Blending Life On The Road With Murder Mysteries, Sheryl C.D. Ickes Creates Stories That Are Both Thrilling And Heartfelt
Sheryl C.D. Ickes shares how her trucking and cake-decorating experiences inspire her cozy mysteries, discusses character development, and reveals her creative process for crafting engaging, suspenseful stories.
Sheryl C.D. Ickes is a storyteller who masterfully blends her rich life experiences with her passion for crafting compelling mysteries. With a background as unique as hers—spanning two decades of cake decorating and years spent driving cross-country in a tractor trailer—Sheryl brings a fresh and authentic voice to the cozy mystery genre. Her ability to weave intricate plots with relatable, well-rounded characters has earned her accolades and a devoted readership. Whether she’s introducing readers to the charming yet perilous world of cake decorating in her “Slice of Life Mysteries” or taking them on a thrilling ride through America’s highways in her “Becky and Rufus Cross Country Mystery” series, Sheryl’s work is a testament to her creativity, wit, and deep understanding of human nature. It’s no surprise that her books have been recognized as winners and finalists in the Cozy Mystery category, solidifying her place as a standout author in the genre.
In this exclusive interview, Sheryl shares insights into her writing process, the inspiration behind her unique characters, and the fascinating worlds she creates. From the small-town charm of Creek Water, Pennsylvania, to the open roads of Tennessee, her stories transport readers to places filled with intrigue, humor, and heart. Join us as we delve into the mind of an author who has redefined cozy mysteries, offering readers not only a gripping whodunit but also a glimpse into the lives of truck drivers, cake decorators, and the communities they call home.
Death of a Dispatcher, like many in the world of cozies, introduces a fun mystery set within a small-town. What inspired you to create the character of Becky Bridgewater, and how did you pick her unique profession of being a cross-country truck driver?
I grew up with a love of trucking. My dad was an owner operator (someone who owns the truck he also drives) and a mechanic. He taught me to drive truck because I asked him to after years of going along with him on his different trips whenever possible. I also like to drive and to travel. Dad was a local driver, basically delivering and picking up in any state that bordered Pennsylvania and a few beyond, making it possible to be home every night. Years ago, my husband and I were a cross-country truck driving team. Since only one person can drive at a time, if I wasn’t sleeping or checking out the scenery, I would read. Cozy murder mysteries are my favorite genre. I felt that trucking and cozies could be blended together nicely. This way one could avoid killing off half of a small town as the series continues and I could introduce people to some wonderful truck drivers and different states and small towns. I haven’t read nor found any cozies with this profession, so I believe it’s rather unique.
The balance between suspense and character development is crucial when building a compelling mystery read. How do you approach the concept of establishing depth within your cast of characters, while trying not to overburden the novel from too much backstory?
I like to write similar to how I like to read, meaning not a lot of details upon details upon details. Once I write a story, I reread it looking for a multitude of different issues; one of which is if I provided enough character development without too much. I want readers to understand who each character is without becoming bored, hopefully I strike the correct balance.
Small towns often have a charm and secrecy about them, which plays a role in Death of a Dispatcher. How does the setting of Tennessee add to the atmosphere of your story, and how does it differentiate from any upcoming installments in the series?
No two states in the United States of America are the same, each having its own charms and issues. Tennessee is a wonderful state with gorgeous scenery, rich history, and great people. Southern USA is also very different from the North in numerous ways: food, speed of life, humor, and folklore to name a few. I try to draw from each state’s assets as I write and incorporate its differences. Each of my books will be placed in a different state and follow the journey of my cross-country trucking team of Becky and Rufus Bridgewater.
Each author has their own process in developing their mysteries. Whether it be through pasting notecards in order, writing out an outline, or filing small scraps of ideas into a folder for a later time, no two authors give the exact same answer. Can you share with us a little bit of how you organize your notes into an engaging novel full of twists and turns?
I begin with an idea swirling in my head and a mental running of the storyline until I find a viable, plausible story. I may, or may not, write a few notes before just sitting down, and starting a mystery story, usually on my laptop. Once I’ve started, if I have numerous storylines running concurrently throughout a novel, I will use a day-to-day timeline to lay out the different storylines so that no one event occurs before it realistically should. Family and work have a tendency to slow down my progress, which I am definitely okay with, but the story keeps intruding in my thoughts. Therefore, when any kind of idea comes to mind, I write it down so I don’t forget it. When I get back to my computer, I sometimes chuckle at the pile of napkins, receipts, scraps of paper, and backs of envelopes I have collected. I write what I know and experience, so anything I see, hear, smell, and even taste could end up in a book. Since one cannot always write depending on the activity, I also record voice memos on my cell phone, so that would also be considered part of the “note pile” when I get back to the computer. My way may not be for everyone, and is definitely a bit messy, but I believe it works for me and hopefully readers like the end result.
As an author, what do you hope readers take away from Death of a Dispatcher, and is there anything you would like them to know before diving into your story?
I know that there are quite a few misconceptions about trucking and truck drivers. I would like readers to enjoy my stories, and maybe see trucking from a different perspective. There are some great people out on the roads driving every day, and for many different reasons. I will also be honest, and state there is that small percentage, as in all professions, that can ruin it for the majority. Trucking can be fun, but it also has its share of danger. I believe that my stories based on my experience, and that of my husband and friends, can add some insight into trucking, while my imagination in creating the murder mystery part of my stories can combine to hopefully make an enjoyable read for all.
