Matter of Inquiry Interviews Suspense Writer Lis Angus

​Welcome to Matter of Inquiry!
 
This week on the mystery blog, I’m talking with suspense writer Lis Angus and taking a look at her featured book, Not Your Child. Before we get started, Lis, please tell readers a little about yourself.

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Bio:
I grew up in the western Canada province of Alberta. After high school I spent two years in Germany, then finished university in Ottawa, where I met my husband. We raised our two daughters in Toronto, and now live in a small town south of Ottawa.
I’ve been writing all my life, from childhood on, but abandoned fiction writing after my teen years. My early career was spent working with children and families in crisis, then later I was a telecommunications consultant and policy advisor, conference organizer, business writer and editor. I had always wanted to write a novel; after I retired I decided it was time, and plunged into writing a first draft. Meanwhile I took writing classes and joined a local writing group. I also joined the Sisters in Crime “Guppy” chapter, where I learned a lot from other writers.
My debut novel, NOT YOUR CHILD, was published in April 2022 by The Wild Rose Press, so this month is its one-year anniversary. I’m excited to celebrate this milestone—and meanwhile I am working on a second book, another standalone suspense novel.
 
Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “Somehow, I’ve managed to take boat rides on several of the world’s great rivers: the Nile, the Amazon, the Danube, the Rhine, the Yangtze, the Thames. And I also toured the countries they’re in, of course. My usual travel companion is my husband, but the trip to China was with my two sisters. My older sister had dreamed of visiting China since she was a child, and we finally made it happen, and even visited sites in Tibet.”

Author links:
Website: https://lisangus.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisangusauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisangus1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisangus459/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59436824-not-your-child

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INTERVIEW:
 
JLB:  What is the hardest part of writing for you?
LA:  I’m still developing my craft as a fiction writer, so every stage takes effort. Getting the first draft down is a big milestone: as someone said, “you can’t edit a blank page.” Once I have something on the page—or on the screen—I can start to work on it. I revise scene by scene, and section by section: first working on big issues like character, plot, and structure, then refining to improve the flow. If I make a significant change, like eliminating a story line, I call that a new draft, though within a draft I might rewrite every scene a few times. At one point with NOT YOUR CHILD, I threw out the final 25% of the book and changed the ending completely.
 
JLB:  Do you use critique groups or beta readers? Do you find them valuable?
LA:  I definitely use beta readers. I have several that I rely on to help me identify places in my draft that are unclear or need revision. However, it’s important to let them know what kind of feedback I’m looking for: if I want to know if a plot twist works or a character is believable,  I’m less interested in finding out about spelling mistakes.
 
JLB:  How many books do you read in a month? Which genre(s)? Favorite authors?
LA:  I always have a book on the go, and I generally average two or three novels a week. I regularly update my library request lists. I mainly read within the crime fiction spectrum —from domestic suspense to thrillers to police procedurals. I like atmospheric novels that go beyond plot to delve into the relationships between characters. I admire many authors: a few that come to mind (in no particular order) are Jane Harper, Adrian McKinty, Tana French, Lisa Unger, Ruth Ware, Chris Pavone, Karin Slaughter, Michael Koryta, Nicci French.
 
JLB:  Do you read reviews of your own books? Do you respond to them? Are you affected by them?
LA:  I do read my reviews, both by professional reviewers and by readers.  I’ve been lucky that they’ve mostly been positive, so that encourages me. I love to know that my work is resonating with readers, and I try to thank them for the feedback. Occasionally there’s a review from someone who hasn’t  enjoyed the book, but I figure I can’t please everyone, and I certainly don’t try to change their mind.
 
JLB:  What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
LA:  I’m currently working on my second novel, another standalone suspense. I’m hoping to have a draft to submit by the end of the year. Optimistically, I’d hope for a release sometime in 2024.
 
JLB:  Which of the trivia questions did you choose?
LA:

• ebook or print?  I prefer the feel of a print book, but sometimes an ebook is just more convenient, especially when travelling.
• most beloved comic book character:  Hobbes (from Calvin and Hobbes) —he breaks me up!
• have you written a book during NaNo? NOT YOUR CHILD started as a 2017 NaNo project, though it took four years and numerous drafts before it found a publisher.  And the book I’m currently writing started as a NaNo project too.
• How long does it take you to write a book? Too long! I’m not a fast writer, and I’m also something of a perfectionist.
• Favorite childhood book. I adored Trixie Belden. But another series I loved is one you may not have heard of: Freddy the Pig, who solved mysteries on Mr. Bean’s farm in Centerboro.

JLB:  Good luck with your writing, Lis. Thanks for visiting with those of us who love a good crime story. Now, let's take a look at your featured book.

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Not Your Child
Genre: suspense
 
When Ottawa psychologist and single mother Susan Koss discovers that a strange man has been following her twelve-year-old daughter Maddy, she fears he’s a predator. But it’s worse than that. The man, Daniel Kazan, believes Maddy is his granddaughter, abducted as a baby—and he’s obsessed with getting her back.

Susan insists on a DNA test to disprove Daniel’s claim, but the result is one she can’t understand or explain: it says she’s not Maddy’s mother.

Then Maddy vanishes. Susan’s convinced Daniel has taken her, but he has an alibi, and two searches of his house turn up nothing. The hunt is on—police are on full mobilization, and Susan fears the worst.

 
​Buy links:
Note: There’ll be a special ebook 99¢ sale on NOT YOUR CHILD from April 12-26, to mark the book’s one-year anniversary.
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Your-Child-Lis-Angus-ebook/dp/B09QRST379?maas=maas_adg_8A6B91EC58EC3F0283D1E75DECA38D55_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
Universal book link: https://books2read.com/notyourchild

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 Click HERE to find an Excerpt of NOT YOUR CHILD in the Book Spotlight on my Ally Shields blog.

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