High Flying - 2019
Kaylin, thank you for taking your time for my audience and myself ~
You’re most welcome! Thanks for having me.
Who are your influences?
I’m influenced by everything in my life—the people I meet, the trips I take, the experiences I’m fortunate to have. When it comes to thriller or suspense fiction, I’m influenced by James Patterson, Victoria Helen Stone, David Baldacci, Lee Child and J.D. Robb.
When did you begin writing?
I started writing poetry when I was about ten years old and occasionally wrote a short story or two over the years. But I didn’t get serious about the craft of writing books until fourteen years ago, when my father lost his battle to cancer. I dealt with my frustrations and heartache by writing Flaherty’s Crossing, which ultimately won numerous awards.
How do you come up with your stories, characters, character names, POV, etc.?
I know it sounds unbelievable, but I actually dream up my stories literally from beginning to end. The characters are people I’ve met at one time or another in my life, and their names reflect who they are in my mind. After they take shape in my computer, their flaws and personality traits take over and ultimately drive the story.
If you could actually meet one of your characters, who would it be? Why?
I’d like to meet Skylar Haines face to face. She’s my lead character and protagonist in High Flying. Skylar is tough and gritty but also kind and caring. Her growth in the story is what makes her unique, along with her ability to overcome any obstacle. She’s loyal and trustworthy, and I think she’d make a great friend.
Do you work from an outline?
I’m actually a “panster”—which mean I write by the seat of my pants. There’s never an outline for one of my books. But I do use Pinterest to visualize and “see” my characters and to also determine the actions they’re going to take. If you look at my boards, every story is basically outlined by the characters I bring into them, if that makes any sense.
Tell me about your favorite scene in your novel(s).
One of my favorite scenes in Twisted Threads is toward the end of the book, when Akira kills a villain and woman she once thought of as a friend. She is forced to dispose of her body on a cruise ship and must depend on the man she loves to help her. The conversation she has with him reveals her true feelings and hidden life as an assassin, which could destroy their relationship or bring them closer together. It’s a powerful, moving scene, which brought me to tears while writing it.
Can you tell us a little about your writing philosophy?
I write about what moves me, emotionally and mentally, and strongly encourage other authors to do the same. I think it’s important to stay true to your voice but to also write about what you know, whether it be through personal experiences or intense research. It’s important to reach your readers and, it you’re lucky, touch their souls with your words.
Have you ever tried writing in any other genres?
My first book, Flaherty’s Crossing, was mainstream women’s fiction with romantic elements. The Threads series I recently completed ranges from suspense thriller to murder mystery, going from treasure hunting in the Pacific Ocean to recovering artifacts in Japan and solving crimes in England. My latest book, High Flying, is a psychological thriller and the next book might be a sci-fi. So I guess you could say I’ve covered quite a few genres thus far.
Do you have any interesting writing-related anecdotes to share?
For me, I maintain a common practice while writing. I keep a glass of wine close by while writing love scenes, Kleenex on my desk while writing heart breakers, and have been known to empty a box of caramel-filled chocolates when I’ve completely stumped.
Do you listen to music as you write?
I do and it varies with the scenes I’m writing. I start with Enya, evolve into Stevie Nicks, expand with Sheryl Crow, and wrap with Dave Matthews or Beck.
Where is your favorite place to read?
In San Diego, next to my pool in a lounge chair. The air is magic there and the white wine is within easy reach.
What is the current book your reading? Lisa Gardner’s Never Tell. Scary stuff!!
Kaylin, here are some suggestions I feel readers would like to read:
The inspiration behind your book, the benefits of your book for the reader and any personal related story compared with the world of your book ~
The inspiration behind your book, the benefits of your book for the reader and any personal related story compared with the world of your book ~
In 1958, United Airlines received its first Douglas DC-8—the first jet aircraft to fly from Los Angeles to Chicago and on to New York. I remember sitting on my father’s shoulders, watching this plane take off from the tarmac at LAX, and one year later riding on board, handing out Chicklet gum to all the passengers. At that time, it didn’t seem possible that air travel would grow to the unimaginable scale we enjoy today. I’ve been privileged throughout my life to visit every country in Europe, a few in Central America, ditto in Africa and most of Asia, not counting trips to Australia and more than 100 throughout the United States—all by air. As a result, I knew that someday I would write a story about flying to a remarkable place. Then seven months ago, my husband came up with the wonderful idea of tackling one that involved time travel as well. It seemed that the perfect opportunity to turn my creative juices loose had presented itself with the completion of my Threads series. Thus, I went to work, creating this romping thriller with an unexpected twist or two that I hope readers will enjoy and perhaps learn something from, whether it be the cause of self-harm, overcoming the negatives in our life, or simply learning to trust in love.
Kaylin, thanks for a great time! Love your writing-related anecdotes and along with your music choices - what a great mix! I hope High Flying goes as well as your award-winning romantic suspense novel, Severed Threads.
On the behalf of my reader's Kaylin, we thank you!
Kaylin, thanks for a great time! Love your writing-related anecdotes and along with your music choices - what a great mix! I hope High Flying goes as well as your award-winning romantic suspense novel, Severed Threads.
On the behalf of my reader's Kaylin, we thank you!
About the author:
Connect with Kaylin
Linda Yoshida, aka Kaylin McFarren, is a rare bird indeed. Not a migratory sort, she prefers to hug the West Coast and keep family within visiting range. Although she has virtually been around the world, she was born in California, relocated with her family to Washington, and nested with her husband in Oregon. In addition to playing an active role in his business endeavors, she has been involved in all aspects of their three daughters' lives - taxi duties, cheerleading coaching, script rehearsals, and relationship counseling, to name but a few. Now she enjoys spending undisciplined time with her two young grandsons and hopes to have many more.
Although Kaylin wasn't born with a pen in hand like so many of her talented fellow authors, she has been actively involved in both business and personal writing projects for many years. As the director of a fine art gallery, she assisted in furthering the careers of numerous visual artists who under her guidance gained recognition through promotional opportunities and in national publications. Eager to spread her own creative wings, she has since steered her energy toward writing novels. As a result, she has earned more than forty national literary awards and was a 2008 finalist in the prestigious RWA® Golden Heart contest.
Kaylin is a member of RWA, Rose City Romance Writers, and Willamette Writers. She received her AA in Literature at Highline Community College, which originally sparked her passion for writing. In her free time, she also enjoys giving back to the community through participation and support of various charitable and educational organizations in the Pacific Northwest, including her own non-profit—the Soulful Giving Foundation, benefiting cancer research, care, and treatment at hospitals in Oregon.
Publisher: Creative Edge Publishing LLC
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