In Conversation with Renny deGroot

Welcome, everyone. I am so glad you could join us today in our cosy reading room—where the chairs are soft, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is just right for settling in with a good story. Today, we have a very special guest whose stories have captivated readers across genres and continents. The soft flicker of the light from the flames upon the hearth dances across the room, casting a warm glow on the wooden beams and the plush chairs nestled around the fireplace. As the light dims, the room grows quieter, settling into the perfect ambiance for an intimate conversation.

I am delighted to welcome Renny deGroot, a celebrated Canadian author whose work spans historical fiction, nonfiction, and mysteries. Her debut novel, Family Business, was shortlisted for the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize, and her historical fiction works—including Torn Asunder, published in 2019—have earned numerous readers’ awards from the U.K., Canada, and the U.S., including an Honourable Mention from the Readers’ Favourite International Book Contest.

In 2019, Renny was commissioned to bring her storytelling skills to the real-life heroics of her former regiment in 32 Signal Regiment, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals: A History, a beautiful coffee-table book chronicling its military legacy.

In 2021, Renny turned her attention to mystery, launching the Garden Girl police procedural series set in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. With Sea Child in 2022 and Heritage House in 2023—shortlisted for the prestigious Whistler Independent Book Award—the series continues to grow in depth and popularity.

And most recently, Renny has brought us a delightful new cozy mystery series set in Canadian cottage country, beginning with Lakeside Beauty, released in late 2023.

So, as the last rays of daylight fade away, pull your chair a little closer, wrap your hands around your mug, and get ready for a heartwarming and insightful conversation with the talented Renny deGroot.

James: Who is Renny deGroot? Do your books give us any clues or insight into Renny deGroot? 

Renny: What a great question! As a first-generation Canadian of Dutch heritage, I was raised in Toronto and enjoyed a multicultural experience growing up. This comes across in most of my books. I celebrate our Canadian multiculturalism and always include a Dutch person in my books.

James: What a thoughtful response, Renny! I really admire how you incorporate your personal story and cultural heritage into your work. It's wonderful that you celebrate Canadian multiculturalism while highlighting your Dutch roots—such elements add an authentic and meaningful layer to your books. Thanks for sharing this insight!

What is your writing Kryptonite?

Renny: The one thing that interrupts me continually is Regal, my 19-month-old great Pyrenees. I don't get writer's block, but the number of times she's interrupted me does cause re-writes and delays. But I forgive her because she probably knows me better than I know myself about when I need a break.

James: Sometimes, our furry companions have a sixth sense about when we need to step away and breathe. Regal might interrupt your flow, but it sounds like she is also your gentle reminder to pause and reset—perhaps not a Kryptonite, but a secret superpower in disguise.

What is your go-to writing fuel or favourite snack while working on a project?

Renny: If you mean what ‘fuels’ me – I drink copious amounts of tea and routinely consume President’s Choice Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookies.

James: What is the most unexpected place you have found inspiration for a murder plot?

Renny: My upcoming book (South View, book 2 of my Canadian Cottage Country Mystery series) was inspired by a post I once saw on my local community Facebook Group (the Shores of Rice Lake). The post was from a person who found an overcoat floating in the lake.

James: Wow, Renny, that is such a mysterious and unexpected detail to draw inspiration from! A coat floating in the lake immediately sparks so many questions and possibilities for a gripping murder plot. I can’t wait to see how you unravel this eerie scene in your book! It sounds absolutely captivating.

Do you feel like it is most important to have?

A)     Strong characters

B)     Mind-blowing Plot twists

C)     Epic settings

Why?

Renny: That’s difficult to parse out because they are all so intertwined. If I am forced to choose, I’d say strong characters because if they are authentic and relatable, they can be taken out of their usual setting and still work elsewhere (on a trip, etc.). In terms of the plot twists, they are usually driven by the characters themselves through misunderstandings, their motivations, character quirks, etc.

James: Strong characters are the heartbeat of any story. When they’re well-developed and authentic, they naturally generate plot twists and can carry the narrative no matter the setting. It's their choices, flaws, and growth that keep readers invested—whether they're navigating epic landscapes or simply caught in a coffee shop misunderstanding. Great insight, Renny!

How do you come up with names for your characters?

Renny:   It depends on the character. Some are simply created using research resources (i.e., most common female names in the 1960s, etc.), and some are more personal to me. My character, Piet Van Loo, was created as a tribute to my father, whose first name was Pieter. He came from a town in the Netherlands called Heiloo. I shortened that to make ‘Van Loo,’ meaning ‘from’ (Van), and Loo as an abbreviation of Heiloo.

James: That is such a meaningful approach, Renny. I like how you blend research with personal history—it gives your characters a real sense of depth and authenticity. Piet Van Loo is a perfect example. Knowing there is a tribute to your father in that name adds an emotional resonance that readers might not see on the surface, but I imagine they feel it in the character's presence. It is those kinds of details that really enrich a story.

Which of the characters that you have created do you relate to the most?

Renny:  I relate to Shannon Coyne because she can be stubborn and do what she believes is right, even if it gets her in trouble. I’m also very fond of a character named Vanessa Hunt in my Cape Breton mystery series, and people who know me have commented that they see a lot of me in her. She’s strong-minded and takes umbrage when someone (like her fella) tries to tell her what to do or feels he needs to look after her. 😊

James: That is fantastic, Renny. It is always fascinating to see how parts of an author naturally find their way into their characters. Shannon’s determination and Vanessa’s strong spirit clearly resonate with you—and I like that your readers and friends have picked up on that, too. It speaks to how authentically you write them. Those layers of personality make your characters feel real, and I think readers connect even more deeply when they sense that bit of lived truth behind the fiction.

What part of Lakeside Beauty did you have the most fun writing?

Renny: I loved setting the book in my own locale. I used familiar streets and places, and in so doing, I felt I was celebrating this amazing place to live.

James: That is such a great way to bring a story to life, Renny. Using a real, familiar setting must have made the writing process feel so personal and rewarding. It is clear how much you cherish the place where you live, and that love comes through in the story. When an author writes about a setting they are passionate about, it adds a layer of authenticity that readers can really feel and connect with. It must have been a joy to share that with your readers!

Do you base any of your quirky characters on real people you have met? If so, how do they react when they find out?

Renny: No. Every character is an amalgamation of imagination and aspects of people I’ve met.

James: That is an interesting approach, Renny. It sounds like you take bits and pieces of real-life inspiration and blend them into something entirely new, which makes your characters feel fresh and unique. It must be fun to create a character who feels real, even if they are not directly based on anyone specific. I imagine that kind of freedom lets you explore all sorts of quirks and personalities!

How do you balance creating suspense while maintaining the warm and inviting tone of a cozy mystery?

Renny:  It’s definitely a challenge for me. My other series is a police procedural and less cozy, so I need to keep reminding myself what I’m working on. I took courses at Trent U. in crime scene investigation and forensics, but those skills aren’t required for a cozy. I usually catch those moments of ‘too much information’ during the edits.

James: It is great to hear how you balance those two elements, Renny. I imagine it is a bit of a tightrope walk—keeping the suspense up without diving too deep into the gritty details. It is impressive that you have brought those crime scene and forensics skills into your writing, even if they do not always make it into the cosy side of things! The ability to catch those moments during edits shows just how much care you put into creating that perfect mix of intrigue and warmth. It is a real art to keep the tone light yet still keep readers on the edge of their seats.

If you could have a cuppa with any author, dead or alive, who would you choose and what is the first question you would ask him or her?

Renny: Charles Dickens is my favourite author. I’d ask him if he ever grew weary of writing or if it was a passion to the end.

James: What a fantastic choice, Renny! Charles Dickens is such an iconic author, and I can see why he would be your pick. His work is so rich and enduring. I like your question, too—it would be fascinating to know if his passion for writing ever wavered or if he truly remained driven throughout his career. I imagine it would be an incredible conversation, hearing firsthand about his dedication and how he viewed his own craft.

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers. 

Renny: Only 3? OK – I spent 10 years in the Canadian Forces, I was once a private investigator (and armed guard), and I once lived outside in Nice, France, with a bunch of street musicians.

James: Wow, Renny, those are some seriously fascinating titbits! I am fascinated by how diverse your experiences are—from serving in the Canadian Forces to being a private investigator and armed guard. And living outside in Nice with street musicians sounds like something straight out of a novel! You have definitely lived a life full of stories—no wonder your writing is so rich and layered!

What is the single question no one ever asks you that you wish someone would ask?

Renny: I do a lot of in-person events and have been asked the most extraordinary questions, so this is tough. Perhaps it is ‘What influence did your parents have on your writing career?’

James: Well, Renny, you have only gone and made my job easy! Since you wished someone would ask you this question, who am I to deny such a request? So here it is—what influence did your parents have on your writing career? Were they undercover authors, bedtime story pros, or just really good at inspiring plot twists during family dinners?

Renny: HaHa—great question. My mother was my key cheerleader (sending my early poems to church newspapers, etc., and typing my little stories on an old portable typewriter). My father was a brilliant storyteller—entertaining family and friends with his embellished anecdotes (of growing up in the Netherlands during war years, immigration, etc.). Combined, they inspired and encouraged me to become the writer I am.

James: That is such a heart-warming answer, Renny—what a gift your parents gave you. Your mom sounds like the ultimate early publicist, and your dad clearly had a flair for turning life into legend. No wonder storytelling runs in your veins! I love how their support and creativity helped shape your journey.

Pick one excerpt from one of your books that you would like to share with readers.

Renny: This is an excerpt from my debut novel, a Historical Fiction called Family Business (shortlisted for the Kobo Emerging Writer prize), set in the Netherlands:

"A toast. To family." André held up his glass. Clink, clink, clink. The tinkle of glass tapping glass sounded musical.

"Opa, you didn't clink me." Wim stretched his arm across to touch his glass of lemonade against his grandfather's glass.

Everyone repeated the toast. "To family."

The dining room windows fogged over in the heat of the coal stove, the hot food laid out on the table, and all the people. Tiineke glanced at the window and saw, reflected in the glass, her father lifting her daughter high over his head. Elsa giggled and reached for his thinning hair. He caught Tiineke's reflection in the window and smiled at her.

It's like seeing something in a dream. She stood, mesmerized, looking at the image in the window. They were enclosed in this small world, with the darkness outside the backdrop.

Andréas was anxious to start the Sinterklaas celebrations. "Come, Mama, can we eat now?"

The spell was broken.

"Yes. Come everyone, squeeze in and let's start!"

James: What a beautiful, evocative excerpt, Renny. You’ve captured such a tender, intimate moment—one that feels both timeless and deeply rooted in tradition. I could almost hear the clink of the glasses and feel the warmth from that coal stove. It’s amazing how just a few lines can draw a reader right into the heart of a family. No wonder Family Business was shortlisted—it clearly strikes an emotional chord. Thank you for sharing that scene with us!

What made you choose this particular excerpt?

Renny: The excerpt is set in the winter of 1939 and foreshadows the escalating war's terrible cost on the Dutch population. It seems a relevant excerpt for the times we’re living in right now in Canada.

James: Thank you, Renny. That context adds such depth to your choice. The parallels between that moment in history and some of the uncertainties we are facing here in Canada today are striking. It’s a powerful reminder of how stories from the past can still resonate so strongly—and perhaps offer insight or even hope as we navigate our own times.

Renny, thank you so much for sharing your time, insights, and a truly poignant excerpt with us today. Your thoughtful reflections and deep connection to history remind us of the enduring power of literature to shed light on both the past and the present. It has been an absolute pleasure chatting with you. Your words carry both heart and history, which is a rare gift, and I know our readers will walk away enriched by your words. We look forward to seeing where your writing takes us next.