Interview // Author Cy Wyss

From your About page you mention that you always knew you would be a writer. Did you have a specific genre in mind or to just write what came to you?

My father loved mysteries, so he read me Nancy Drew before bed when I was growing up. I think I knew from then on that I would write mysteries. However, my training is in pretty classic literature, so I also like to write more literary pieces. Other genres I like are science fiction and thrillers/suspense. Mystery has been in my mind since I was little, but I’ve branched out since then.

Could you see yourself writing a book or series outside of the mystery genre you current books seem to align with? If so, what other genres could you see yourself writing?

I could definitely see a sci-fi series. In fact, I’ve got one about a race known as the Vu’or in which men outnumber women 100 to one. There are two factions — one where men rule, and one where women rule. I’ve been writing on it for a few years and sooner or later it’ll come to be some kind of publishable series.

What was your most satisfying moment while writing your latest novel, An Eye for a Lie?

A couple of summers ago when I finished An Eye for a Lie, I was so excited with the characters and the setup that I wrote 50,000 or so words of an “apocrypha,” which is basically me writing fan fiction about my own stuff. I will probably release it as a perk for signing up to my newsletter. I was very into the characters and just couldn’t stop writing about Vessa and Richter.

While writing, did you find that An Eye for a Lie stayed along your intended path?

Almost nothing I write stays in line with any outline I write. I tend to think of the first draft, where I’m getting to know the characters and their issues and environment, as an outline — subsequent rewrites are then written with the first draft in mind, but might even stray greatly from that first draft. I’m really a “pantser” in that I fly by the seat of my pants during the drafting and planning stages and just write about the world and my characters until they make sense to me. Then, I can massage the manuscript into some kind of coherent plot.

Do you have a favorite character from your books? Why this specific character?

I like Richter a lot. He is an interesting character — moody and almost bipolar. Yet, his heart is in the right place and he strives for justice in everything he does. His augmentations make him interesting as well. It turns out that just because you can detect (most) lies, that doesn’t necessarily give you much of an edge, because our system is predicated upon proof. He has the same trials as everyone else to get that proof.

If you could only recommend one of your books to readers, which one would it be and why?

I would always recommend the latest one because I am constantly improving my writing. In this case, it is An Eye for a Lie. With every book, my prose gets smoother, my characters more believable, and my setting more lifelike. I never stand still — I’m always reaching for better craft and implementation.

If you only had one sentence to capture a new reader for your books, what would it be?

What happens when you give a man an augmentation that puts him above his fellow crime fighters but comes with an unavoidable price?

Do you have a favorite genre you like to read?

I love reading murder mysteries. It’s always been my favorite genre.

Can you tell us your favorite book and why?

My favorite literary book is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. My favorite mystery is Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. My favorite science fiction is Ursula K. LeGuin’s The Left Hand of Darkness. All wonderful, wonderful stories.

What one book do you recommend that every mystery genre lover read (not including your books)?

Agathat Christie’s And Then There Were None. It’s really brilliant. Either that, or The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, which is also a supreme classic.

Of course we have to know, what is in-store next – books, events, etc.?

In August I’ll be releasing Eyeshine II, and in October Eyeshine III. I’ll be doing PICT tours for both of those as well, so watch out for me in the fall!

The author has a question for you! Answer in the comments below!

Thanks so much for hosting me. A question for the reader: what is your favorite type of mystery character? A spunky female detective? A hardened male FBI officer? Why?

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Cy Wyss. There will be 2 winners of one (1) Amazon.com Gift Card each. The giveaway begins on May 27, 2019 and runs through July 29, 2019. Void where prohibited.

Cy Wyss is a writer based in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has a Ph.D. in computer science and her day job involves wrangling and analyzing genetic data. Cy is the author of three full-length novels as well as a collection of short stories and the owner and chief editor of Nighttime Dog Press, LLC.

Before studying computer science, Cy obtained her undergraduate degree in mathematics and English literature as well as masters-level degrees in philosophy and artificial intelligence. She studied overseas for three years in the UK, although she never managed to develop a British accent.

Cy currently resides in Indianapolis with her husband, daughter, and two obstreperous but lovable felines. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, and walking 5k races to benefit charity.

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