d want to call home.

Q: What inspires you to write?
A. Well, as a productivity expert, I’d have to say it’s not really about inspiration. It’s about dedication and productivity. If I waited for inspiration to strike, I’d never get a book written, much less the four or so I produce every year. I have a carefully crafted plan and I work that plan with all the dedication I can muster. Inspiration is nice, and there certainly are days I feel inspired, but I write on the days I don’t feel inspired, too. Inspiration can come from anywhere—a picture, something someone says, the news, or my own crazy imagination.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I’m getting ready to release my next Love Inspired romance, A Mother’s Strength, which comes out in September. I just finished the first draft of the second Riverbank Knitting Mystery, Knit or Dye Trying, which comes out next February. After that I launch a new series for Love Inspired, True North Springs, and next Christmas there will be a third Riverbank mystery.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?
A. Knit, of course! I’m always, always knitting. And drinking coffee. And walking my dog. And if there’s a pie shop nearby…