In this charming episode of the Authors on Mission podcast, host Danielle Hutchinson sits down with mystery author Karen C. Whalen to explore how her paralegal background, quirky real-life experiences, and love for coastal settings fuel her cozy mystery series.

From exploding potatoes to surf dogs and boat parades, Karen shares how she crafts relatable sleuths, balances humor with suspense, and keeps her plots tight using binders and character tracking systems. Her latest book Washed Up at Sea Oats Beach features a protagonist with social anxiety, adding depth and heart to the genre.

💡 Tips for aspiring mystery writers:

✅ Use personal experiences to spark plot twists

✅ Organize your series with character binders and timelines

✅ Join critique groups and listen to beta readers—they might even change your ending

✅ Write amateur sleuths with real challenges for added relatability

🎄 Sneak peek: Karen’s next Sea Oats Beach mystery is Christmas-themed—with a flotilla twist!

📚 Find her books on Amazon and theleadershiprecipe.com

🎙️ Listen now for cozy inspiration and writing wisdom

🔗 Connect with Karen:

http://karencwhalen.com

https://www.facebook.com/whalencozyauthor (author page)

https://twitter.com/whalenkc

https://www.instagram.com/karen_c_whalen_author/

https://www.pinterest.com/whalenkarenc

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karen-c-whalen

#AuthorsOnMission #KarenCWhalen #CozyMystery #SeaOatsBeachSeries #MysteryWritingTips #BetaReadersMatter #ChristmasMystery #PodcastForWriters