Ask the Author: Lisa Masiello
Answered Questions (5)
Lisa Masiello
Writers are asked this question all the time and my answer is different than most. Most writers say either:
1. Write what you know.
2. Write what sells.
My advice is to write what you LOVE. Writing a book is a long, hard slog. (Even though I love doing it.) I may know a lot about downhill skiing but if I don't love the topic, I'm not going to spend the time it takes to write a whole book. Books on Artificial Intelligence, AI, are hot but I couldn't bring myself to write a book about it.
My passion is using my career experience to help people start businesses. It's what I love. So, I enjoy spending months writing about the sales, marketing, funding, and staffing elements of starting a business. It's not a chore and I get it done.
Being a successful writer is about much more than writing the book. You have to publish it, market it, and so much more. You will live with the topic for a long time. If you love it, it won't seem like work and you will achieve your dream of completing a book. If you don't love it, you will find an excuse to stop in the middle and never finish.
1. Write what you know.
2. Write what sells.
My advice is to write what you LOVE. Writing a book is a long, hard slog. (Even though I love doing it.) I may know a lot about downhill skiing but if I don't love the topic, I'm not going to spend the time it takes to write a whole book. Books on Artificial Intelligence, AI, are hot but I couldn't bring myself to write a book about it.
My passion is using my career experience to help people start businesses. It's what I love. So, I enjoy spending months writing about the sales, marketing, funding, and staffing elements of starting a business. It's not a chore and I get it done.
Being a successful writer is about much more than writing the book. You have to publish it, market it, and so much more. You will live with the topic for a long time. If you love it, it won't seem like work and you will achieve your dream of completing a book. If you don't love it, you will find an excuse to stop in the middle and never finish.
Lisa Masiello
I currently write nonfiction for aspiring small business owners to help them start and market their own business. But in 2026, I will begin the transition to writing fiction - specifically a cozy mystery series. (already finishing the outline for book 1)
The best thing about writing business nonfiction is helping others achieve their dream of business ownership. I have been so blessed in my business career and want to share what I know with others so they can be successful as well.
The best thing about writing cozy mysteries is that I get to live in another world with interesting characters that I can love, hate, kill, and listen to (yes, they actually speak to me). I can create a world very different than my own and do things and express emotions that I may no do or express in real life.
The best thing about writing business nonfiction is helping others achieve their dream of business ownership. I have been so blessed in my business career and want to share what I know with others so they can be successful as well.
The best thing about writing cozy mysteries is that I get to live in another world with interesting characters that I can love, hate, kill, and listen to (yes, they actually speak to me). I can create a world very different than my own and do things and express emotions that I may no do or express in real life.
Lisa Masiello
I have been a huge fan of cozy mysteries since I was a teenager (many years ago) and am revisiting my goal of reading all the Agatha Award winning books.
I can't believe it wasn't until last month that I finally read Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron. Her writing is first rate, plot twists are inspired, and clues are well placed. While it is not on my short list of all time favorite cozy mysteries, it is certainly on my top 10 list of books aspiring writers should use as the instruction on how to write a cozy. It inspires me every day as I transition from writing nonfiction business-related books to writing my first cozy mystery.
I can't believe it wasn't until last month that I finally read Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron. Her writing is first rate, plot twists are inspired, and clues are well placed. While it is not on my short list of all time favorite cozy mysteries, it is certainly on my top 10 list of books aspiring writers should use as the instruction on how to write a cozy. It inspires me every day as I transition from writing nonfiction business-related books to writing my first cozy mystery.
Lisa Masiello
If I'm just not feeling it, meaning the words are not flowing easily from my brain to my fingers to my keyboard, I walk away and do other things. This is true even if I have a deadline.
My primary reason for getting writers block is that I have been working on a book chapter, article, blog post, or any other piece of content for too long. If I step away and do some gardening, take a walk, shovel snow, or anything else that doesn't require me to think but enables my mind to wonder, I can get back in the writing groove.
Eventually, the words will come and I will write faster and longer than if I tried to force it.
My primary reason for getting writers block is that I have been working on a book chapter, article, blog post, or any other piece of content for too long. If I step away and do some gardening, take a walk, shovel snow, or anything else that doesn't require me to think but enables my mind to wonder, I can get back in the writing groove.
Eventually, the words will come and I will write faster and longer than if I tried to force it.
Lisa Masiello
I would visit the English town of St. Mary Mead to have afternoon tea with Miss Marple.
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