Author Interview with Sarah Burr

Sarah E. Burr is an award-winning cozy mystery author whose stories blend charm, clever twists, and millennial sparkle. A former healthcare IT professional, Sarah left the corporate world to write full-time and has since published more than twenty books. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, co-hosts A Bookish Moment, and loves connecting with readers through her Sleuthing Society.

How did you become a writer?

I began my publishing journey with a young adult fantasy trilogy I wrote in college (which got rejected). I kind of put writing on the back burner at that point and joined corporate America. After leaving a career in healthcare IT, I decided to take the leap and pursue writing full-time. Mysteries felt like such a natural fit for me because I love blending charm, community, humor, and just enough murder and mayhem to keep everyone on their toes.

Now, several series later, I feel incredibly lucky to spend my days creating fictional worlds filled with clever sleuths, suspicious neighbors, loyal friends, and the occasional opinionated pet.

What inspires you to write?I’m inspired by the idea of creating an escape for readers. Life can be stressful, messy, and unpredictable, so I love writing stories where readers can step into a charming town, meet characters who feel like friends, and trust that justice will be served by the final page.

I’m also inspired by community, both in real life and in fiction. Cozy mysteries let me explore friendships, found family, small-town secrets, and the ways people show up for each other. Add in a fun setting, a clever puzzle, and maybe an animal with main-character energy, and I’m ready to start writing.

How do you develop your plot and characters?For me, plot and character usually develop together. I often start with a setting or central “what if” question, then build outward from there. Who would be most affected by this mystery? Who has something to hide? Who has the most to lose?

My characters tend to grow as I write them. I like to know their emotional core before I get too far into the story. What do they want? What are they afraid of? What are they avoiding? Once I understand that, the mystery becomes more than just clues and suspects. It becomes personal.

I usually have a roadmap for the mystery, but I leave room for surprises. Sometimes a side character elbows their way onto the page and suddenly becomes much more important than planned. Honestly, I love it when that happens.

Could you share some of your challenges as a writer?One of my biggest challenges is balancing creativity with the business side of being an author. Writing the book is only one piece of the puzzle. There’s marketing, social media, newsletters, events, interviews, graphics, advertising, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes work readers may never see.

And, of course, there’s always the challenge of trusting the process. Some days, the words flow. Some days, they refuse to behave. I’ve learned that both are part of being a writer.

Tell me about your protagonist. What's your favorite trait and/or weakness?Coco Cline, the protagonist of my Trending Topic Mysteries, is a lifestyle influencer living in Central Shores, Delaware. She’s stylish, savvy, and very good at presenting a polished version of life online, but what I love most about Coco is that underneath the filters, captions, and curated content, she has a huge heart and a strong sense of justice.

One of the joys (and challenges) of writing Coco is navigating the ever-changing world of social media and technology. Influencer culture moves so quickly, and what feels trendy one minute can feel dated the next. I have to balance the fun, fast-paced energy of Coco’s online world with a mystery that will still feel engaging years from now.

My favorite trait of Coco’s is her loyalty. She loves her Sleuth Squad deeply and will do just about anything for the people she cares about. Her weakness is that she sometimes feels pressured to keep everything looking picture-perfect, even when her real life is anything but. That tension makes her such a fun character to write.

How does your antagonist create conflict?In cozy mysteries, I think the best antagonists create conflict by disrupting the world the protagonist cares about. They don’t just commit a crime. They unsettle the community, expose secrets, strain relationships, and force the sleuth to ask uncomfortable questions.

My antagonists often create conflict through deception. They hide behind charm, status, fear, or old grudges. The tension comes from figuring out not only who did it, but why they felt justified. I love exploring the gap between how people present themselves and what they’re truly capable of when pushed too far.

What are your current/future projects?I’m currently working on the next Glenmyre Whim Mystery, which brings readers back to Crucible, New York, for more candlelit charm, subtle magic, family bonds, and murder. This one has a festive, wintry atmosphere, which has been such a fun world to sink into.

I’m also continuing to grow the Book Blogger Mysteries and my fictional blog, What Spine is Yours, where The Wren gets to celebrate cozy mystery authors and characters in a really playful way. Beyond that, I’m always dreaming up new ways to expand my mystery worlds, whether through future books, bonus content, or new adventures for readers to enjoy.

Do you have a routine you follow when writing?I try to keep a flexible routine because every book and every season of life is a little different. In general, I like to write during the day when my mind is freshest, usually with coffee or tea nearby and my dogs providing moral support, or supervision, depending on their mood.

I tend to work best when I have clear goals, whether that’s a word count, a chapter, or a specific scene I want to finish. I also like to have a sense of where the story is headed before I sit down, even if the characters decide to take a scenic route.

I’m a big believer in creating an environment that invites creativity. A clean desk, a cozy drink, and a little bit of ambiance can go a long way.

If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what would it be?I would tell myself to get involved in the writing community sooner. Writing can be such a solitary pursuit, and it’s very easy to feel like you’re figuring everything out alone. But you don’t have to.

Whether it’s joining a critique group, becoming part of an organization like Sisters in Crime, attending conferences, or simply finding a group of writers who understand the strange, wonderful chaos of publishing, community matters. Those connections can offer encouragement, accountability, honest feedback, and friendship.

Finding your tribe is so important in this business. Other writers understand the highs, the rejections, the deadlines, the doubts, and the tiny victories that may not make sense to anyone else. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to push past the nerves, show up, and start building those relationships earlier. It makes the journey feel a lot less lonely.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?Don’t shut yourself away from the writing world. I know how tempting that can be, especially because so many of us are introverts. I’m one, too! Writing often feels like something we have to do alone, but building a circle of writer friends can make such a difference.

Find people who understand the process, the doubts, the weird search histories, the plot spirals, the rejection emails, and the joy of finally typing “The End.” Having other writers to commiserate with, celebrate with, and learn from will keep your spirits high in the most inspiring ways.

Of course, keep writing. Keep reading. Keep improving your craft. But don’t forget to find your people along the way. A good writing community can be just as important as a good notebook, a strong cup of coffee, and a stubborn belief in your story.

What is your preferred method for readers to get in touch with you?

I love connecting with readers online! Readers can find me on my website, social media, Substack, and YouTube. I’m always happy to hear from fellow mystery lovers, bookworms, and members of the Sleuthing Society!

·       Substack: https://substack.com/@saraheburrbooks

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsaraheburr/

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraheburrbooks/

Sarah’s Sleuthing Society: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1719769848982143

Website:www.saraheburr.com

Newsletter:https://saraheburrbooks.substack.com/subscribe