PHOTO: Jana DeLeon, bestselling mystery author, finds inspiration in her Louisiana roots and captivates readers with humor and thrilling twists.
Insight Into a Prolific Mystery Writer
Jana DeLeon shares how her Louisiana upbringing influences her mysteries, her organic writing process, and invaluable advice for aspiring authors.
Jana DeLeon—an author whose name resonates strongly with devoted readers of mystery and suspense—has cemented her place in the literary world as a true storytelling tour de force. With over 6 million books sold and the laurels of being a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, her tales have captivated imaginations far and wide. Born and raised in the atmospheric bayous of southwest Louisiana, Jana’s upbringing infused her work with authenticity, charm, and a vivid sense of place that is mirrored in the unforgettable settings of her novels.
Known widely for the beloved Miss Fortune Mysteries series, Jana combines humour, brilliant twists, and nail-biting suspense with a flair that keeps readers eagerly coming back for more. Her sharp wit and unique characters, including the unforgettable Fortune Redding, have become hallmarks of her signature style. Whether it be the quirky escapades of the “Swamp Team 3” or the atmospheric allure of the fictional Sinful, Louisiana, DeLeon’s works radiate the essence of the Deep South with a delightful warmth and a thrilling edge.
Jana DeLeon’s storytelling brilliance, relatable characters, and unique humor make her one of the most beloved mystery authors today.
In this issue, Jana DeLeon candidly shares childhood memories that shaped her creativity, offers behind-the-scenes insights into crafting her gripping tales, and provides invaluable advice for aspiring authors. Her passion for storytelling, coupled with her celebration of cultural identity, comes through vividly as she opens up about her inspirations and creative processes. Join us as we delve into the world of Jana DeLeon—a prolific writer whose tales brim with surprises, humour, and untameable spirit.
What inspired you to create the character of Fortune Redding and the unique setting of Sinful, Louisiana?
I grew up in southwest Louisiana among the alligators and the bayous. I moved to Dallas after college for work and then returned several years later for my grandmother’s funeral. While people watching at the service and the gathering afterward, I realized just how different Louisiana culture was compared to other places. The differences seemed glaring because I had been away for so long and I could see it the way an outsider would.
I’d always wanted to write fiction. I started writing stories in elementary school, but after that funeral, I decided it was finally time to pursue it seriously. I went back to Dallas, knowing I wanted to write about Louisiana and as a reader, mystery had always been my favorite genre. I knew I wanted a small bayou town and a multi-generational cast of characters. I then determined who would be the worst type of person to put in a fish-out-of-water scenario, settled on a CIA assassin akin to Lara Croft, and I started writing.
“I wanted a small bayou town and a multi-generational cast of characters.” – Jana DeLeon
How do you balance humour and suspense in your “Miss Fortune Mysteries” series?
Upsetting situations, like speaking with victims and their families, are dealt with seriously and empathetically. Humorous scenes occur separately from those intensely emotional moments. Anything goes during action scenes, especially when taking down the bad guy at the end.
Could you share any memorable experiences from your childhood in the bayous that influenced your writing?
My parents owned a camp (think rustic cabin) on a bayou off the Gulf of Mexico. You could only get there by boat. I spent a lot of my childhood there, fishing, crabbing, shrimping, and cruising the numerous channels with my brother in our boat. Every outing was a new adventure.
What is your writing process like when crafting a mystery with so many twists and turns?
This answer usually confounds people, but I don’t plot. Not even a tiny bit. I start with the crime and then develop the story as I write. I don’t know who the victim is, who the perpetrator is, or why they were killed. It all comes to me organically from the story. Every time I sit down at the keyboard, it’s a leap of faith that the story will come.
As an aspiring author, what advice would you give for creating compelling and relatable characters?
Empathy and self-sacrifice are the two most attractive qualities your characters can have. Character creation, to me, is the most important part of the story, even more so than the plot, and that’s saying a lot given that I write mysteries. But if readers don’t identify with your characters, then the plot is irrelevant. Characters are what readers remember long term and why they keep coming back to a series.
What tips would you offer to writers who are struggling to maintain consistency in a long-running series?
Take your time. Don’t rush to put a book out by a certain date because “they” said you need to release every six month or ten days or _____. I release a book when I’m satisfied that the story is right. I don’t set deadlines and don’t do preorders. The key to maintaining consistency is to give yourself the time needed to craft a story with the same style and voice over and over again. And to do so, you have to give yourself grace when life throws things at you that interfere with the creative process. So don’t set deadlines. If your series is long running, then you have an established readership. While they would love to have new stories quickly, they will also be fine waiting for the quality that has kept them reading this long.
Have you ever considered writing in a different genre, or do you plan to stick with mysteries?
I have written a psychological thriller series and currently have an ongoing romantic suspense series, but both are mystery adjacent. I was one of the launch authors for pushing paranormal women’s fiction into the public eye, but even that story contained a mystery. I guess I can’t help myself. I like twists and surprises when I’m reading stories, so it makes sense that I’d write them. Perhaps one day, when I semi-retire (I’m laughing right now), I would consider tinkering with other things. I am a big horror movie fan and would love to write a horror treatment. And there’s scraps of an epic fantasy that have lingered in the back of my mind for years, but world building is a big commitment. We’ll see.
How do you come up with the quirky and endearing personalities of the “Swamp Team 3”?
I grew up surrounded by so many “characters.” In the United States, Louisiana is often referred to as a different country because of the cultural differences compared to other states. It’s definitely unique, and so are its people. And growing up among the Cajuns and Creoles made for an interesting childhood. In the beginning, I took some of those personality traits and expanded them into complex characters. After the initial setup, additional characters were born from the story. I try to create characters that readers want to become, hang out with, or at least be present to see when they’re up to shenanigans.
