Sometimes, writing takes us down unexpected roads—roads we might not have planned for but somehow feel like they were meant to be explored. This happened to me when I ventured into writing a cozy mystery, a genre I had never imagined myself writing. The process was as surprising as it was rewarding. Here’s a glimpse into that journey, told through the lens of how a love for family history, the healing traditions of mountain women, and my need for a creative escape led me to a whole new writing adventure.
The Unexpected Beginnings
I’ve always been fascinated by family history and stories passed down through generations. During my time in graduate school, while working on my poetry collection Break in the Field, I began another project that felt completely different. I started researching my great-great-grandfather’s book The Thrilling Adventures of Daniel Ellis, published in 1867. This book chronicles his role as a “pilot” during the Civil War—guiding soldiers through the Appalachian mountains and over Union lines.
The more I dug into his story, the more intrigued I became by the people who had lived in those rugged mountains: particularly the “Appalachian Granny Women.” These were women who served as midwives, healers, and caretakers of the dead in isolated communities. Their quiet strength and resilience made an impression on me that would later become the heart of my cozy mystery novel.
As a child, I spent summers visiting my grandparents—one set in the lush mountains of East Tennessee and the other on a tobacco farm in North Carolina. Of all my relatives, the one who stood out the most was my grandmother’s sister, Hazel. She lived alone in a house nestled on the side of a mountain, just down the hill from the Ellis Family Cemetery. Hazel was a Granny Woman, and I was captivated by the stories of her life and her role in the community. Those summers would come to shape the novel I never expected to write.
The Cozy Mystery Epiphany
If you asked me a few years ago whether I’d ever write a cozy mystery, I probably would have laughed. As much as I love reading mysteries, they were always more of an escape than an inspiration. Cozy mysteries, in particular, are my guilty pleasure. These stories, often set in picturesque small towns, feature amateur sleuths, quirky characters, and the most charming businesses like bakeries or coffee shops. They usually involve a murder (of course!) but in a way that feels comforting, almost whimsical, like a puzzle waiting to be solved. Think Murder She Wrote meets Agatha Christie.
After finishing Break in the Field, a book that had taken a lot out of me emotionally, I found myself craving something lighter. My soul needed a break from the heavy weight of reality. So, I decided to try something completely different: writing a mystery novel. A cozy mystery, to be precise.
The Spark of Inspiration
The idea of a murder mystery set in a small town in East Tennessee came to me as a natural extension of my family’s history. The Granny Witch Chronicles (working title) quickly took shape. The story would center on a family of “Granny Women”—women who possessed unique, almost mystical talents, passed down through generations. The youngest of these women, who had always struggled with her intuitive abilities, begins to realize that her gifts might be better suited for something more extraordinary: solving murders.
I loved the idea of blending the gothic, eerie atmosphere of the Appalachian mountains with the more whimsical, lighthearted tone of a cozy mystery. The result would be a Southern Gothic meets Cozy Mystery hybrid—think ghost stories with a sense of humor and a dash of charm.
The Unexpected Journey of Writing
I started writing the mystery novel two years ago, but after publishing my poetry collection, I found myself in a creative slump. I didn’t write a single word for almost a year. I needed to step back, reset, and let the story simmer in the back of my mind. Four months ago, I finally picked the manuscript back up. I read through what I’d already written, tossed a few chapters, and completely rewrote the opening.
Now, I’m almost done with the first draft. The journey from idea to execution has been anything but linear, but it’s been rewarding. There’s something uniquely freeing about writing a genre that isn’t bogged down by the weight of reality. Cozy mysteries allow me to play with the tension between lighthearted fun and darker undertones, all while building a world that feels both familiar and fantastical.
Why This Path Was Worth Taking
This detour into cozy mystery writing might seem like a drastic shift from my usual work, but it’s exactly what I needed. Writing this book has allowed me to tap into different aspects of my creativity—combining elements of family history, Appalachian folklore, and the kind of suspenseful intrigue that only a good mystery can provide.
The Granny Witch Chronicles has become more than just a story—it’s an exploration of how we carry the past with us, how the things we inherit—whether it’s a talent, a name, or a legacy—can shape our future in unexpected ways. And yes, it’s also a fun and sometimes funny story about a woman in a small town solving mysteries and discovering the power of her own gifts.
So, to anyone out there considering taking an unexpected turn in their own writing journey, I say go for it. Sometimes the best stories come when we allow ourselves to stray from the path we thought we’d be on and embrace the unknown. Who knows? You might just find yourself writing a cozy mystery one day—and loving every moment of it.
