Jean Daniel – What are your favorite things that you make for Thanksgiving?
I really do love all the traditional things such as turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and gravy. I guess my favorite side dish is a broccoli casserole that has a cheesy sauce and sliced almonds in it.
Jayme Maness – When you’re writing a book, do you have other characters from a different series or maybe a new book try to distract you from what you’re currently working on?
Sometimes. I have several new series that I work on in my spare time that I am trying to find a spot for in my annual publishing schedule. These stories are mostly waiting in the wings but every now and then I’ll have the urge to work on them. Whether I give into that urge or not depends on whether or not I have time or am on a tight deadline.
Donamae Clausen Kutska – What is your favorite spot to write your books?
It depends on the season. If it is summer but not too hot I enjoy writing at the beach or on the back deck. If it is winter I prefer to be upstairs near the fire. If I am on a tight deadline and don’t want any distractions I write in my office, which really does have a beautiful view.
Sandy Swanger Bartles – Describe your typical day of writing. The process you go through.
Most of the time I start off by rereading what I have already written in order to refresh my brain as to where I left off. Once I do that I simply hop on the train and see where the story and the characters take me. Some days I have a specific word goal in mind which determines how long I write. Other times I simply write until I feel like I am at a good stopping point for the day.
Brenda Logan – Tahoe is gorgeous … how are you able to write? I’d be looking out the windows all the time!
I actually do look out the window all the time. I’ve lived here most of my life and I still find it breathtaking.
Sharon Guagliardo – I know you are so very busy with writing and speaking and showing. I am wondering how you prepare for Thanksgiving. Do you make lists? Do you cook? Do you go out? If you cook, are you thinking about characters, books, outlines? Have you ever been sidetracked from cooking by your books? Do you have a funny story about that?
I have a large family and we used to all get together for Thanksgiving every year. If you use my parents as the base they have four children all married so that makes ten. Each of those children have children for a total of 11 for that generation and an overall total of 21. Most of the grandchildren are married adding 8 more to the table, and all of the married grandchildren have children adding 23, for a grand total of 52. Due to the large number of immediate family we began breaking down into smaller groups a few years ago. I have hosted the event on many occasions but most of the time I go down to my sisters for dinner as I am the only one to live in Tahoe so it is a long drive for everyone to come to me.
A full Thanksgiving dinner on a table set in cozy cabin
Nina Banks – Have you never had writers block and what did you do to combat it??
I don’t like to consider the reality of writers block since I really don’t have time to spend any amount of time not writing. If I come to a spot in a story where I don’t know where to go next I usually take a short break like a walk and then get back to it.
Jan Flynn – Off of the writing topic type questions… What made you decide to move where you live now? What type of dog/cat breeds do you like? I am just being nosey. lol
I moved to Tahoe with my family when I was a teenager because my dad got a job here. My parents and all of my siblings have since moved off the mountain and live in Reno which is about 60 miles away. I however love, love, love, Tahoe and will probably stay here until they put me in the ground. As far as dog breeds. I like to have a large dog since I live in daily existence with predators. I used to breed Golden Retrievers which I love, but the last three dogs I’ve had have been Bernese Mountain Dogs. I don’t have a cat due to the predator issue but if I did have one I’d love to have a great big Maine Coon Cat.
Robin Coxon – How far in advance do you have to plan ahead when you are writing a book that takes place around a certain holiday?
As a whole I usually write a book 2 – 3 months prior to publication. That gives me adequate time to have it edited and uploaded for presale.
Sandy Giden – What do you do when you get stuck while writing a story?
I either take a short break like a walk and then get back to it or I just keep typing until something begins to make sense. I then go back and delete all the gibberish.
Rhonda J Gothier – What would be your dream job if not an author?
I’d love to be a meteorologist. Not the kind who sits behind a desk but the kind who goes on location like Jim Cantore.
Kim Templeton – If you could have lunch with any author past or present who would it be and why?
Wow, I really have no answer for this. I don’t have a favorite author or favorite book. I am really intrigued by Joss Whedon so I guess I will say him.
Sharon Braswell – Do you celebrate every time you finish a book?
No. I write a book every 3 weeks so I’d be celebrating all the time. I do celebrate the bigger things like getting a new contract or having my book in a national magazine.
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Random Thoughts and Meaningless Musings 
Thanks for taking the time to answer all of our questions!! 😊
I think we learned a lot about you here, hope you go all the way to the big top!
Thanks for answering these questions. I enjoyed reading the answers.
Wow, with your schedule I’m amazed you still have time to interact with your readers as much as you do. We’re really glad you do though and thank you!!
This is so fun, I love the questions and answers. I wouldn’t think to ask half of them and so interesting. Thanks for doing this.
I love questions and answers. I have said it before, you are my inspiration to write. I hope I can become as disciplined as you are in my writing. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family
It was so interesting to read the questions AND the answers. You are a VERY SPECIAL lady and I love all your books. I pre-order them as soon as the pre-order is available. I feel like I know you because of your vast interactions with your fans, and I applaud you for that. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to give us a peek into your life. Love all the pictures you show us as well! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving with your family!
Kathi thanks for taking time to answer these questions. I have so much respect for my favorite authors. Keep on writing!
Thanks for an interesting Q&A. I think one of the reasons I enjoy all your series so much is that they reflect you and your love of life and family and your attitude to just go ahead and do it.
Loved all the answers!!! You are so down to earth…love it!!
Thanks Kathi for the Q&A -it was very interesting and it was like I was having a conversation with you
It was great reading and all the questions and answers. I like that sort of thing because it makes me get to know an author more. (Not being a stalker, but like someone stated early, just nosey.) I’m highly impressed on how much writting you get done. I attempted to write a travel journal and it looks like my 8th grade self trying to write a :What I did durring summer vacation” paper. Not very good. Some people have and others read it! Those who can’t write, read. 🙂
This was a fun read! I love Q & A with authors. I’m always fascinated with glimpses into a writer’s life. Thanks for sharing part of your life with your readers.
Enjoyed your answers. You live a busy life, but take time to enjoy it! That is a special quality to have. Keep up your wonderful work, and continue to love your surroundings.
I love hearing more about you and your books and characters. It makes it even more fun for us. Thank you.
That was fun to read! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 🙂
Enjoyed your blog today and always look forward to your books.
Thank you for sharing with us. Very interesting. Looking forward to your next book!
This was a fun site today! Thank you for the chance.
Thank you for taking the time to answer all of our questions and for sharing part of your life with us. I honestly don’t know how you do everything you do … and do it all so well, too.
Love hearing what you do in your day to day life.
I absolutely love the simple complexity of your writing. Your books lets us join our fictional friends and enjoy their lives…even if a little murder pops up. Fun!
I love learning about a writer’s life!
Great interview. Love to hear the quotidian things that influence and direct a writer’s life. Thanks!
Great interview. Thanks for giving us a peek into your life. I have no idea how you write a book every three weeks, I couldn’t write a book in three years!.
I am just in awe of your writing, and how you turn books out so quickly that are really wonderful books. I’ve never been to Tahoe before, but it sounds and looks beautiful, and I love your dog! Thanks for sharing with us!
I really enjoyed this post! I agree with you that Tahoe is beautiful!!
Great interview. Thanks for sharing.
You always have time for your readers!! Thank you!!_
Really loved reading all the interesting questions and answers. Learned a lot. Thanks for sharing with us.
Kathi, I really enjoyed learning more about you. Thanks for answering the questions people sent you.
Thanks for answering all these questions, Kathi. I enjoyed reading the answers,
Interesting that you would like to have a job like Jim Cantore. I think he definitely has an exciting job. I so enjoy your books.
I love the questions and answers. It’s fun to learn new and fun facts about our favorite authors. Tahoe is absolutely breathtaking!
Loved all the things you talked about! Your books are always a wonderful escape adventure from daily life.
I love Q & A sessions. It was fun learning more about you, Kathi!
Kathi, If you are ever in Chicago (and our family is at home vs medical travel), I’d love to introduce you to my amazing Golden Retriever! He loves meeting new human friends. The Cat of Christmas Present is wonderful!
Love all the questions and answers and getting to know you better.
Loved the q and a session! It is great to learn more about you. Thank you for sharing.