TBR welcomes Kathy L. Wheeler

TBR: Welcome to TBR, Kathy L Wheeler. Will you share a little bit about yourself?
Kathy: I grew up in Texas, Colorado and somehow ended up in Oklahoma. I’ll admit I was not wild about it in the beginning, but NBA Thunder basketball turned my head after being here almost twenty years. So it’s no surprise I hold season tickets. I also adore theater, karaoke, jazzercise and the NFL. Freaky, I know!

TBR: Tell us about Quotable.
Kathy:  Quotable is the story of a very shy, nerdy-braniac whose college boyfriend really did a number on her. As a result, when people venture to close to heart, obscure quotes pop out, trying to keep those people at bay. In the meantime, someone is trying sabotage her business for reasons unknown to her.

TBR: Please tantalize us with a story blurb or excerpt.
Kathy: Genna Lyndsey is not a people person.  Short, too-skinny, wild haired waif , she wears sturdy nerdy glasses lives through books.  She reads books, buys books, trades books.  So what does a girl do when people venture too close for comfort?  She resorts to communication through obscure quotes, of course.

Rick Johnson, Insurance Fraud Consultant, suspects the owner of Renewed Interest Used Books of sabotaging her own business for insurance money.  But instead of fraud he finds frustration and irresistible attraction in an absent minded, yet brainy, adorable woman.

TBR: What inspired you to write about the theme?
Kathy: I was walking through Border’s Book store a few years ago, when I saw this big fat book, Quotationary. That was my inspiration.

TBR: Are you a plotter or pantser?
Kathy: I start out as a panster, for sure. But in the process, I find myself typing questions and statements at the end of the document just to make sure I’m covering the nuances that arise. Answer questions that my characters seem to have.

TBR: How do you develop your characters?
Kathy: The characters tend to develop themselves. I’m not sure if that good or bad.  I definitely feel like Sybil…

TBR: Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to share?
Kathy: As a matter of fact, I do. “The more I get to know men, the more I love dogs.” By Jeanne-Marie Roland. Through my research, I found that Charles deGaulle sort of took it from Jeanne-Marie

TBR: Did any music inspire your book? Do you have a playlist?
Kathy: I love musical theatre.  Not that I can listen while I write, mind. But my absolutely favorites are Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll & Hyde, Wicked…the theme here is “love triangle.”

TBR: Which of your characters would you most/least like to invite to dinner, and why?
Kathy: This question is two-fold, surprisingly.  I have a Cinderella series, indie published, where in Book II Prince Charming’s irresistible cousin, Sir Arnald, is a teeny bit jealous. Unfortunately for the man sitting next to his attraction, due to Sir Arnald’s little known compellation power, the man in question dumps his glass of wine on himself, through no will of his own. So I would love to invite Sir Arnald to dinner, but only if I know he is on MY side.

TBR: While creating your books, what was one of the most surprising things you learned?
Kathy: The most inspiring thing I’ve learned is that I can finish what I’ve started. And numerous times over. It’s a very encouraging feeling.

TBR: What's next for you?
Kathy: I never know what is next for me. I started singing at 34, graduated from college at 39, started writing at 42. Who knows what’s next! The world is my oyster.

TBR: Any other published works?
Kathy: I have several published works to date. I am part of the Oklahoma Romance Writers who have a project with The Wild Rose Press, Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll series.

The Color of Betrayal, released June 13, 2012;

A fourth in my Cinderella series: The English Lily, (no release date yet);

Quotable, to be released and Maybe It’s You, following soon thereafter.

The Wronged Princess – Book I [http://amzn.to/RQpdJM; http://bit.ly/MrKEd6];

The Unlikely Heroine – Book II [http://amzn.to/UI768F; http://bit.ly/Mm3uGG];

The Surprising Enchantress – Book III — coming soon.

TBR: What’s the most challenging aspect of writing? Most rewarding?
Kathy: The most challenging aspect of writing is finding time. I work full time outside of writing. I am an active member of OKRWA. Member of a terrific critique group, and am even delving into one or two speaking engagements. But, surprisingly, when something is important to one, one will find the time.

TBR: What’s the most interesting comment you have received about your books?
Kathy: One friend said: “Have you ever thought about doing a thing on YouTube, talking about your books? You just get so animated, it’s hard to tell if you are speaking about a real person or a character in your stories…” hmmm.

TBR: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
Kathy: My favorite all-time author is Jayne Ann Krentz. All of her single titles work for me. Albeit, historical, contemporary or futuristic. Other faves include: Teresa Medeiros, Elizabeth Boyle, Sabrina Jeffries, Madeline Hunter, Susan Elizabeth Phillips. . .well, you get the picture.

TBR: Where can readers find you on the web?
Kathy:  http://klwheeler.com/

http://kathylwheeler.wordpress.com/

TBR: Readers, Kathy will give away a $10 Amazon gift card to one lucky commenter. She'll pick a winner on Thursday, September 27 and announce the winner here. Be sure to leave your email address so she can contact you.

Thanks for visiting TBR, Kathy! All the best to you.