And our Sue's Clues Mystery Author is:

Photo www.nancythayer.com/

Our Mystery Author this round is Nancy Thayer. Nancy has been writing since 1980 and has brought us wonderful stories, including a unique series called The Hot Flash Club. She lives on the island of Nantucket, where she is able to gaze out at the beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean as she writes. Below, Nancy talks to us about living on an island, her family and writing.

When you are done, visit Nancy at her website: http://nancythayer.com/

Thanks, Nancy!

1. You've lived all over the world. Aside from where you grew up and live now, what was your favorite location? Why?

Vancouver. No, wait! Amsterdam. No—Milwaukee. No—Boston. I can't decide! The world is so beautiful. I do like being near large bodies of water where there are magnificent historical buildings and of course, good libraries! Of course now all I want to do is be anywhere my grandchildren are.

2. You now live on Nantucket Island. That sounds very cool. What is it like? It must present certain challenges? Is this a very populated island?

Nantucket is 14 miles long, 3 miles wide and 30 miles away from the mainland. In the winter, the population is around 12,000. In the summer, it rockets up to 50,000 summer people. We have no chains—no McDonald's, no Burger King, no Dairy Queen, no malls, and only one very tiny movie theater. You can get here only by boat or plane, and if there's a gale force wind, which there often is this far out, you can't get on or off at all. One winter the entire Nantucket Sound between here and Hyannis froze over and no ferries—which bring us food, fuel, and so on—could get over. Planes flew over with bread and milk. Go to youtube and search Nancy Thayer for very short videos of what our ferry looks like and what the town and library look like. It is beautiful here and has a great library.

3. I googled a map of your island and it looks like you are on the front line for storms! Does it get very scary out there?

Yes, it does get scary out here, especially during hurricane season. However, year-rounders as we're called, love storms. We go out in the worst weather and stand on the beaches and watch the wind whirl the sea into fantastic towers. I've watched the waves rise up and crash down over houses, destroying them, dragging them out into the deep. The good thing was that no one lived there, these were summer cottages right on the beach. Usually that doesn't happen. I believe most of us here are nature-lovers and feel exhilarated by the elemental power of the storms.

4. Your first book was published in 1980. What changes have you seen over the years in publishing?

Oh, my goodness! So many changes. Technology is responsible, and like everything, the changes are a mixed blessing. I work on a computer, which I adore. I get email from my readers and send out a newsletter to my readers, and that contact is so fulfilling to me, and something I couldn't have done before. I can email my entire manuscript to my editor with a flick of a finger. In 1980, I had to carry it down to a copy machine, copy it, package it, and take it to the post office. Now it's instantaneous. Technology's also making it possible to buy books online, which is good, except that it has caused the demise of many independent bookstores. There aren't as many small personal book events—but now there are new ways to connect, like your site!

5. How has your writing changed/evolved over the years? Do you find it easier to write than when you first started?

I think my writing style has become a bit less contemplative and more fast-paced. In my Hot Flash Club series, I discovered I enjoyed being funny. Maybe it's just that the subject is so inherently humorous. I do find it easier to write than when I first started because I have faith in myself. But I still rewrite and rewrite as much, if not more, and that always makes me growl! :)

6. I see that your daughter has published a book as well. It must be rather exciting to have another author in the family.

Thank you for mentioning her. My daughter, Samantha Wilde, published her first novel, THIS LITTLE MOMMY STAYED HOME, last year, and next year she comes out with I'LL TAKE WHAT SHE HAS. She's very funny, and I'm extremely proud of her. She also has 2 small children and is pregnant with her 3rd! Plus, she teaches yoga. Where does she get her energy? Oh, right, she's young. We're all readers in our family, and Sam and I have always exchanged ideas. I can phone her and ask about a character's motivation, or she'll call me with a question. Or we email. On Thanksgiving, Sam was pregnant, and changing her son's diaper, and I was helping, and we were talking about her book contract, and I suddenly thought: Goodness, I'm in heaven! She has a great blog. If you're ever feeling low, check it out. She's a blast of positive energy.

7. Of the books you've written, is there one that holds a special place for you?

I could stay STEPPING, because that was my first published novel, or THE HOT FLASH CLUB, because that was a first in its own way, or SUMMER HOUSE, because I used my father's WWII letters to my mother, or BEACHCOMBERS, because it's my "new baby" or the one I'm working on now. . .do you think I have trouble making decisions?

8. Tell us about some of the fan mail you receive. I imagine you get some interesting feed back particularly for The Hot Flash Club series.

I get lots of email asking for sequels to books, especially for The Hot Flash Club series, but already for BEACHCOMBERS. The odd truth is that in the publishing world, the more copies of any and all books that sell, the more likely sequels to any will be published. I work with an editor, a sales team, and very savvy publishers who work hard to get my books out there to the public and they make the decision about sequels.

As you say, the most touching and hilarious feedback comes for The Hot Flash Club series. Women tell me they share these books with their mothers and their daughters, because all women have to deal with physical changes and moments when our bodies drive us absolutely nuts. Sometimes young women, even in their 20's, are thrown into early menopause by their bodies. How unfair! Some women are melancholy about the changes, but most readers seem to be vigorous with life and love for the world and ready to take on a new phase.

9. Tell us about your new release, BEACHCOMBERS.

BEACHCOMBERS is about three sisters in their twenties who find their lives changed during one turbulent, exhilarating summer. Abbie, Emma, and Lily grew up on Nantucket with a lovely and odd mother who died when they were young. The three sisters are trying to figure out their own lives at a time when their father has rented out what was once their playhouse and is now a cottage to a sensual woman, Marina, who has experienced losses of her own. Their father is attracted to Marina, and they feel threatened by this. They're also struggling to make a living and taking on unusual jobs with their little company Nantucket Mermaids. And of course, they're meeting and falling in love with men, who might or might not be be the "right' man.

BEACHCOMBERS is about how we change in life—because I firmly believe we can change. It's a romantic book is many senses of the word, because summer on this island is full of romance.