A Conversation with Kathleen McKee

Author of the Aspen Notch Mystery series

With all the social turmoil going on around us it is good to leave the madding world behind for a while. With that in mind please make yourselves at home. You are among friends in The Reading Room.

Please give a warm welcome to educator, author, and registered dietitian, Kathleen McKee.

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

Kathleen: Even in my earliest years, I had my nose in a book. In high school and college, I remember telling friends that, someday, I’d write a novel. In school, I excelled in grammar, but not creative writing or outlining for a paper, which deterred my aspirations, though I never completely lost my desire to be a writer.

James: It appears that you have chosen to self-publish, why?

Kathleen: By the time I decided to write my novel, I had retired from full-time teaching and administrative work, although I still taught part-time online. When I researched the process of finding an agent, then waiting years for a publishing firm to offer me a contract, I recall telling a friend who’d read my story that I’d die of old age before I’d ever see it in print. She encouraged me to publish it myself, so I set about learning how to do that, and since the process seemed easy enough, I accomplished my goal with an ebook and home-made cover design.

Another friend praised my ambition, but reminded me that not all readers like to read from a mobile device. Although I agreed, I thought I couldn’t possibly format a manuscript to make it professional enough for a print book. With every conversation, she urged me to move forward, and we hashed out every challenge I faced, until I proudly displayed my accomplishment by publishing a real paperback novel.

Because I’d achieved my goal, I had no intention of continuing until friends encouraged me to write a sequel for Poustinia: A Novel. By then, I really enjoyed the entire process, so I set about writing the next book as I devoured expert advice about self-publishing. I learned the importance of a professional editor and cover designer, social media for marketing, and interactions with other authors. Now, as I finish writing my 11th book, I have no interest in the traditional publishing scene, and I absolutely love the freedom of calling myself an independent author.

James: I applaud your courage and tenaciousness, Kathleen.

Can you name one good writing habit you’ve established, Kathleen? How has it helped your writing?

Kathleen: When I begin a new book, I format it as a print book from the start with page size, font, justification, and margins. I intentionally write short chapters, about 4 pages in length, so my writing habit is to write a chapter each day. The next day, I do a “read aloud” of the previous day’s chapter to catch any typos or poor sentence construction, which essentially forms a first edit and puts my mind into the next scene I need to write. Having the book already formatted saves a tremendous amount of time at the back end, I make good progress by knowing I’ve a completed chapter/scene by the end of the day, and I can see how the pages will look in print.

James: How very methodical, Kathleen.

Words cannot change reality, but they can change how people perceive reality. Proverbs 15:4 “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

Kathleen: For me, language had the power to elicit emotions and place me in another world. I felt the plight of young Heidi, trudging up the mountain to meet her curmudgeon grandfather, and Anne, learning to adapt at Green Gables. Perhaps those stories, which I read over and over, led me to believe that my parents must have adopted me. That figment of my imagination loomed large in my mind, until the day my mother asked me why I acted so moodily. Mom laughed when I blurted out that I was adopted and no one told me, then assured me that such was not the case. The written word does, indeed, have power.

James: You paint a very compelling picture of the power of words, Kathleen.

In your opinion as a writer, Kathleen, what is the secret of writing well?

Kathleen: I believe that writing well is tied to your previous question, James. Readers want to relate to characters, to feel their challenges, and to travel with them in the story. A good writer will build those components throughout the book to capture a reader’s interest to the point that he or she becomes totally engaged.

James: Very true, Kathleen. The reader would lose interest in the story if they couldn’t relate to the characters and care what happens to them.

How do you select the names of your characters?

Kathleen: I typically pick first names of people I know, often adding surnames that may designate a specific race or culture. I rarely choose surnames of people I know, though they may be similar. Since we live in a melting pot of nationalities, I try also to choose names to designate Polish, Irish, German, or Italian roots, such as Sue Jaworski, Sal D’ Angelo, or Peter Sanchez.

James: Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

Kathleen: I try not to include any real-life scenario that might embarrass someone I know, though funny incidents are sometimes identified by friends. In the Aspen Notch series, I created several characters with the initials A.J., such as Alan Jaworski and Ann Jacobs, to give credit to my friend “A.J.” who urged me to move forward in this author journey. She laughs whenever she finds a new A.J. character.

James: "Memoir isn’t the summary of a life; it’s a window into a life, very much like a photograph in its selective composition. It may look like a casual and even random calling up of bygone events. It’s not; it’s a deliberate construction." (William Zinsser) Would you please describe one memorable moment in your life that would make a good memoir?

Kathleen: In his elder years, my father often gazed upon his favorite framed print called Solid Comfort by William Henry Lippincott. He’d cogitate about the old man sitting by the fire with his trusted springer spaniel. One day, Dad called me to say he found a springer spaniel puppy in the newspaper classifieds, and asked if I wanted him. Living alone and working full-time, I declined but suggested that he buy the puppy since it connected so much to the painting. He couldn’t manage it because of age, so I agreed, and let Dad name him Sir Peter of Archbald. That one moment changed my life forever, and you can read about it in Living with a Springer Spaniel: Pete and Me.

James: A poignant anecdote, Kathleen. Thank you for sharing.

What, in your opinion, are six reasons writers need each other?

Kathleen: My mother complained about my independent nature every time I said, “I can do it myself, Mom.” It’s taken many years for me to realize that I can’t do it myself, and it’s especially true as an author. Here are six reasons I believe that writers need each other:

1. Writing’s a solitary endeavor, taking lots of mental energy. Other authors understand and recognize the value of time alone.

2. Each author has an arsenal of tools and tips to make the writing process easier. I’ve found my colleagues are happy to share what works best for them, many of which I’ve found quite useful.

3. Most authors are also readers, and readers tell their friends about their latest favorite book. Word travels fast in the writing community.

4. Authors usually have a mailing list they’ve worked to build. By collaborating with other authors to share highlights in our newsletters, a writer can potentially reach thousands of additional readers.

5. Writers have learned to become adept at social media, a valuable tool in any platform. By collaborating and sharing, we help each other extend our marketing reach.

6. We become better writers when we learn what other writers have learned by trial and error. For example, I’ve shared things like a blurb or a cover design with other authors before publication, and they’ve given me invaluable feedback.

James: Thank you, Kathleen, for allowing us to pick your brain.

What are some of the ways you promote your published books?

Kathleen: I primarily center my daily marketing on Facebook and Twitter. I use Story Origin to create universal links for my books and collaborate with other authors there for newsletter swaps and book promotions. I always have several ads running on Amazon, and I use AllAuthor to generate promotional banners. Locally, I have my books on consignment at an independent bookstore and a pharmacy, and I’ve participated in book fairs and library events.

James: What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?

Kathleen: Although it’s not a secret, I think I’d surprise many readers with the fact that I lived in a convent as a nun for 29 years. Quite honestly, the mentoring I received during those years formed me into the woman I’ve become, and I’m most grateful for that.

James: I must say that I find that exceedingly interesting.

What was the hardest part of writing your author bio?

Kathleen: Finding phrases to describe ourselves is very difficult, especially when they’re in superlative terms, as most author bio’s are. I continually try to tweak mine, so I don’t sound like a conceited idiot, but it is what it is.

James: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Kathleen: Writing and caring for my springer spaniel puppy, Lady Margaret of Kimberton, consumes my day. Luckily, after Maggie’s morning walk, she allows me quiet time for writing until about 4 p.m. Then, I have no peace until we play in the yard, make supper, and play again until dark. I feel especially fortunate when neighbor friends come and visit with us on the patio, and when we meet in the summer at our community pool for exercise and gabbing. Unfortunately, I’ve put aside some of my favorite hobbies such as knitting, sewing, and reading until Maggie outgrows her feisty puppy stage.

James: Dogs are amazing companions.

What question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has? What is your response to that question?

Kathleen: “What inspired you to create the Aspen Notch Mystery Series with an imaginary setting in Northeast Pennsylvania?”

Readers loved the characters in No Gifts to Bring, which I wrote as a standalone story, inspired by the actual “freak Valentine’s Day Snowstorm of 2007” that shut down Interstate 81 in Northeast Pennsylvania. My story turned into a murder mystery with the main characters falling in love, making it quite popular among my older readers, so I decided that Sue and Alan could marry, make a home together in the Poconos, and Sue could continue as an amateur sleuth, working with her police chief husband. I had lived in the Scranton area for 10 years, so I felt that I had enough knowledge of the area to make my imaginary town seem realistic. Since No Gift to Bring isn’t located in Aspen Notch, I consider it the prequel to the Aspen Notch series.

James: Pick one excerpt from Below the Landscape that you would like to share with readers.

Kathleen: I gasped when I caught sight of an oil painting on the side wall behind [Ruth’s] recliner. It depicted a fallen tree across a creek, with aspens on the hillside beyond, the very spot that Jess and I sat chatting the day we hiked the trail. “Where’d you get that painting?” I questioned.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Ruth smiled. “My fiancé gave it to me years ago. He was such an amazing artist.”

I stared at Ruth, watching her face shimmer with the past memories of a man she apparently loved dearly. “Where does he live?” I asked.

Ruth’s expression darkened briefly before she replied, “I don’t know. Adam left me just before our wedding day.”

“How awful,” I exclaimed.

“It devastated me,” Ruth sighed. “For 40 years I’ve waited for his return, wondering what I did or said that caused him to leave. It remains a mystery to me.”

I couldn’t help but embrace Ruth, although I didn’t know what comforting words to say. I recalled Evelyn telling me that Ruth’s fiancé disappeared years ago, but realizing that her grief hadn’t lessened made my heart break for her. Ruth pulled away and dabbed her eyes… (Below the Landscape, p. 81)

James: The time has flown by so very quickly. We enjoyed our time together. Thank you, Kathleen, for sharing your thoughts with us today. I hope you will join us in conversation again sometime.

Please click on her name to learn more about, Kathleen McKee.

Her books may be purchased through Amazon at: books by Kathleen McKee.