Birthday Girl
I’ve visualized her writing ‘Kiss the Bricks’ at night, in a dimly lit room. Maybe sipping a martini or a vodka tonic to help the words flow from her mind through the tips of her fingers to the keyboard itself. I see her writing about me, a bit character, portraying a journalist (yes, I once was).
She types, “What’s your name? I asked the journalist. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Rick Ollie.” Hi Rick Ollie, I’m Kate Reilly.”
There’s more to the exchange, but I’m going to encourage you to purchase her book through Amazon for the rest, as this is no book review. However, if you pay close attention, I may disclose more throughout my own keystrokes. You never know. – Rick
‘Meet: Tammy Kaehler, Author.’
“For f*ck’s sake!” I tell myself, in Tammy’s own written words from a Kate Reilly novel, let’s get this started! She sites that line as one of two favorites she’s penned, “because it made a couple friends of mine (hi Barb and Mary!) laugh hysterically, and it reminds me of being with them in person for once and enjoying their laughter.”
While speaking of friends, Tammy has become one of the best. Friends come and go, yet our relationship is, how I say, unique. No mystique. No preconditions. Simply friends. The best kind of friendship with no onset nor ending. With mutual respect and decency to be there for one another. Earlier this year, when my medical struggles began, she was the first to offer well wishes. I thank you once more, my friend!
I had actually lost track of how many books Tammy has had published thus the inquisition began. “Five books in my Kate Reilly Racing Mystery Series were published by Poisoned Pen Press between 2011 and 2017,” she replied without walking away from earshot and saying in her Kate Reilly undertone, “Who do these people write for?”
The Califorian began writing as a day job in 1996 and added, “but that was (and still is) non-fiction, business, or technical writing, not fiction. I started writing fiction in 2003. I was in my thirties, so I was a late starter!”
Background:
What struck me most was her background; I would’ve thought for sure she had begun her career somewhere as a writer, yet we had never spoke of it until now. Unlike myself that wanted to become a lawyer and switched majors during my college days. Her’s came afterwards. “My college degree is in Anthropology and Linguistics, aka, how language is used in culture,” Tammy said, when I asked of her past. “What I really have a background in is reading fiction. Reading (always fiction) has been my number one hobby my entire life. Really, reading represents my hobbies number one through five, if you’re going by the amount of time I spend on it,” she added.
Our struggles entering the writing world sounded pretty familiar, as you have to knock on many doors before one finally opens. She continues, “From 2003-2004, I wrote a manuscript that will never see the light of day, but that helped me learn what the process was like. Then I wrote the first Kate Reilly Racing Mystery between 2004 and 2006. I got an agent in 2006 and a publisher in 2010, so it took 4+ years to find a publisher. Dead Man’s Switch was published in 2011,” definitely a long wait for the up-and-coming author.
‘Sure, you will,” claimed Kate, “when I heard Rick mumble,” as he shifted gears for a new topic of inquiry. Let’s talk about your least favorite part of writing, I had asked. Swear mine is proofreading, I intertwined after the question.
“Sitting my butt in the damn chair! I have no fear of the blank page, and I don’t mind editing or proofreading. But it’s so much easier to play with my cats or read someone else’s excellent book or rearrange the spice cabinet or something than to sit down and do the work.” I can envision her as she answered this question with a cat or two on her lap while typing away. She’s most assuredly a cat mom.
Support:
As a former reporter, I know all too well how difficult being a writer can be. Especially if you’re married or in a relationship. In my case it was the hours upon hours away from home only to return to sift through notes and do further research. Late nights missed dinners you name it; it happens even days away from home are commonplace.
My next question was directed right at that issue, as I know she’s married. I posed it as simple as possible when I asked.
How supportive is your husband?
“Tremendously supportive,” Tammy begins. “He encourages without encroaching or nagging and supports whatever I want to do, whether that’s taking a break or trying something new. Or traveling to auto races halfway across the country without him.”
“Lately he’s been all in,” and I sense she’s thinking to herself before finishing. He’s -Rick- not the only one asking “as I’ve gotten deeply involved in a local cat rescue organization and done a lot of writing and fundraising for them. He’s even helped medicate, bathe, and cuddle foster kittens (not to mention scooping their poop). All of that effort has led to me starting a possible new mystery series with a whole lot of cats in it.” Cat’s mom. My famous two-word sentence for the blog.
If you’re interested in making a donation to help out Tammy’s feline friends, I’ve included links for further information.
Love Your Feral Felines | LYFF Champions-Donate Today
Favorite Author:
When I inquired on whom her favorite author is, she responded, “Just one?” before continuing, “Dick Francis is a go-to, because he wrote mysteries that taught you something, made you think, and made you feel smart while reading them. Jenn McKinlay writes an unbelievable number of books every year—mysteries in three series and standalone romances. My friend Wendall Thomas writes amazingly funny, slapstick, international-travel mysteries. Nora Roberts/JD Robb is one of the most prolific romance/romantic suspense writers today, and I count on her books to be a good and satisfying read. I could go on…”
Inspiration:
“Honestly, any writer who keeps doing the work, keeps learning and growing, and keeps producing a good story,” I could see this answer coming from a writer. Writing is unlike any other field. Five writers can be given the same information and compose five different narratives. And in the end, each will find something to praise the others of. It’s just that way. She continued, “I just returned from the annual “world mystery conference,” and it’s always a huge boost to talk with other mystery writers—some I don’t know, some unpublished, and some legends in the field. I always come home inspired, reassured, and motivated.”
Rick (Me):
Although we were friends long before ‘Kiss The Bricks,’ there weren’t any talks about using my name in any books. One day I came across a post by her asking to use someone’s real name in a book she was currently working on. It took less than five seconds for my volunteerism to reach her inbox. My brain hadn’t had time to think of the ramifications before that send button was hit. That came later when she sent me an ‘Uncorrected Proof’ copy of the book.
It was then I realized how special this had become. My name is in a book with an ISBN Number. Now that’s special.
Enclosed is the most heartfelt note I have ever received. I had known from the onset my character was slated to be a ‘douchebag.’ I was ok with it. I still laugh at the notion.
The message she had handwritten read as such: To Rick – Who’s much nicer than his character in this book! Tammy Kaehler
After its publication I did obtain an actual copy of the book, which one day I’ll have her autograph as well. Maybe at next year’s Indy 500 in Indianapolis or sooner if I journey to Disneyland later this year.
There was still one lingering question that I had to ask.
Why did you choose me for ‘Kiss the Bricks?’ I still like telling people you helped create me…guess you really did.
“I needed a name! You responded quickly and were so enthusiastic, I had to pick you. And it’s a good, solid name that I very much appreciate the use of. I always hoped you wouldn’t be bothered by the description of that character—since we’d never met, it had nothing to do with you at all. So I’m glad you have enjoyed it. Though I do feel like I should have given your name a bigger role. Maybe in a future book….”
Birthday Girl:
As I neared conclusion of this article, I was reminded today (September 13th) is Tammy’s Birthday. A mere fluke perhaps but maybe a sign of what real friendship is about. I’ve wanted to honor her since I’ve returned to writing and started this website. And like with my medical issues, she was one of the first to follow the accompanying Facebook Business Page attached to it. You can’t ask for a better friend than one that sticks by your side without hesitation. And for that I am forever indebted to you.
However, today is about you. I thought the best gift would be your picture engraved into the Borg Warner Trophy. But that would be a bit pricey. So I created the next best thing.
Here’s to wishing you the Happiest of all Birthdays! May your day be blessed beyond your imagination, all your dreams come true, and the love of your life forever be by your side! Happy Birthday, Tammy!
Writers Note:
I’d like to thank both Tammy and Chet for allowing me to intrude in their life long enough to write this piece. And especially thank Tammy for the friendship throughout the years. It’s been a sheer joy!
And to my readers, with it being Tammy’s Birthday I’d encourage each of you, if you can, to please donate to LYFF, in her honor, to help her feline friends with a better life. Remember the link to the organization is above in the story. If you’re interested in the Kate Reilly Racing Mystery Series, they’re all available at Amazon.
You can find Tammy on social media at:
Tammy Kaehler, Author (@tkaehler_author) • Instagram
Tammy Kaehler (@tkaehler) / X (twitter.com)
Tammy Kaehler, Author (@tkaehler_author) on Threads
Tammy Kaehler (@tammykaehler) | TikTok
You can find my sites at Linktree and if you enjoy my writings, please consider hitting that cup of coffee and making a donation. Thank you!
Leave a Reply