Quirky, interesting characters, a comfortable and familiar world, with plenty of clues and plot twists are the main things that keep readers coming back to a cozy mystery series, says Angela M. Sanders.

She writes nonfiction pieces and is the author of multiple cozy mystery series, including the Witch Way Librarian Cozy Mysteries, beginning with Witch Upon a Star

It's the continuity readers like and the safe, welcoming feel, Sanders says, but that poses unique challenges for the writer. You want to create a fictional world that is familiar and welcoming, yet interesting to old and new readers like and one that can accommodate the varied plot twists and turns throughout a long-running series.

Sanders suggests cozy writers:

Create a community or setting --with natural features and changing dynamics that would naturally attract new people -- characters-- so you have storylines for a long-running series.

Drop in red herrings and clues for readers to follow throughout the book.

And, don't forget to add some humor or funny, odd characters.

You'll find these elements and others in Sander's books and these are the types of things she notices in real life too.

"The world is a fascinating place and everyone has stories," Sanders says.

In this far-reaching conversation Sanders shares her writing process, information about her advances and income, and how she creates a synopsis for each book for her publisher.

Angela M. Sanders also coaches writers. For more about her coaching and books go to https://angelamsanders.com/

And, join the Simply Write community at https://simplywrite.substack.com for more about writing craft, and crafting a writing life.

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