Tammy
Before trying her hand at fiction, Tammy Kaehler established a career writing marketing materials, feature articles, executive speeches, and technical documentation. A fateful stint in corporate hospitality introduced her to the racing world, which inspired the first Kate Reilly racing mystery. Tammy works as a technical writer in the Los Angeles area, where she lives with her husband and many cars.
Check out this video introducing Tammy
Q & A
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Do you race? |
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 through—and 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.)
