Cozy mystery and romance author Kelle Z. Riley is also a global
traveler, Ph.D. chemist and safety/martial arts expert. Today she sits down
with us for an interview. Learn more about Kelle and her books at her website.
When did
you realize you wanted to write novels?
I’ve always loved stories because they can take you
to magical places. Also, I’ve always loved the way words sound when formed into
just the right sentence. They can invoke powerful images and even more powerful
emotions.
Somewhere during a lifetime of reading, I discovered
I was also telling myself stories. That’s when I started being a writer. I just
didn’t realize it was what I wanted to do until after I’d completed graduate school
and started work as a chemist.
For some, like me, it can take a long time to find
you passion.
How long
did it take you to realize your dream of publication?
I began writing for publication in about 1999. One of
the first things I did was to write a fan letter to Susan Elizabeth Phillips,
asking for advice. She pointed me to the Romance Writers’ of America
organization and a local chapter. Once I started meeting regularly with other
writers, my productivity soared and my craft improved.
In 2005 three wonderful things happened: First, I was
nominated for the Golden Heart award for unpublished writers. (I was one of the
top finalists out of over twelve hundred entries—proving that my mother wasn’t
the only one who thought I was a good writer.) Second, I sold my romantic
suspense manuscript—Dangerous Affairs—to
a boutique publisher. And third, I signed with the agency of my dreams.
Like all stories, there were obstacles between me and
my dream. While I received compliments on my work, none of the compliments
turned into a contract. So much of the business involves being in the right
place, at the right time, with the right manuscript. Because my work often
straddled the lines between subgenres, it was ultimately difficult for the
publishers to find the right slot for it.
Are you
traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?
At present, I’m a hybrid author. My first book was
published by a traditional—albeit small—publishing house. While I still dream
of being offered an amazing contract by a big publisher, my agent and I have
decided that, for now, my work has its best chance for visibility as an indie
author.
One of my favorite comments came from a traditional
publisher who loved the work, but was concerned that readers would be turned off
because the main character was a scientist. I have to wonder—given the
popularity of the CSI franchise, Bones and The Big Bang Theory—if the publisher wasn’t underestimating the
intelligence of mystery readers everywhere. But only time will tell.
Where do
you write?
I have a home office where I do most of my writing.
I’ve been using the same closet-sized computer armoire since I first started
writing. These days, it sits in a large office across from the desk where I do
my “day job” as a Product Manager for a chemical company specializing in
industrial water treatment.
It can be hard to go back into the office after 8
hours on the day job. Switching from the chemist career to the writer career
takes discipline and dedication. In the end, my love for writing (usually)
outweighs my desire to watch TV or engage in other distractions.
Is silence
golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?
When I’m writing, I have to fully immerse myself in
the world of my characters. Insofar as possible, I try to step into their skin
and see the world from their eyes. It takes a tremendous amount of
concentration.
Because of my process, I oscillate between needing
silence and using music to block out the sounds around me. When I do reach for
music, I have a specific soundtrack of “new age” and instrumental music to
write by. I can’t listen to music with words, or I’ll be tempted to sing along.
I often say I can only live in one fictional world at
a time. So when I write the first drafts, I usually don’t read anyone else’s
work. For that matter I also try to avoid TV or movies that would drag me into
a fictional world of someone else’s creation. Once the draft is finished I
binge read and catch up on my recorded TV shows to refill my writing well.
How much of
your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in
particular?
What a great question. The emotions of my characters
are always drawn from real life. The big issues—facing your fears, falling in
love, losing a family member, starting a career, searching for meaning and
connecting with others are things everyone struggles with. That’s why books and
stories that focus on these emotions resonate with readers.
But as for specifics, in The Cupcake Caper I was able to draw heavily from real life. My character—like
me—has a Ph.D. in chemistry and works for a company focusing in water
treatment. Because of this, I wanted to be especially careful to make sure that
the science in the book was solid. Granted, I took a few liberties (I didn’t
actually poison anyone during the course of my research). My goal with the plot
of the story was twofold: (1) I wanted to create an entertaining story that
anyone could read and enjoy. (2) I wanted my science friends to be able to
“suspend disbelief.” In other words, I didn’t want an error in plotting to pull
them out of the story.
One thing I really enjoyed in creating the book was
being able to take bits and pieces from professional colleagues over the years
and weave them into the characters that populate The Cupcake Caper. I hope my colleagues will take that as the
compliment it is intended to be.
Describe
your process for naming your character?
I don’t have a process for naming the characters.
Usually names just come to me out of the blue—often with a rudimentary plot
attached.
In one case, however, I solicited help from my
Facebook friends. I offered to name a character after the person who suggested
the best name for the dog in the series. I receives so many good suggestions
that I had to write in a litter of puppies!
And that is how one of my favorite characters—Norah
Kingston—got her name.
Real
settings or fictional towns?
Fictional! I like being able to control the
businesses in a town. Most of my fictional towns are amalgamations of real
places where I’ve lived and often, the “real” town is nearby the fictional one.
What’s the
quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
Ah, that takes me back to the character of Norah
Kingston. She’s fond of piercings and goth style clothing. Not that that’s
particularly quirky in and of itself, but coupled with her attitude—part
shy-sweet-girl, part take-no-prisoners rebel—it sets her apart from everyone
else in the conservative environment where she works. Keep an eye on her—she’s
always stirring up some new mischief for my heroine Bree to deal with.
What’s your
quirkiest quirk?
If only I had a quirky side. . . . I suppose it is my habit of turning
everything into a song. I swear, if I could rewrite my life as a musical, I’d
do it.
If you
could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which
one would it be? Why?
I think I would like to have written Strong Poison and its sequels
(originally by Dorothy Sayers). I always liked the series because it wove
mystery with romance (and a bit of royalty thrown in). Also, her protagonist
loved using the scientific method to solve crimes! (Of course, I would imagine
re-writing it to adjust the pacing for modern readers.)
Given that, I suppose it isn’t surprising to see I
have a sleuth who uses the scientific method and a romance thread running
through my series as well. Maybe I’m not as unique as I thought!
Everyone at
some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?
I wish I’d stared on my creative path sooner. I’ve
always been goal oriented and driven, and there are times when that equates to
being way too hard on myself. I often catch myself putting off joy and fun
today in order to attain some goal tomorrow. Writing is wonderful because it
allows me to set goals that are in tune with my creative self, which helps me
enjoy the moment.
For too many years, I tried to fit myself into a
series of corporate goals that didn’t resonate with me. Now I’m at a wonderful
place in life. My writing career is taking off and my science career has
morphed into a wonderful blend of logical and creative tasks. The two fit
together like pieces of a puzzle. Or clues in an intricate plot. I just wish
I’d gotten to this place sooner.
What’s your
biggest pet peeve?
Excuses. I hate hearing anyone (especially me) make
excuses for not doing their best. At events, I meet a lot of people who say
they’d like to write a book. . . but. . . the excuses begin. We all find time
to do the things that matter to us. I can respect someone who takes baby steps
toward their dreams. It may take years to write the book, learn to sing, find
time for the cooking class. . .but as long as you’re taking steps to get there,
rather than thinking of reasons why you can’t do it, I can respect that.
Oh, and I really hate the high-pitched whine of
fluorescent lighting. What do you mean you can’t hear it? It’s driving me
crazy. . .
You’re
stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
Food, water and shelter. (If you’re stranded, it’s
time to get practical.)
What was
the worst job you’ve ever held?
I had a couple of summer jobs working in a plant that
produced fiberglass insulation. The people I worked with were wonderful and the
jobs paid well. But they were physically demanding and exhausting. Worst of
all, I was constantly around the spun glass fibers (without the pink glue that
holds them together). I have classic Celtic coloring and skin—pale, sensitive
and with freckles. Working around the fiberglass was torture. I itched from
morning till night. Years later, I discovered the experience sensitized me to
the fiberglass. Now when I’m exposed, I break out in a rash.
What’s the
best book you’ve ever read?
Sorry, there is no way I can pick only one. I do have
a list of books that are my literary equivalent of “comfort food” but even that
list is too long to share here.
Ocean or
mountains?
Hmm. I’ve been asked this before, and honestly, my
answer changes depending on my mood. For today, let’s say. . . I live in the
mountains but I love to vacation at the ocean. Given my fair skin and tendency
to sunburn, I’m better off under the shade in the mountains that baking at the
beach.
City girl/guy
or country girl/guy?
City. Definitely. I used to enjoy camping and
“getting away from it all” but I wouldn’t want to live in an isolated area or
far from friends. I guess that means my profile on “FarmersOnlyDotCom” probably
wouldn’t generate much interest.
What’s on
the horizon for you?
For the next few weeks, I’ll be busy launching The Cupcake Caper. After that, it will
be time to get book two of the series (still untitled) ready for release. I’m
working my way through the first draft of book three of the series (also
untitled). I don’t yet have a plot for book four, but during a recent business
trip a couple of people made it onto my naughty list, and I’m slotting them in
for victims and killers in upcoming books.
In addition to the Undercover Cat series, I have a
second—more traditional—mystery series in the works. So there’s no shortage of
work for me.
I invite you to join my mailing list and follow me on
Facebook (find links at Kelle’s website), where I make announcements about new
releases, upcoming projects, contests and more.
Anything
else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?
First, I have free samples for everyone reading this
blog! Click here for your free excerpt of The Cupcake Caper: Cupcake Sample
Second: my husband “Baker” Tom and I will be
producing a video series in which he bakes the recipes in my books and gives
you some secrets to baking the perfect treats. (His family owned the bakery in
my hometown—so he knows what he’s doing!) Keep an eye out for them—or join my
newsletter and Facebook page to be the first to know..
Now, I have a confession to make. My biggest fears
are:
1. Disappointing my readers.
2. Not finding my readers in the first place.
Part of the joy of storytelling is having someone to
tell the story to. That’s why I LOVE hearing from readers. If you like my free
sample, I hope you’ll want to read the rest of the story. And I hope you’ll
share it with family and friends.
The Cupcake
Caper
Book One in
the Undercover Cat series
Science is
about solving puzzles. Why should solving a murder be any different?
Dr. Bree Watson (aka Gabriella Catherine
Mayfield-Watson) is comfortable solving chemistry problems. She isn’t
comfortable finding her boss dead and being a suspect in his poisoning. Now
she’s juggling:
~ A sexy marketing manager—who may, or may not—be a
contract killer.
~ A handsome lead detective whose interest goes
beyond the case.
~ The dead man’s cranky cat.
~ A goose-chasing dog in hot water with an animal
rights group.
~ The search for the perfect cupcake recipe.
~ And, of course, someone who wants her out of the
picture.
And she
thought getting a Ph.D. was hard.
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