Welcome to my Second Acts Series!
Today, we have Canadian author Katherine Prairie sharing her love of science and her recent release Thirst.
Here’s Katherine!
I read through the many marvelous stories here about authors who took chances and created second, third or even fourth acts in their lives, each focused on something different. It gave me pause, because although I too have shifted my focus, I feel as though my writing is simply an extension of my life, rather than a change. Let me explain.
From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a scientist. I was curious about everything, and I wanted answers! I thought about medicine, chemistry, physics, but it was geology that intrigued me, and I studied mining geology first, but ultimately went to work in the oil and gas industry. I loved computer programming and I soon found my niche as a computer modeling specialist on international projects. If you’re keeping track, you’ll see that I’ve already switched three times – mining geology, petroleum geology and geological computer specialist!
I spent almost twenty-five years in the petroleum industry, but not without a few more changes. I added a graduate degree in engineering hydrology, completed advanced training in computer programming and database design, and moved onto project management. I also created a year-long training program for a local college, taught workshops, wrote technical manuals, published a computer programming book and developed computer models for clients from too many industries to count, all while running a consulting company. To be honest, I’m not sure how many acts that covers!
When I finally decided to step away from the petroleum industry, I did so with a heavy heart. I loved the science, but I was ready to slow down a little. In the quiet that followed, I started writing mysteries instead of technical manuals and when I found a way to weave science into my storylines, I once again found my niche. And the Alex Graham mystery series featuring a mining geologist was born.
I’ve moved through many acts, but throughout it all runs a single thread – my love of science. So to me it feels more like one richly layered act that hasn’t completely played out yet.
My advice is to be fearless and follow your passion because it will take you down a most interesting path. And if you’re lucky, instead of closing each act and starting again, your career will simply evolve into a unique expression of all your experiences.
Blurb
Explosive violence rocks Canada’s Slocan Valley after the shooting deaths of three teenagers in a bombing attempt at the Brilliant dam. A joint US-Canada military force locks down the area to protect dams critical to both countries but martial law incites more violence.
Geologist Alex Graham refuses to let politics stand in her way. She evades military patrols to slip into a restricted zone in her hunt for a silver mine to claim as her own. But her plans are derailed by an intentionally set fire that almost takes her life.
Someone wants her out of the Valley.
When Alex discovers a gunshot victim in an abandoned mine, she fears she could be next. But she’s never been one to wait for trouble to come to her and she tracks a suspicious man seen once too often in the lonely mountains.
All eyes are on the dams, but the true threat lies elsewhere.
Buy Links
Amazon (Canada) | Amazon (United States)
Bio
Katherine, a geologist and IT specialist, stepped away from the international petroleum industry to follow her passion for writing. An avid traveller with an insatiable curiosity, you never know where you’ll find her next! But most days, she’s in Vancouver, Canada quietly plotting murder and mayhem under the watchful eye of a cat. She is an award-winning presenter and the author of the thriller THIRST.
Where to find Katherine…
Joanne here!
Katherine, I’m impressed by the rich tapestry of experiences you have seamlessly woven together. Best of luck with all your literary endeavors.
All writers, from time to time, experience the dreaded block. I’m not referring to the chopping block (though it may as well be) but rather ‘writer’s block’. This is a condition otherwise known as a withering, about-to-be dried up landscape once it descends upon a writer’s corpus callosum, kind of like a dust cloud. Writer’s block is a loathsome annoyance, and there are plenty of images of the greats (think Hemingway) who’ve demonstrated various coping skills by swigging unlimited bottles of wine or whiskey to dredge up something from the recesses of their dusty skulls.
Maybe you’re developing a hum-drum mood, or stuck in stagnation. Loosen up. It’s okay to have a glass of wine (just not a keg, mind you) to ease your mental straitjacket. Go buy a decadent dessert. Do something to reward yourself. You should avoid criticizing yourself and your work. All work and no play is never a good idea. Just don’t get lost in your playground every day.
Humor is one of the best strategies for coping with anything in life. Writing requires so much internal, right-brain thinking it can become exhausting. Humor, either for yourself, or introduced in your writing, can unleash a floodgate of ideas and a new perspective. A good belly laugh is always appreciated – by the writer and the reader.
Born in beautiful British Columbia, Kim developed a passion for writing at an early age. Her interest in people led her all over the globe, including a two year stay in Japan and a humanitarian trip to Rwanda.
Today I love my body. I’ve stopped worrying about it and started enjoying it. My body is a marvelous temple, a vehicle that transports me through life and facilitates emotion and pleasure.
Click to get your free gift from Dr. Ellen ~ 
I’m a book lover, a daydreamer and a hopeless romantic. I’m a writer of cozy mysteries with an element of romance. I’m a mother of two girls and in my spare time I dog walk, play golf and tennis. I also grab a game of Mah Jongg whenever I can which inspired me to write my first book, The Missing Mah Jongg Player.
Carly Jordynn is a writer from Northern Kentucky who loves to weave tales of fantasy, paranormal, and romance. When she isn’t writing a book, she writes lyrics for the Christian band, Phil Parks and One Step Closer.
Joanne Guidoccio 