Why I Write Fantasy - Kris Neri

Welcome, Kris Neri, Mystery writer who has come over to the world of fantasy 

Tell me, why do you write fantasy,

Kris: Nothing is as much fun for me as a writer as imagining what could exist in our world, and actually putting it there. Such as the dolphins my character, Annabelle Haggerty, talks to, who really save things in HIGH CRIMES ON THE MAGICAL PLANE. Or the dragonfly that transports Samantha, when Marshall Law is declared and she can't leave the house. Magic doesn't make things easier - it actually complicates stories. But a writer can come up with the most amazing solutions using it. It's make-believe for grown-ups. I think it was a big mistake on our parts to give it up when we grew up.

Amber: As an author and a bookseller, why do you think readers love fantasy?

Kris: Readers love it for the same reasons writers do. Because nothing takes us out of this world as well. We all know this is a pretty tough world to live in today. And fantasy takes us away from it. What's not to like?

Amber: Would you still write fantasy even if no one read it?

Kris: A writer never has a guarantee about what will sell. I write what I love to write, and what I'd love to read. I've been very fortunate that my books have all been published, and I've garnered lots of readers. But I never know.

Amber: Thanks, Kris, for visiting Wordshaping.

Kris Neri latest book is the Lefty Award-nominated HIGH CRIMES ON THE MAGICAL PLANE, featuring fake psychic Samantha Brennan and genuine Celtic goddess/FBI agent, Annabelle Haggerty.

Kris also writes the award-winning Tracy Eaton mysteries, including the latest, REVENGE FOR OLD TIMES' SAKE. She's published some sixty short stories and is a two-time Derringer Award winner and a two-time Pushcart Prize nominee for her short fiction. With her husband, Kris owns The Well Red Coyote bookstore in Sedona, AZ.

Books by Kris Neri

HIGH CRIMES ON THE MAGICAL PLANE The First Samantha Brennan & Annabelle Haggerty Supernatural Mystery - Featuring fake psychic Samantha Brennan & genuine Celtic Goddess-FBI Agent Annabelle Haggerty. Read an excerpt

REVENGE OF THE GYPSY QUEEN The First Tracy Eaton Mystery. Featuring Tracy Eaton, mystery writer, detective wannabe and the offspring of eccentric Hollywood stars.

DEM BONES' REVENGE The Second Tracy Eaton Mystery. 
REVENGE FOR OLD TIMES' SAKE The Third Book in the Multi Award-nominated Tracy Eaton Mystery Series. So much fun, it ought to be a crime! 

NEVER SAY DIE Featuring enigmatic triathlete Zoey Morgan.
What Zoey doesn't understand about her own past could get her killed. 
THE ROSE IN THE SNOW TALES OF MISCHIEF AND MAYHEM. A collection of thirteen of my short stories...some are new, some are my old favorites, and two are Derringer Award winners.

Read excerpts and learn more about Kris Neri and her books.

Kris blogs at Femmes Fatales, Ferociously talented women dedicated to the fine art of crime fiction.