Crafting Mysteries and Melodies
J.T. Kunkel discusses his transition from cancer survivor to mystery novelist, the influence of
music on his writing, and balancing a finance career with creative pursuits.
J. T. Kunkel’s journey from battling stage three melanoma to becoming a celebrated author is nothing short of inspiring. With a career that spans high finance and the arts, Kunkel has defied the odds, not only surviving a life-threatening illness but thriving in its aftermath. His resilience and determination have fueled his passion for writing, leading to the creation of the beloved Miranda Marquette cozy mystery series. Kunkel’s ability to weave intricate plots with relatable characters has captivated readers, earning him a dedicated following and critical acclaim. His works are a testament to the power of storytelling, offering readers both entertainment and a deeper exploration of human emotions and relationships.
In this interview , J.T. Kunkel shares insights into his creative process, the influence of his musical background on his writing, and the personal experiences that have shaped his narratives. From the vibrant setting of New Orleans in “Blood on the Bayou” to the complex family dynamics that drive his stories, Kunkel’s novels are rich tapestries of mystery and emotion. As he prepares to launch a new series, Kunkel reflects on his journey and offers valuable advice for aspiring writers balancing creative pursuits with demanding careers. Join us as we delve into the mind of a remarkable author whose life and work continue to inspire.
As a lifetime singer/songwriter, how has your background in music influenced your approach to writing fiction, particularly in crafting the narrative and characters in Blood on the Bayou?
While the final product is very different between a song-writer and a novelist, the process is very similar. The goal of a songwriter is to allow the listener to get into the writer’s head, to feel what he feels, or in this case, what I feel. When I write a novel, I strive for the reader to experience the same thing. While Blood on the Bayou is a cozy mystery, it is also about relationships and family. When Miranda found out that her parents had been lying to her much of her life, I was striving for the reader to feel similar emotions to what she felt, hurt, betrayal, confused, and let down.
Your journey into novel writing began after completing a memoir about contracting Stage three Melanoma. How did this experience shape your writing process and the themes you explore in your fiction work?
Probably the most important one was developing my comfort with writing in first person. My memoir was very personal and written strictly from my point of view. When I began writing fiction, it seemed only natural to write from the same point of view. Despite the fact that my protagonists are females, I still feel that my characters are very believable and credible. My themes also often involve family, friends, and relationships, so I believe that they are more relatable than many cozy mystery series that focus more on crime solving, which sometimes in my books is secondary to the plot.
Blood on the Bayou introduces readers to Miranda Marquette, a self-made millionaire and ex-undercover vice cop. What inspired you to create such a multifaceted protagonist, and how did you develop her character throughout the story?
I wanted a protagonist who was almost bigger than life, and that was how Miranda began the series. She was quirky, a bit lonely, self-centered and not very relatable. After all, how many of us have been a cop, retired, started our own company, made millions, moved to Malibu, and lived a life others would kill for? As we get to know Miranda, however, as the series progresses, we find that, perhaps, all is not what it seems in paradise, and perhaps she’d even be better off without the trappings of Hollywood. I’ve always been attracted to rags to riches to rags stories, because what happens next is what really matters.
The setting of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast plays a significant role in your book. How does the location influence the mood and events in Blood on the Bayou, and what drew you to set your mystery novel in this region?
New Orleans has always been a contradiction to me, although I haven’t spent a lot of time there. People travel there in throngs every February to drink too much, party too much, and well, do a lot of things too much. But, any pictures I’ve ever seen of people at Mardi Gras, they’ve never seemed truly happy to me. When Miranda went home to the Gulf Coast, she hadn’t been there in years. She had been avoiding it, partially because she felt guilty for not coming home to help after the devastation left by Katrina, but partially because she had never healed from her broken family. Making a trip home brought all those feelings to center stages and made her deal with them once and for all, only to have new revelations come to light. And as if that wasn’t enough, she became the target of a murder investigation she should have been investigating. Only in New Orleans.
Miranda’s investigation uncovers many family secrets, including one that changes her relationship with her cousin Sabine forever. How do themes of family and hidden truths drive the narrative, and what do you hope readers take away from these elements?
Miranda left her family when she was barely eighteen. She has been fighting the demons of her guilt for years, feeling like she should try to mend fences, but not knowing how. When her mother gives her the ‘news’ about Sabine, she is so angry, she can barely see straight. But, when the dust settles, it all starts to make sense, why she never felt like she belonged in her family, like something was always missing. And while at first, it seemed like the worst news she had ever heard but when the anger drifted away, it all began to make sense, and she felt peace for the first time in years. My hope for readers, through understanding the realization that Miranda finally came to, is that sometimes you have to see a bad situation through to come to the conclusion why it’s all happening, and sometimes you realize that it’s not all that bad. Sometimes we avoid inevitable bad news for years not knowing that we will find peace on the other side, and we just need to take the first step. Miranda’s first step was that flight to New Orleans.
Balancing a career in high finance with your passion for writing must be challenging. How do you manage your time and energy between these two demanding roles, and what advice would you give to others looking to pursue their creative dreams while maintaining a day job?
Time management has come relatively easily for me. I don’t watch a lot of TV, so there are usually a couple of free hours in the evening if I choose to write. Depending on the time of year, I may write more days of the week than others, but my goal is to write a thousand words a day, which usually translates into an hour or two. I’m lucky in that I don’t need a lot of preparation to write, I just sit down, and the creative energy just seems to flow. I understand it doesn’t work that way for everyone. And when you do the math, if I write faithfully every day, I can finish a 75,000-word novel in less than two months. My fastest book came in a little under four weeks. That was book one of my new series, but that was unusual.
