I’d like to welcome author, Justin M. Kiska, to the blog for #WriterWedneday.

Things you love about writing: The challenge of coming up with creative storylines and (for my interactive murder mystery events) over-the-top suspects. While I want my novels to be clever, I want my live mystery events to be funny.

Things you hate about writing: The pressure I can put on myself. Some days are easy and I can just sit down and write for hours and everything comes out great. Other days, the words just don’t come and I start to wonder what I’m doing wrong.

Favorite foods: My absolute favorite food is pizza. I can eat a full five course meal, leave the restaurant, walk by a pizza shop, and immediately crave a piece of pepperoni and extra cheese. If pizza isn’t an option, give me a greasy, gooey bacon cheeseburger and I’ll be happy. As much as I love pizza and burgers, I do eat much healthier. My doctor insisted on it.

Things that make you want to gag: Peppers. Green, red, it doesn’t matter the color or type. I hate peppers.

Favorite music or song: As a theatre producer, I listen to showtunes all the time. Thankfully, I like showtunes. I always have. I’m also a fan of oldies. Golden oldies from the ‘50s and ‘60s -- to be precise. I realize the definition of “oldies” is changing.

Music that drives you crazy: I wish I could say I was one of those people that liked all music. But I’m not. County music just isn’t my thing.

Favorite beverage: Caramel iced coffee. I’m addicted.
Something that gives you a sour face: If you heated up that iced coffee. I won’t touch regular hot coffee. What can I say? I’m a puzzle.

Something you’re really good at: Sarcasm. I have an advanced degree.

Something you’re really bad at: Making pancakes. I burn them. I always burn them.

The last thing you ordered online: An antique Prince of Diamonds candlestick from 1885 to match the one used in the movie Clue. It’s my favorite movie and I’m putting together my own collection of weapons to exactly match the ones used in the film.

The last thing you regret buying: I regret nothing! Nothing!

Things to say to an author: “I enjoyed reading your latest book.”

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: “If I’d written the book, I would have . . .”

Favorite places you’ve been: I love traveling. If I could live on a cruise ship, I’d be in Heaven. For the history, I love London. For the scenery, I love Italy. For the energy, I love New York City.

Places you never want to go to again: New Orleans in the summer. I loved New Orleans, but it was so hot. Soooooooooooo hot.

Favorite books (or genre): Even though so much of my work revolves around mysteries, I’m a sucker for a good who dunnit? Cozy, historical, it doesn’t matter. Give me a good detective story any day.

Books you wouldn’t buy: Young adult fantasy fiction. My wife reads it all the time and I . . . I just can’t

The coolest person you’ve ever met: I’m a political/news junkie and had always planned on going into government when I was growing up, so having been able to work for Elizabeth Dole for two years was incredible. I learned so much from her and got to meet so many of my political heroes. I realize politicians aren’t necessarily “cool” but people like Elizabeth and Bob Dole and Jack Kemp were some of the best public servants from a different generation. I also enjoyed meeting Martin Short. The man’s a comedic genius and so nice.

The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video: Christie Brinkley. She was stunning, but she just didn’t look like Christie Brinkley for some reason.

About Justin:

JUSTIN M. KISKA

When not sitting in his library devising new and clever ways to kill people (for his mysteries), Justin can usually be found at The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, outside of Washington, DC, where he is one of the owners and producers. In addition to writing the Parker City Mysteries Series, he is also the mastermind behind Marquee Mysteries, a series of interactive mystery events he has been writing and producing for over fifteen years. Justin and his wife, Jessica, live along Lake Linganore outside of Frederick, Maryland.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: www.JustinKiska.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/JMKiska

Twitter: www.twitter.com/justinkiska

GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/justinkiska