When Tammy Kaehler discovered the racing world, she was hooked by the contrast between its top-dollar, high-drama competition, and friendly, family atmosphere. Mystery fans and racing insiders alike have praised her award-winning Kate Reilly Mystery Series (Dead Man's Switch, Braking Points, Avoidable Contact, and Red Flags), and Tammy takes readers back behind the wheel in her fifth entry, Kiss The Bricks. She works as a freelance writer in Southern California, where she lives with her husband and many cars.
A: Only on the page, where I can easily afford the cost of repairs. I did attend racing school, however. Because I'm not a physically adventurous person, it was the single most terrifying thing I've ever done. But I got throughand enjoyed!three days of breaking tires loose, getting close to the edge (OK, not really, but closer than I ever thought I'd get), and being afraid I'd owe a deductible for wrecking the car.
Then why racing?
A: I have no idea. I tell people I'm genetically predisposed to be a sports fan (thanks, dad). By marriage, I'm disposed to like cars. And then I fell into the racing world because I was interested in learning something new. Then I met a woman who used to race cars. It all clicked. The best part is that my husband hates sports and falls asleep during races.
Where do you get your ideas?
A: I wish I knew, because I'd like to get them a little faster, please! I figure that there are some writing fairies I can't see who zoom around and drop ideas into my brain here and there. Oh sure, you'll say it's my subconscious tying together random bits I see in the news or hear about at work and creating new characters. Tomato, tomahto.
What's your writing schedule like?
A: Mostly I like to get the stuff I owe other people done first (yes, I am an "eat the vegetables first" type), so I open the office at the software company where I work, and I'm out by mid-afternoon. Then I write, blog, research, or noodle online for a few hours, throw in the occasional exercise, only cook when I feel guilty about another night of pre-packaged food, and prep for the next day.
What don't people know about you?
A: I can tap dance and do a backbend. I'm allergic to gluten, which means I haven't had a donut in six years. I'm almost incapable of arriving somewhere late. I am constantly entertained by my husband, because on one hand, he always has an answer to my question or a solution to my problem, but on the other, he can never find his keys. Lastly, I am a reading addict. I can stop anytime! (No, actually, I can't.)