, just released in June, takes place in the historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. From the first book to this one, a lot has happened in Sydney's world, most of which was a surprise until I started writing.
What can you tell us
about yourself? Okay, here goes: Ten things to know about me.
1. I
grew up in the small Czech/Catholic town of West in Central Texas.
2. When
I started writing my Sydney Lockhart series, I realized I could write humor,
not something you’d expect from a shy, quiet, easily intimidated child, which I
was.
3.
After college graduation, I went to New York City to celebrate and stayed for a
year and a half.
4. I
realized in my forties that I was moderately dyslexic, which explained a lot.
5. I
started running marathons when I turned 60. I’ve chalked up 27 so far. I plan
to keep it up until I turn 80.
6. I
love birding, which led to the publication of my book, The Man Who Saved the Whooping Crane: The Robert Porter Allen Story.
7. I’m
a Sherlockian—a fancy name for anyone obsessed with reading Sherlock Holmes.
Check out my book, The Sherlock Holmes
Quiz Book.
8. I
have three wonderful, fun, beautiful sisters who inspire me and make me happy
to be alive.
9. I
have a wonderful husband who does the same thing.
10. I
love dogs!
What were the key steps
in developing your editing services?
I was born to be a teacher; writing
I had to learn. So at age six, I sat my little sister in front of a blackboard
and tried to teach her what I had learned in school that day. Her attention
span was short, but she was two years old. I did my best to keep her in her
seat. You can guess how that turned out.
I went on to teach seventh-grade
life science for twenty-five years and loved every minute of it—well, almost. Once
I started writing, it was only natural that I wanted to share what I learned
with others.
Fast forward—after I retired from
the classroom and had published several books, I went to work for a publishing
company as their marketing director, but I also edited manuscripts, which I
loved doing. Unfortunately, the company closed two years ago because of COVID,
so I decided to start my own editing and coaching business, Metaphor Writing Coach.
I work with new and published authors, editing and evaluating their manuscripts
and other writing projects. The coaching part of my business also involves
working with new writers by helping them complete their WIP and, in some cases,
find a publisher.
Any surprises? Any
lessons learned you’d like to share?
Two surprises and a lesson:
Surprise one: Soon after I started
my business, I was surprised when a woman contacted me looking for a
ghostwriter for her autobiography. Ghostwriting is an entirely different
business, requiring a lot of time, which would have taken me away from my
writing. Besides, writing someone else's story just doesn't work for me. It’s
true, I've written a biography about ornithologist Robert Porter Allen, but his
life’s story dealt with saving endangered birds, which is a passion of mine. I
told the woman to write her story, and I would edit and evaluate it. I didn’t
think I’d hear from her. Then a year later, she called. She’d finished her
autobiography—150,000 words. Now, I have a massive project to tackle.
Surprise two: Up until a year ago, the subjects of
my blog posts were writing and publishing. I never considered writing about my
personal life until I had to give a motivational speech on that very topic. I
used humor to tell my story, and I was surprised by the overwhelming response I
received. Moreover, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed writing about my
childhood. That led to a new blog series, “Growing Up Catholic in a Small Texas
Town.” I found that a lot of folks can relate to that.
Lesson: The best lesson I learned was from an agent who told me
not to worry about who will publish my book but instead focus on finishing my
manuscript. The editing, publishing, and promoting will come later.
How do you approach
social media? Any advice to give?
In this day and time, engaging in
social media communication is a must. Publishers expect their authors to use it
to promote their books and increase their readership. Even though connecting
with folks through social media is fun, it competes with my writing time. Although
I’m good at meeting deadlines—thanks to the nuns who taught me at St. Mary’s
School—I do experience stressful moments trying to juggle everything. Of
course, I wouldn't do it if I didn't love writing and teaching. I just have to
prioritize and allow for relaxation and exercise.
My social media advice is to select
two or three of your favorite social media platforms in which to engage and set
aside time every day to be active on them.
How would you describe
your reading? Any books to recommend?
I read for enjoyment, inspiration,
and learning. Enjoyable books allow me to relax. Inspirational books help me to
continue to write. I learn how to improve my writing by reading books by
bestselling authors.
I also like reading books by other
Texas authors. I recently discovered Attica Locke's Darren Mathews Mystery Series
set in East Texas. The first is Bluebird,
Bluebird, and the second Heaven, My
Home—just released. She’s captured the rich, mystical setting of the Piney
Woods in Texas. HarperCollins author Taylor Moore’s first Garrett Kohl mystery,
Down Range, was published this
spring, and his second one is coming out in August. I was so taken by these two
authors and their series that I recently wrote an article about them for Mystery & Suspense Magazine.
Other
books I recommend keeping nearby? Anything written by E.B. White and his
stepson, Roger Angell, both of whom wrote for The New Yorker magazine. Anyone who wants to learn to write or
write better must read these two fabulous authors. I have several of their
books, and I reread them often.
What advice would you
like to give other writers?
I always share the advice that the
agent gave me about finishing my manuscript. I also advise readers to read,
read, read, especially the genre in which they write.
Thank you, Kathleen, for talking with us this month. I was caught up in Sydney Lockhart's world right from the opening scenes of Murder at the Arlington and Murder at the Menger. Maybe because I remember the 1950s pretty well, even as I felt restive from requirements that women wore skirts no shorter than mid-calf, that we must wear gloves when going to town, and we should never interrupt a man when he spoke. Of course, the 1950s did lead to the 1960s, but with these delightful murder mysteries, we get to experience and explore how feisty women achieved their goals, well before women's lib!
Tune in next week to learn a little more about Murder at the Menger.
For more about Kathleen Kaska, visit her website at: http://www.kathleenkaska.com
