All writers approach their craft with some purpose in mind. For some, it’s simply to see their name in print. Others want the brass ring—a Pulitzer, an Edgar, and more. In this interview with Kathi Daley, we’ll get a close look at how the author of four different series wrote twenty-three mysteries in four years.
“Matrimony Meltdown is the 13th book in the Zoe Donovan Series,” Daley said. “Zoe began as a whim when I was on Facebook one day and had an idea to share my Facebook page with my dog. I jotted down a paragraph that began with: ‘According to my Facebook bio, which I share with Charlie, my half terrier/ half mystery dog, we’re in a relationship with our two cats, a huge orange tabby named Marlow and a petite black beauty named Spade.’”
Daley said she kept writing and “a week later I had a book.” She published on Amazon and was surprised by the results. “It was the first book I published so I wasn’t expecting much but people loved it and now 19 months later I am about to publish book 13 in the series.” The most recent installment in the series is “Matrimony Meltdown,” which is set against the backdrop of a wedding, a commitment-shy bride, and a future mother-in-law from hell.
The Zoe Donovan series is focused on a group of friends who live in a small town and their everyday-life experiences. “In the course of living their lives they stumble into dangerous situations which compel them to find answers and solve a mystery. My books are about relationships first, followed by mystery, romance, animals, and food.”
Many writers stare at their first blank page longer than it takes Kathi Daley to write a complete mystery. And, the thought of writing a book in six weeks is enough to send even seasoned writers into apoplexy. So, the question becomes, how in the world does she do it? The answer isn’t really any different from what seasoned writers always tell beginners: just write.
“I sit down at the computer,” Daley said. “I type Chapter 1. I ask myself what is going on. In this case [Matrimony Meltdown] it is a wedding. I ask myself ‘okay what is a possible wedding theme?’ I came up with either bride gone crazy or mom gone crazy. Zoe is a simple person who wants a wedding on the beach with daisies for flowers and her dog as a ring bearer. Bride gone crazy wouldn’t work, so I went with mom gone crazy.
“I thought it would be fun to have Zoe alone with Zak’s mom so I decided to have him go out of town and her show up with a wedding planner and crew just as he is leaving. I decided this in about two minutes as I typed the opening paragraph. Once I started, I just moved the characters around and let them live their lives. In other words I let the characters tell the story.”
Those with a penchant for labels would call Kathi Daley a classic “pantser,” i.e., one who writes by the seat of her pants. Daley doesn’t bother with labels.
“I know this sounds like an unspectacular way to write but it is what I do. I can almost write as fast as I can read. It is much the same experience. I just let the story tell itself as I engage with the characters who are very real to me. When you don’t know where you are going, you tend to follow the clues along with the protagonist and take the long route. I believe this is my secret to multilayered story lines.”
Daley doesn’t expect that she’ll ever receive an Edgar or Pulitzer. She said, “This is not ‘important’ literature and I have no designs on writing something that will win awards or generate interest on the talk show circuit. I just have these characters in my head that like to get out and play and I provide a method for them to do so. It is no more or no less complicated than that.”
More information about Kathi Daley
Learn more about Kathi Daley on her website at www.kathidaley.com.
I love Kathi Daley and I loved this interview! 🙂
Thanks sb8857!
Terry, Your interview well describes Kathi Daley as I’ve come to both appreciate her creative writing talent and the person behind that creativity. I literally came across her books thru a blogger and Amazon cozy mystery suggestion. Her works have provided hours of pleasure and distraction for me as our family confronts numerous challenges. She is one of the few authors, until recently, that actually allowed herself to interact with those who appreciate her books. One of our daughters has recently started to read her works as well and has been both surprised with the number of consistently well written works and the ability to remain creative and interesting as each series grows. I’m glad I saw the link to your blog and hope to follow your works as well.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. It appears that we bloggers do have value! 🙂
Kathi is one of my very favorite authors. It is so much fun to read her books. When I get a new one, I know I’m going to dive in, enjoy a mystery and some fun characters, and I also know I won’t have to wait too long for the next installment in the series. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this post!
You’re welcome, Brooke. Glad you liked it.
Kathi Daley is a great person and a prolific writer. All four of her series are great, and the Whales and Tails books just happen to be my favorites. Thank you for featuring one of my favorite authors!
You’re quite welcome Linda. I’m glad I found her!
I love Kathi’s books. When I finish one, I want to pick up the next one immediately and jeep the story going. She keeps your attention from start to end plus you have the added bonus of recipes!
Thanks for stopping by, Nancy, and for the comment!
ALL OF THE BOOKS HOLD YOUR INTEREST FROM 1ST CHAPTER ON TO THE LAST. HAVE TOTALLY ENJOYED EVERY ONE OF THEM. THANK YOU KATHI…..
And thank you for stopping by, Noreen!
Kathi’s books touch the hearts of her readers by writing about subjects that are lighthearted and fun. She keeps us engaged with her personally via her website, contests, giveaways and social media thus by allowing the reader to become part of the process. It is a endearing quality that makes her readers loyal fans.
Thanks for stopping by Mari! You and Kathi’s other fans prove she’s doing the right things.
Great article! Kathi is the best and so is her writing.
Glad you liked it, Donna!
My experience with Kathi is that she is a warm, caring person who uses more resources than anyone else I’m aware of to create a bond with her readers. Her stories are fun to read, and no, I don’t expect earth shattering literature. I just want an enjoyable experience when I pick up one of her books, and she provides it.
Thanks for the comment. I agree that what’s important is entertainment value. Based on the responses I’m seeing in these comments from fans like you, she certainly provides it.
Thank you Terry. You did a wonderful job pulling my rambled response to your questions into an interesting article.
Thanks Kathi, I’m glad you like it.
She not only writes fast , but she is good . Love all her books .
What a great interview. I have read some of Kathi’s books and they are delightful. Ever since I came across her books and learned more about her, I have been amazed at how quickly she can write a book! Great author!
I, too, was amazed at how fast she is, Betty.
I love Kathi’s characters in all her series. I read them as fast as she releases them. Kathi is also very involved with her fans . She is accessible, which I love! Thanks for the blog!
You’re welcome, Barbara! How much fun that I hit an author you already read 🙂