thewritekat's Writing Room

About Me

I just finished the third rewrite of my first novel, Odds On Murder. It was not as easy as I envisioned and took about a year longer than I had hoped, (two years total). I've been told that the first one is "practice." I refuse to believe it, and I expect "Odds" to be published within the next two years. I will, however, start working on the second novel. It confounds me when people ask an author, "Where do you get your ideas?" I've never had that problem. My biggest writing challenge has always been deciding on ONE idea, and then following through without trashing the first few chapters of a book because I think it's crap and I can do better. We can always do better, can't we? But producing is the first step...

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Interests and Hobbies

Books and Authors

I could name all the classics, but truth be told, I prefer modern literature. Call me shallow.
I tend to read mainly mystery/suspense, with an occasional mainstream novel or nonfiction "how-to." I like Karin Slaughter, Tess Gerritsen, Ken Bruen, Joe Konrath, Dennis Lehane, Con Lehane, (no, they're not related), Krk Russell, Joyce Carol Oates, John Updike, David Baldacci, Nevada Barr, Jeffery Deaver, Sean Chercover and more I can't think of right now. Re: specific books...if I like a writer, I generally enjoy all or most of their books.

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Movies and Screenwriters

"The Way We Were," "Sea of Love," Once Upon a Time in Mexico," "Love Actually," "Copycat," and anything Hitchcock.

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Music and Lyricists

I don't really have a favorite type of music. It depends on my mood. That said, I guess I do favor the Blues, with Billie Holiday, B.B. king Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker at the top of my list. I also like U2, Duffy, Chris Isaak, Watson & Company, Van Morrison, old Led Zeppelin, old Beatles, Loreena McKennit, the Doors, Elvis, sound tracks from "Love Actually" and "The Sopranos," (mafia, not opera, although I do like some opera), and whatever I hear that strikes an emotional chord in me.

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TV Shows

"24," "Apprentice," "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," "Seinfeld," "Everyone Loves Raymond," Frasier," and any true crime, travel, cooking or news show.

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Comics and Illustrators

?? not really into comics.

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Poets

Edgar Alan Poe

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News Papers

Detroit Free Press

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Websites

Travelocity, Expedia, Trip Advisor, Shaw Guides, some writers' sites with lots of writing links like www.jakonrath.com, Journeywoman. Just realized that, even though I often don't have the bucks to travel, I like reading about it.

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Heroes

Parents who spend time playing with their children and loving them; teachers, especially Special Ed; people who volunteer their time and effort to causes they believe in.

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Quotes

"You eventually become what you pretend to be." Ambrose Bierce.

"You always have options."

"Deal with it."

"It is what it is."

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A Few More Things

The older I get, the more impatient I am with materialistic people, even as I save for the next Big Trip. I tend to value experiences more than things, children more than adults, (for their openness and honesty), nature more than clubbing and writing for myself more than writing for publication although, don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to get published. I just question my own motives at times.

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Hobbies

Reading, writing, cooking, walking/hiking/spending time with family, (most of the time), playing Texas Hold'em, (especially in tournaments), people-watching, traveling.

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Resume

This is a tough one. I don't really have a resume, per se. I worked in Law Enforcement for twenty-five years, both in uniform and undercover; peon and command officer, (I liked peon better--more excitement). Before and during that time, however, I kept my hand in writing. I've written freelance articles for newspaper and newsletters; worked as an advertising copywriter for an ad agency, writing retail print and T.V. ads; had my own business doing corporate and retail editing/writing; had one short story and a poem published; was editor-in-chief of a monthly law enforcement newsletter; and lastly, just finished the third draft of a novel, Odds on Murder. I am currently in the process of sending out queries/requested synopses to New York agents, hoping to snag one. Wish me luck.

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Member Name	Kat
Date of Birth
Gender	Female
Location	Michigan