Judy Clemens, whose third book in the Crown series will be out this August, has found a character that yields strength and wisdom.  Stella (as in Stella Crown, Harley Rider and Mennonite Dairy Farmer) is a captivating heroine.

Clemens will be visiting the Findlay-Hancock County Library on Saturday, April 8 at 10:30 to present a "behind the keyboard" look at crime writing with her "Sister in Crime," Libby Fischer Hellman.  Judy is president of the Ohio Chapter of SinC (Sisters in Crime), and Hellman is the National President and lives in Chicago.
 
Hellman is author of the Ellie Foreman mystery series, beginning with An Eye for Murder. When not writing fiction, she conducts executive training programs in presentation skills, speech delivery, and media interviews. She also writes other mediums, including video scripts, articles, and speeches.

In addition to writing, Clemens has worked as a professional stage manager in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, freelancing with numerous companies as well as serving as resident stage manager at Cheltenham Center for the Arts and Lantern Theater. She's lived in Kansas, Florida, and Illinois, but most recently landed in Ohio.

Clemens took time out of her busy schedule for an interview with Findlay Living Magazine

FLM:  How did you get your start in writing?

JC: I've written ever since I was a little girl, writing stories and poems ever since I can remember. My first "novel" was when I was in third grade.  That one's never gone anywhere except my attic.  Seriously, I've been writing for adults for about 15 years.  I wrote a few novels which are in drawers now.  TILL THE COWS COME HOME, began about six and a half years ago when my son was born.  I wrote during his naps.  Five years later, after many re-writes and a few years of trying to find an agent and a publisher, I found a publishing home.  Now I have a contract for five books in this series.  THREE CAN KEEP A SECRET came out last year, and TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE will be out this August.  #4 is scheduled to come out in 2007, and #5 in 2008.

FLM: Is Stella based on anyone you know?

JC: No.  I have notes about her from almost 10 years ago.  Interestingly enough, AFTER she was created I met a woman in Pennsylvania who is a lot like her -- runs a dairy farm, and is tall with dark short hair (no tattoos that I know of!)  The people in the book really are made up -- but of course all the people I know and all my experiences form them.  The only people in the book that are based on real people are Lenny and Bart.  They look like bikers I know!

FLM: What inspires you to write mystery?

JC: I love the puzzle involved in mysteries, plus it gives a framework in which to write about other issues.  In each of my books I like to work on breaking down stereotypes:  bikers, Mennonites (I am Mennonite, myself), tattoo artists...  Writing mysteries allows me to delve into some of these things by dealing with some of the bigger issues:  life, death, love, betrayal...  Plus, I love to read mysteries because of their intricacies and opportunities for studying relationships.

Clemens and Hellman will also be appearing at the Fostoria library at 1:00 on Saturday April 8 and the Wood County Library in Bowling Green on Sunday, April 9 at 1:00.  The events are free and no registration is required.

For more information about the authors, visit:
www.thelittleblogofmurder
www.lethalladies.us 
www.judyclemens.com and www.hellmann.com