Kate Carlisle | One-Track Mind

You know how when you start something new, a job or a hobby, suddenly,
everywhere you look, you’re reminded of it? The world hasn’t changed, but your
perception of it has. Things your gaze would’ve skipped over in the past command
your attention now. Like if you start scrapbooking for the first time in your
life, and you begin to notice scrapbooking supplies in every store on the
planet. (Seriously, what’s up with that?)

That’s what’s happening to me right now. I’ve started a new series—the Fixer-Upper Mysteries—and now reminders are everywhere! Shannon Hammer owns Hammer Construction, specializing in renovating Victorian homes in her hometown, Lighthouse Cove, California. One assumes, despite their phallic shape, that lighthouses are incapable of reproducing themselves, and yet everywhere I look these days, I see lighthouses. In ornaments, paintings, real life… Shannon has a dog and a cat. The dog is a Westie, surely one of the cutest breeds on earth. Before I wrote A HIGH-END FINISH, maybe I caught one of those Little Caesar commercials every now and then, but now, it’s a full-on Westie takeover. Knitted into sweaters, woven into purses. And, of course, actual Westies smiling up at me from all sides. A friend sent me a picture from Austria, of a group of men re-roofing a house in the Alps. Gorgeous scenery in this picture, interesting construction technique. And yet my first thought, I kid you not, was, “Now that’s A HIGH-END FINISH! You don’t get much higher than that.” I hope all these lovely little reminders are the universe’s way of telling me that the Fixer-Upper Mysteries are going to be a hit because I am having more fun than should be legal writing them. My dream is to alternate writing the Fixer-Upper Mysteries with the Bibliophile Mysteries for years to come. In A HIGH-END FINISH, Shannon discovers a body in the basement of a beautiful Victorian home she’s been hired to restore. The victim was killed with a tool from the construction site. A pink tool. Shannon’s. Worse, the last time the man was seen in public was at the end of a blind date gone wrong, with Shannon threatening to hurt him if he didn’t leave her alone. Who do you suppose the handsome new police chief should suspect? With the help of her friends, her dad, and a mysterious crime writer who has just moved to Lighthouse Cove, Shannon must track down the killer who’s trying to frame her for murder. What is your job or favorite hobby, and how do you think it impacts how you see the world?

 

Comments

3 comments posted.

Re: Kate Carlisle | One-Track Mind

my favorite hobby has no impact on the world
(Denise Holcomb 5:57pm November 4, 2014)

My favorite hobby is knitting, outside of reading, and they
both impact how I see things. First, besides always looking
at titles on both magazines and books when I'm at the
bookstores, libraries, and garage sales, when I'm in the
stores, I always check out now only what is new in yarn. I
also look at sweaters and other knit goods, to see what
strikes my fancy, and what I could possibly make myself, for
less money. I'm not one of those women who takes photos
with my phone, however. I keep the idea in my head for
later reference, since I seem to be drawn to the same idea.
I also like to people watch, and see if I can tell whether
the item they're wearing is hand made or not. I know you
mentioned lighthouses, and where I live is right by one of
our Great Lakes. I am a bit surrounded by that type of
artwork, since we have a handful of lighthouses here, that I
love, and I also have a few pieces of lighthouse art in my
apartment, as well as lighthouse curtains that are done in
lacework. I really fell in love with them when I spotted
them, and got no complaints from my Husband!! The cover to
your book was done with so much color and care, as I'm sure
the story to your book was. I'm really looking forward to
reading it!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:49am November 5, 2014)

I work as an accountant for my state government, so my job impacts many people. It impacts how I see the world by bringing to my attention wasteful spending by politicians. Yesterday was Election Day & I made sure I voted to get the big spenders out of office.

On the other hand, my favorite hobby is reading. It helps me see parts of the world I otherwise might not get to see. I've also been known to use a scene from a book to manipulate my own relationship. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but it is always fun! I am looking forward to reading A High-End Finish. Thank you for writing great books!
(Kathleen Giannone 8:32pm November 5, 2014)

Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!