When did you realize you wanted to write novels?
I knew I wanted to be a writer when I was in the first grade. The practicalities of life along with a few plot twists along the way, though, had me travel the long and winding road to realize that dream.
How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?
The little voice inside me that kept saying “I want to be a writer” remained constant for over forty years. In the intervening decades, I worked as a pediatric physical therapist treating children with special needs. When I transitioned from that career to writing, it took about eighteen months from ground zero to publication.
Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?
Indie published.
Where do you write?
These days I write at my desk in my living room where I have a view of my front yard.
Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?
Silence, please. Thank you!
How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?
I refute all allegations that I’ve drawn any of my plots from real life. I deny any involvement in an actual cozy murder mystery, though I do like to bake pies, have an adorable feline fur baby, and try not to swear. Characters, however, often are combinations of people I’ve come across along the way. There is never any one-to-one correlation, though. Sophia, who is Olivia’s best friend, is a pediatric physical therapist, and her role and knowledge are drawn from my experience.
Describe your process for naming your character?
Character names are important to me. Some are chosen for personal reasons or because of the meaning the name has in relation to the character. Foremost though, names must be memorable and distinguishable for the reader. I take care not to have characters with like sounding names that may lead to reader confusion. I research popular names from different decades to ensure my characters have names that would be appropriate for their age and background.
Real settings or fictional towns?
Apple Station, Virginia, is a fictional town set in the Shenandoah Valley. It is based on a few towns in that area, but all other place settings in the series are real.
What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
I love how my character Tori (one of Olivia’s best friends) is completely unfiltered in what she says, though never in a mean or rude way. She says exactly what’s on her mind, and it’s often what Olivia needs to hear.
What’s your quirkiest quirk?
It’s not so much my quirk as my kitten’s quirk. As soon as I open my laptop to write, she trots into the corner of the room just out of my view and then won’t stop meowing until I come over and devote all my attention to her.
If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?
I would have written any of the collected works of poetry by Mary Oliver. She expressed the simple truths of life with exquisitely crafted, accessible verse.
Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?
No do-overs for me. Every experience in my life, good or bad, has made me who I am today, and I don’t want to be anyone other than myself.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Bigotry.
You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
Ample food, clean water, and a working satellite phone.
What was the worst job you’ve ever held?
I worked a hot second part-time as a substitute teacher at a public high school. Brutal.
Who’s your all-time favorite literary character (any genre)? Why?
Favorite all-time character? Are you kidding me? Why would you do this to me? My brain is hurting from overload … too many choices … next question, please!
Ocean or mountains?
Both and equally.
City girl/guy or country girl/guy?
Country girl always.
What’s on the horizon for you?
I’m working on book three in The Olivia Penn Mystery Series.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?
I want to thank all my readers for their support! You can connect with me through my website at kathleenbaileyauthor.com. For updates, news, and occasional photos of my adorable feline fur baby, please join my newsletter!
An Olivia Penn Mystery, Book 2
Five days before Halloween, fall turns frightful in Apple Station when a child’s drawing entangles Olivia in a murder at a park lake.
Olivia’s hometown is gearing up for its annual Halloween festival, and pumpkins, corn mazes, and autumn vibes are everywhere. All is cozy in the crisp fall air as excitement builds for the costume parade on Friday. A casual Monday lakeside picnic lunch with her forever friend, though, sets off a chain of events that catches Olivia in the wrong place at the wrong time.
When a body is discovered amid an algae bloom under mysterious circumstances, everyone points fingers, but one among them is not telling the truth. The only apparent witness to the crime is a child who doesn’t speak. Motives abound, suspects are plenty, and it’s up to Olivia to discover why the child has implicated her as the key to solving the murder.
Can Olivia unmask the killer before the endangered evidence vanishes, and she becomes the next victim?
2 comments:
I recently discovered Kathleen's series and enjoyed them both. Looking forward to the third one.
Thanks so much, Dru! Your support means the world to me!
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