Interview with novelist Kate Dyer-Seeley

Novelist Kate Dyer-Seeley is here today to chat about her new mystery, Violet Tendencies.

Bio:

Kate Dyer-Seeley is the author of In Cave Danger, Scene of the Climb and Slayed on the Slopes in the Pacific Northwest Mystery series, as well as the memoir Underneath the Ash and Natural Thorn Killer, the first book in her Rose City Mystery series. Kate’s writing has appeared in a number of regional and national publications, including Climbing Magazine, The Oregonian, The Columbian, Portland Family Magazine, Seattle Backpackers Magazine, and The Vancouver Voice. She is an active member of the Willamette Writers Association, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Pacific Northwest Writers Association.

Welcome, Kate. Please tell us about your current release.

I’m so excited to share the 2^nd book in the Rose City Mysteries with readers! In Violet Tendencies, floral artist Britta Johnston and her Aunt Elin have been chosen to design the signature float for Portland, Oregon’s annual Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade. They’re busy gluing seeds to their two-story float and stringing together beautiful strands of violets when a violent protest breaks out and threatens the entire parade.

What inspired you to write this book?

Growing up in Portland meant that Rose Festival was always a highlight of the year. The Grand Floral Parade was one of my favorite traditions. I loved watching the colorful floats and even had an opportunity to march in the parade during high school. I pulled from those memories for inspiration for the book. While the murder is fictional, everything that I’ve weaved in about the Rose Festival is real. I spent time volunteering as a float decorator when I was working on the book to get a better understanding of how the magnificent floats come together. One fun fact: everything on the floats has to be organic. That means that volunteers spend hours and hours painstakingly gluing tapioca pearls and polenta and draping branches of evergreen boughs and roses onto every float.

Excerpt from Violet Tendencies:

An uneasy sensation swelled through my body as I walked with trepidation toward our float. Something about the huge, cavernous space felt foreboding.

“Hello!” I called again.

The only answer was the sound of my own voice bouncing off the walls.

Shouldn’t the other decorators and volunteers be here by now? We were supposed to report by

seven thirty for the morning meeting. Had I missed a message? Was the parade canceled? I thought about turning around but I willed myself forward.

Bad choice.

When I made it to our float I looked up in horror. Our float had been destroyed. The arbor and

grapevines that we had meticulously secured had been torn apart and were scattered in broken pieces throughout the floor.

I stepped forward and let out a scream.

Sham’s body was sprawled out among the ruins.

A noose of purple violets twisted around his lifeless neck . . .

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m currently working on a ton of research for my next project. Research is one of my favorite things about the writing process. I used to say that I wished I could be a perennial college student. Writing fulfills that dream. I love getting to immerse myself in new worlds and learn new skills.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I didn’t consider myself a writer until my first book was published, despite the fact that I had been writing for newspapers and magazines for many years before that and getting paid for my writing. I can’t exactly pinpoint what the shift was, but there was something about the fact that I had a full-fledged book published that made me suddenly realize, “Oh, I am a writer.”

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I do write full time. I write multiple mystery series so I’m basically always on a deadline. I find that I do much better when I have structure and a daily word count to hit. I like the routine of writing every day. I think it lends to even more creativity because you’re constantly exercising your writing muscle.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I completely change out my office every time I start a new book. I have a playlist for my protagonists to help me get “in their head” so to speak. For example, when I was working on Violet Tendencies I had pictures of violets and pictures from the Grand Floral Parade posted on my office walls. I edited the manuscript with a purple pen and lit a violet scented candle when I was writing.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to write, and I actually wrote my first mystery when I was in second grade. However, in college I took a more practical approach and minored in creative writing, while earning a degree in speech therapy. At the time I had no idea what I wanted to write. It took me a lot of terrible first drafts and years of writing workshops and conferences before I took the plunge.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Thanks so much for having me on today, and to all of the readers who help champion books and share them out in the world.

Links:

Website | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Thanks for joining me today, Kate.

Interview with cozy mystery author Kate Dyer-Seeley

Please give a hearty Reviews and Interviews welcome to cozy mystery author Kate Dyer-Seeley. She’s here today talking about her debut novel Scene of the Climb. It’s the first in her new Pacific Northwest Mystery series.

Bio:

Kate Dyer-Seeley writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery series for Kensington. She lives in the ruggedly beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and son, where you’ll find her hitting the trail, at an artisan coffee shop, or at her favorite pub—or better yet—all three.

Welcome, Kate. Please tell us about your current release.

Scene of the Climb features the wild forests and stunning vistas of the Columbia River Gorge, hipster hangouts in Portland, Oregon, and a young journalist, Meg Reed, who bills herself as an intrepid adventurer in order to land a job writing for Northwest Extreme magazine. The only problem is that Meg’s idea of sport is climbing onto the couch without spilling her latte.

The magazine sends her to Angel’s Rest (a 2,000 foot peak) to cover a reality TV adventure race filming in town. After clawing her way to the top, Meg witnesses a man plummet off the cliff. Meg quickly realizes that his death was no accident, and finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation.

What inspired you to write this book?

A pair of hot pink hiking boots! It’s true. I love to hike with my family in the Columbia River Gorge, where the murder takes place in Scene of the Climb. One weekend we were hiking Angel’s Rest and a young woman in her early twenties was trekking up the trail in a pair of hot pink hiking boots. I thought, “She is a character.” She and her pink boots definitely stood out!

Not long after we hiked Angel’s Rest, a hiker fell to his death from the summit which tragically has happened more than once. I wondered what would happen if someone had “help” off the ledge. From there the story came together once I had that premise in mind.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I just finished Meg’s next adventure, Slayed on the Slopes. It comes out on April 7, 2015. Meg is sent up to Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood to cover a winter training weekend for the Ridge Rangers, a new high-altitude guiding team. She’s not a fan of heights, so is less than thrilled to learn that the Ridge Rangers are staying at the Silcox Hut, a remote mountain cabin a thousand vertical feet above the lodge and reachable only by ski lift or snowcat.

She braves the elements and a bumpy snowcat ride, in hopes that she can conduct her interviews inside next to a crackling fire with a steaming cup of cocoa. Alas, poor Meg ends up stuck outside in a blizzard. She swears she hears gunshots over the sound of the raging wind, but no one believes her. That is until one of the Ridge Rangers is found in a frozen pool of blood.

I’m starting work on the third book in the series now which is going to take Meg out to Hood River for an international windsurfing competition. She’s going to be in way over her head!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

The first time I received a paycheck for my writing. I did a lot of freelancing for regional and international publications. My first paycheck for freelancing work was for $35. I was thrilled! I took a photo of the check and hung it on my office wall. Obviously the cash wasn’t going to pay the bills, but getting paid for my writing was a big step forward in my career.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

Yes, I write full-time. When I’m working on a manuscript, I draft in the morning when I tend to be fresher. I set a daily word count, and don’t leave my office until I hit it. Then I spend whatever time I have remaining on marketing, editing, and other projects. I try to carve time in my schedule to get outside and walk every day. I find that most of my breakthrough moments, when I’m struggling with a plotline or character, happen when I’m not actually writing. Plus now I can actually count time out in nature as “research.”

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Good question. I like to really get into Meg’s head so I transform my office into Meg’s world when I’m drafting. Right now my office walls are plastered with posters and photos of windsurfers, vintage dresses, and microbrews. I create Meg playlists to listen to while I write. She’s a modern day throwback so I listen to a lot of big band and swing music. But then, she’s also young, so I mix in Taylor Swift and indie bands like the Decemberists. It’s a quirky mix!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

What didn’t I want to be? A paleontologist, a reporter, a marine biologist, an astronaut, a teacher… I could keep going. I think that’s why writing is a good match for me. It lets me immerse myself into many different worlds and keeps me engaged, especially when I’m doing research. I loved researching all of the places featured in the book. Scene of the Climb has an adventure guide and scenic tour in the back that readers can use to follow Meg’s route through the Columbia River Gorge. Writing that gave me an opportunity to dig through history books, interview experts, and do hands-on research.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Thanks so much for having me! One of the things that I enjoy most about reading mysteries is that they serve as travelogues. I love reading about charming beach-side towns on the east coast, and quaint villages tucked into the English countryside. I hope that readers will be able to get a taste of the Pacific Northwest lifestyle through Meg’s eyes.

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It's been my pleasure, Kate. Happy writing!