Fallen Angel Reviews would like to welcome author, Kathryn Lively. Thank you Kathryn for answering a few questions for us inquiring minds.

For those who may not know Kathryn Lively is the author of the Ash Lake Mystery series, Murder Most Trivial and her newest book Pithed An Andy Farmer Mystery.


Kathryn, you edit for several publishers, what do you find most challenging when going from editor to author mode?

The most challenging thing in my opinion, as an editor, is trying to edit a work without letting too much of my voice take over the story. Each author has a unique voice, and my job as an editor is to make that voice clear, not to override it with my own. It is a great temptation to want to rewrite something my way, but I must preserve the author's style. Consequently, as an author I want to be sure my own voice stays intact when I write, that other authors don't rub off on me too much.

The inspiration for Pithed came from your father with characters and settings from your high school years, can you tell us a little about that interesting tidbit?

My father retired from teaching several years ago; he gave nearly three decades to his career, ending as an administrator. Toward the end he had problems with people in higher positions - not unusual for this kind of job, but in some cases it can prove disastrous. My father didn't exactly leave on a high note, and in the time we have talked since he would tell me of these ideas he had for a murder mystery. I worked the ideas to make the outline of Pithed, drawing from memory my own days as a high school student and substitute teacher. Some of the characters in Pithed are based upon former teachers of mine, and Andy of course is inspired by Dad.

Have your other books been inspired by real life situations or people? If yes, how? If not, what were they inspired by?

In the Ash Lake mysteries (Saints Preserve Us, Pray For Us Sinners) the main character Ronnie is semi-autobiographical. I like to think we share the same sense of humor and intellect. Ronnie's sister Gina has a few of my own sister's qualities, but the rest of the cast in those books are not based upon anybody in particular.

You are published with several different publishers. Do you think "spreading" your work around to different places helps to target a larger audience? Advantages? Disadvantages?

I think it helps in that some publishers are more accessible to readers than others. Some of my books are only available as eBooks, and to have a print book with another publisher might help the sales of others. If a reader likes Pithed, for example, he might be inclined to read Dangerous Words (my eBook with Echelon) even if he doesn't read eBooks. I don't really see a disadvantage, though as I write more I will do my best to remain with the publishers I have as long as they will accept me.

What do you think is your biggest accomplishment?

Her name is Geneva, and she born last October. J

If you could change one thing about you what would it be?

I would be more motivated. Some days I just want to lie on the couch and do nothing.

Do you have any favorite authors? Any who inspired you to write?

My earliest inspiration was humorist Lewis Grizzard. When I was younger I wanted to be a newspaper columnist like him, and I wrote for my high school and college papers. Later in college, I took a creative writing course and found that fiction appealed to me more, especially mystery. I enjoy reading Dick Francis, Carl Hiaasen, James Ellroy and Janet Evanovich.

What are you reading now?

Right now I'm reading an adventure novel called Carpe Demon, about a soccer mom who battles demons. Like Buffy with a minivan!

If you were going on a show like Survivor and could only take a backpack full of necessities what would we find in your backpack?

A notebook and pens, an iPod full of Rush tunes, my yoga mat, and a jumbo bag of M&Ms. I'm sure I could wing the rest.

Are you currently working on another book? If so, would you give us a sneak peek?

Right now I'm editing Little Flowers, which was published in 2001 but will be reprinted in December by Wings because the original publisher folded. Little Flowers is an inspirational romance centered around a community touched by pro-life issues - a teenager contemplates having an abortion, while a woman unable to bear wonders if she can have a romantic relationship. Soon I will begin writing the sequel to Pithed, but it's still in the outline stage.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Driving my girl to kindergarten, writing more stories, maybe getting into children's stories that she will one day read.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Every book of mine you buy put another quarter in the college fund!

For those who would like more information about Kathryn Lively and her books, you can visit her website.

Kathryn, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions for us.


Interviewed by: JoAnn