Make Note of Kathryn Long
Greetings, my dear Noters!
I am so excited to debut this new feature on my blog. I have come to love the writing community I belong to, so it feels only right to loop you in and share all the fabulous authors I’ve met. With this new feature, I hope you’ll learn about amazing new books, as well as insight into a writing life other than my own. I sure am looking forward to learning new tips and tricks when it comes to being more productive, as I’d love to be able to write more to get more books into your hands.
I’m so thrilled that author Kathryn Long has shared her time with me as the first author featured in this new series. Her new mystery Snowed Under Murder launched THIS WEEK, so we’re celebrating her book birthday.
Without further ado…
A Bit About the Author: Retired teacher, Kathryn Long now spends her days plotting and writing mysteries. Besides her SIERRA PINES B&B series, published credits include BURIED IN SIN and THE LILLY M. MYSTERIES. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime as well as of International Thriller Writers. As Bailee Abbott, she writes the PAINT BY MURDER MYSTERY SERIES. The second book, KILL THEM WITH CANVAS, will release on October 11, 2022. She lives with her husband and furry friend Max in the quiet suburbs of Green, Ohio.
Kathryn, thank you so much for appearing on Make Note Of today, and a huge congratulations on your new release! Tell us, what book made you first fall in love with reading?
Well, being the age I am and how far back we’re going (haha) what I can remember is the Little House on the Prairie series. I devoured them. In fact, I recall in fifth grade how over one weekend, I finished one of the longer ones, cover to cover. Returning it to our class library, my teacher was incredulous. I don’t think she believed me when I told her I was finished. LOL
How did you begin your writing journey? When did you first feel like an “author?” I know it sounds trite, but I too started writing short stories as soon as I learned to put words on paper. I continued on through high school (in the writer’s club) and into my twenties dabbling with my creativity, but it remained sort of one of those “wish I could be a published writer” periods of my life. Fast forward to my forties. I remembered thinking I’d made myself a promise in my youth that if I didn’t finish a full-length novel by fifty, maybe I didn’t have it in me. Well, I did it. The story wasn’t great. In fact, it was probably horrible, but I finished. That gave me the courage to write another, and another, until one became worth publishing.
What did you set out to accomplish when you began writing Snowed Under Murder? What messages/themes did you want to convey? SNOWED UNDER MURDER is the second in my Sierra Pines B&B Mystery series. It’s inspired by my love of the classic movies that make your heart swoon, and Cary Grant. The old Hollywood flavor and the many characters that belong or use to belong to the showbiz world took hold. This particular installment takes on the Christmas season and hopefully touches readers with a bit of that holiday spirit.
Part of what I love about writing is creating complex characters. For folks who’ve already read #FollowMe for Murder, they know my MC Coco Cline is a work-in-progress, but a good person at heart. What is your main character’s biggest strength? Flaw? Ali Winston has a fierce determination to do things right and achieve justice, even when it’s difficult. She’s loyal to her friends and family and loves them unconditionally. Sometimes, seeing only the good in people makes her vulnerable, but thankfully it all works out in the end.
How does a book’s setting take shape for you? How do you create a world within your book? I usually pick a real location—for instance, this series needed to be somewhat close to L.A. since some characters are actors, and that made sense to me—then within the small town fictional setting I create, I build a map in my head of all the shops, homes, and other sights that develop along with my storyline. Sketching the map on paper really helps keep me accurate.
Tell us three things that are always on your writing desk/writing space. Ha! To be honest, I spend a lot of my writing time in my favorite chair in the family room. But I do have an office where I can get away from when things get noisy and distracting. Things on my desk include a calendar, a portable keyboard, and a pen and pencil holder. So much more to add, but I’ll leave it at that.
What is your favorite, can’t-live-without writing tool/application/software/aid? I recently bought the Rocketbook Flip digital writing pad that I can carry with me and scribble notes, outlines, and even draw those town maps I referred to earlier. It’s an inexpensive device that works well.
I will most certainly have to check that out. Being able to scribble down notes on the fly is a must! Okay, for my final question: You stumble across a dead body. What book character (your own or another literary hero) are you alerting first? Why? Oh, gosh. This is a tough one. I guess I’d say Sherlock Holmes. I’d love to see how his brain works as he solves the case, maybe pick up a few pointers!
Solving a case with Sherlock - a mystery lover’s dream! Thank you so much, Kathryn, for being here today and sharing a glimpse into your writing world. Snowed Under Murder is available now wherever books are sold!
What classic movie is your favorite?
Let us know in the comments!
Authors, are you interested in appearing on Noteworthy? Send me an email at connect@saraheburr.com!