Katy Lee Interview

Q: How did you get your start writing fiction and what genre do you predominantly write in?

A. I write Inspirational Romantic Suspense and started back in I write Inspirational Romantic Suspense and started back in 2010. I’ve always been a reader, but one day I was flying across the country to Oregon and something the man seated next to me said triggered a story idea I had never heard of. By the end of the flight I knew I had to write it.

Q: What does your writing space look like?

A: I mostly write in a rocking chair. There’s something relaxing about the back and forth motion that let’s my mind wander.

Q: In this busy world, how do you find time to connect with God and how does this impact your writing?

A:  I am grateful for my job at my church as the Children’s Ministry Director as well as my position with my local Women’s Aglow Lighthouse. Both keep me focused on always studying God’s Word. You can’t teach what you don’t know.

Q: What part of a writing career do you find most difficult?

A:  Finding time to spend with each member of my family. It’s so important to give everyone their own time, including my parents.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Permanent Vacancy?

A: When Gretchen Bauer begins renovating an old Victorian house to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast, she barely escapes several dangerous “accidents” at her home. Colm McCrae, host of the home improvement TV show helping her renovate, refuses to believe these aren’t on purpose. Could this be a harmful ploy by his boss to boost ratings? Yet with Colm’s smooth-talking Irish brogue, Gretchen wonders whether he could be involved. But with a whole town full of neighbors disgruntled about the inn bringing strangers to their shores, Gretchen has a list of more likely suspects. Now she must trust Colm if she wants to keep her new business venture from turning into a five-star death trap.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

A: Bullying is something I have a low tolerance for. It comes in many disguises, but the effects are the same. I wanted to show how bullying affected both my characters and where it brought them in their lives.

Q: Tell us a little about your main character and how you developed him/her.

A: I’ll talk about Gretchen first. She has recently broken off with her boyfriend who verbally abused her. It took her awhile to see being alone was not the same as being on her own.

As for Colm, he is my Irish hero and was bullied by his stepfather as well as kids in his Dublin neighborhood because of his low economic home life. He became a streetfighter because of his experiences and has had to overcome them.

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing this book? Least?

A: The twists thrown in. Always fun seeing them play out.

As for the least, it is the last book on Stepping Stones Island. I’m moving off the island and have had to say goodbye to characters I have come to love.

Q: What is the main theme or spiritual message of this book?

A: Restoration/growth does not take place in an atmosphere of peace. It occurs in the midst of conflict.

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

A: I am writing the second book of my next series. The first book in the “Roads to Danger” series releases in December, and it is called Silent Night Pursuit. This series focuses on a family-owned speedway and the checkered past that lurks in each of the siblings’ lives.

Q: If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?

A: Helen Keller and Abraham Lincoln

Q: Do you have a favorite hobby?

A:  Knitting, but I don’t get to knit much anymore. I miss it.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing you have ever done?

A:  Homeschool my children. Will miss it when they have graduated. I learn so much right along with them, and I love the conversations we have about the things they are studying.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?

A: www.KatyLeeBooks.com

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

A: Readers Rock! Thanks for reading about me.