Katy Lee Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself. 

A. Okay, let’s see, I love to read and knit.  I love teaching my children in their schooling and in their everyday lives.  I love finishing what I start, and love that I always do.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A. I dabbled in writing when I was younger, but never took it seriously.  It wasn’t until I was flying cross country in 2009 that a man sitting next to me sparked a story plot when he asked me a specific question.  By the end of the flight I had a whole drawn out story and couldn’t get to a computer fast enough. Three months later, I had a completed manuscript, and a strong will to do it again.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break? 

A. That first manuscript floated through a few editors and agents as well as being a finalist in multiple contests, the Georgia Romance Writers’ Maggie contest, one of them.  That story did sell, but my biggest writing break happened when the Harlequin Love Inspired editors held the first Happily Editor After Pitch day, where 100 writers had an opportunity to pitch a story online to them in 100 words or less.  I was so nervous I could barely type.  They requested a proposal, then the full, and soon called me with a contract. Since then, they have contracted me for two more books.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Warning Signs? 

Warning Signs is the book Love Inspired bought that day, and gave me my Happily Ever After! 

In my story, my heroine, Miriam, is the high school principal and is deaf. She uses American Sign Language to speak.  My hero, Owen, also has a deaf son and can understand sign language, so when a drug smuggling operation occurs on Stepping Stones Island, the DEA sends Owen to investigate the new principal.  Miriam’s not happy about having this DEA agent getting into her business. Even if he is quite handsome, and she has an urge to bake him cookies.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for Warning Signs?

A:  I used to be a Special Education teacher, and I learned to allow the children to show me what they could do, before I made the assumption that they couldn’t.  With Warning Signs, I wanted to pass my experiences on.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A: Well, I hope they remember the characters. I really think both the hero and heroine have a lot to teach people, especially some misconceptions about what it’s like to be deaf.

Q: What is your favorite scene/chapter from the book?

A:  Ha-Ha!  When Miriam doesn’t know the DEA agent understands sign language, and she tells her interpreter that the Special Agent is quite good-looking. Owen did very well to keep a straight face

Q: What inspires you to write? 

A. Seeing the words on the page, and the more I see, the more I am inspired to keep going.

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession? 

A: Writing is HARD! Finding the time, especially with contracts now, is an eye-opening experience and not for the hobby writer.  It’s a job, and needs to be respected as such.

Q: What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?

A:  Love what you write.  The reader will know if you don’t.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now? 

A. I am writing book three and editing book two.  Book two, will release next May 2014, and will be called Grave Danger.  Both take place on Stepping Stones Island, Maine.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do? 

A. Travel.  Anywhere.  Anytime. This year, I’ve been to California, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Florida (twice), as well as New York and the New England states around me for quick trips.  I do a lot of traveling for Aglow International, and will be starting a few mission trips with them soon.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet? 

A. www.KatyLeeBooks.com All links to Facebook and Twitter can be found at my website, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter, too.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?

A. At my website you will see a lighthouse photo contest I am holding.  Check out the particulars and join in for a chance to win a Starbucks gift card.

Thank you for having me as your guest. I hope you will check out Warning Signs and enjoy!