PHOTO: Jana DeLeon, bestselling author, channels bayou adventures and Louisiana culture into her gripping, humorous, and unforgettable mysteries.
Exploring Her Creative Process, Louisiana Roots, and Beloved Characters
Jana DeLeon discusses her passion for mysteries, the cultural inspiration behind her work, her organic writing process, and offers advice for aspiring authors on creating compelling characters and lasting stories.
Jana DeLeon is a name that mystery and suspense readers have come to love. With over 6 million books sold and accolades as a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, she has carved a unique space in the literary world. Her writing, renowned for its humor, gripping twists, and unforgettable characters, is deeply rooted in her childhood among the bayous of southwest Louisiana. In an exclusive interview with Reader’s House Magazine, DeLeon shared the inspirations behind her acclaimed works, delved into her creative process, and offered insights to aspiring authors.
A Unique Setting and Memorable Characters
DeLeon revealed that the character of Fortune Redding and the town of Sinful, Louisiana, were born out of her cultural connection to her roots. Growing up in the bayous, she experienced firsthand the vibrant and distinct culture of Louisiana. Her return to the area after spending time away highlighted those unique cultural differences, inspiring her to center her stories around life in a small southern town.
Jana DeLeon is a masterful storyteller whose rich characters, sharp wit, and captivating mysteries have enchanted readers worldwide.
“I wanted a small bayou town and a multi-generational cast of characters,” DeLeon explained. To create contrast and introduce humor, she placed a CIA assassin like Fortune, who feels utterly out of place, into this intimate and quirky setting. Her ability to craft characters who are both endearing and dynamic is part of what makes her Miss Fortune Mysteries series a fan favorite.
When asked about the colorful trio known as the “Swamp Team 3,” DeLeon credited the lively personalities she encountered growing up among Cajuns and Creoles. “Louisiana is often referred to as a different country because it is so culturally unique,” she said. Many characters were born from traits she observed as a child, which were then expanded into complex personalities that readers can’t help but fall in love with.
Balancing Humor and Suspense
One of the trademarks of DeLeon’s writing is the seamless fusion of humor and suspense. In her Miss Fortune Mysteries series, DeLeon balances these elements by ensuring that comedic moments never overshadow the gravity of serious situations. “Upsetting situations, like speaking with victims and their families, are dealt with seriously and empathetically. Humorous scenes occur separately from those intensely emotional moments,” she said.
The controlled interplay between light-hearted antics and edge-of-your-seat thrills is a skill that has allowed DeLeon to maintain consistent appeal in her writing. Action sequences, in particular, offer room for humor while delivering the satisfaction of “taking down the bad guy.”
Organic Creative Process
Despite the intricate twists and turns her mysteries are known for, DeLeon doesn’t plot her stories in advance. “This answer usually confounds people, but I don’t plot. Not even a tiny bit,” she admitted. For her, every session at the keyboard begins with a leap of faith, as the story unfolds organically and reveals itself as she writes.
This adventurous approach gives her stories a sense of spontaneity and surprise, characteristics that keep readers engaged and guessing until the very end.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
For those hoping to follow in her footsteps, DeLeon highlighted the importance of relatable characters and giving them depth. “Empathy and self-sacrifice are the two most attractive qualities your characters can have,” she said. Characters, she emphasized, are even more important than the plot itself because “characters are what readers remember long term and why they keep coming back to a series.”
DeLeon also stressed the need to avoid rushing a story just to meet deadlines. “Take your time,” she advised. She releases books only when she feels confident that the story is complete and of high quality. “If your series is long-running, your readership is established. They would love new stories quickly but will be fine waiting for the quality that has kept them reading this long.”
Looking to the Future
While DeLeon has also written psychological thrillers and romantic suspense, she admitted that she always comes back to mystery. “I guess I can’t help myself,” she said, laughing. The thrill of twists and surprises in storytelling is something she enjoys both as a reader and a writer.
Still, she remains open to exploring other genres in the future. A self-professed fan of horror films, she hopes to someday try her hand at writing a horror treatment or even an epic fantasy. For now, though, mystery remains her passion and creative playground.
The Legacy of Jana DeLeon
DeLeon’s childhood adventures in a boat on the bayous, her deep connection to her Louisiana roots, and her unique perspective on humor and suspense have shaped her into one of the most iconic voices in contemporary mystery writing. As she continues to write compelling stories and develop unforgettable characters, her fans eagerly await the next twist-filled journey into the towns and lives she creates.
Jana DeLeon’s commitment to quality storytelling and her ability to balance humor with mystery ensure her place in the hearts of readers for years to come.
Source: Interview with Reader’s House Magazine
