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Author Interviews

Chicago: Setting as Character

November 19, 2019 by Nancy LaFever Leave a Comment

Author Dana Killion has published three thrillers in the Andrea Kellner series. Like her lead character, Dana is a Chicago resident. Her fourth book, “Tell Me a Lie,” will be out in January.

EC: Your books are set in Chicago and the city plays such a significant role you could almost call it a character. But some of your scenes are set in such iconic Chi-Town locales, they might easily overwhelm your characters and the action. How do you keep that in balance?

DK: I’m a writer who starts my drafting process with a scene-by-scene outline. In that outline, I’m working through the plot as my primary focus. It’s a “who-does-what” and “why-do-they-do-it?” exploration. But once I’m in draft mode, my head switches to character. By knowing who my characters are, I can formulate ideas about where they might live and work, which then leads to setting.

I base my choice of specific settings on what I know of the people. Andrea is a city girl like me, and that means she’s out and about in her neighborhood and her investigations take her where the plot demands. For me, it’s never a specific place that starts my thought process, the place is dictated by the events or plot points of the story. In my books, setting is there to enhance and support action and character. Chicago has such rich history and variety, that setting is the easy part.

EC: What are some of your MC Andrea’s favorite Chicago haunts?

DK: This is one area where Andrea and I are one and the same. I gave her a home and a neighborhood that I know well. Her co-op is based on one that I looked at quite a number of years ago and really, really wanted to buy. I have a remodeling passion and it was a grand old wreck that needed someone to love it again. My husband was not enthralled, however. Being a city girl, Andrea enjoys her restaurants and her wine, so all of the restaurants, vino, and specific dishes, are real things I have first-hand knowledge of. When I eat out, I’m secretly evaluating the “Andrea worthy” status of the joint. Tough research!

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I love interviewing my authors about their writing process and showcasing their unique talents. You’ll also find editing “secrets” and other tips on my blog.

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My work relationship with Nancy has been stellar. In 2020, when interviewing her to be my editor, I stressed that I needed someone who was not afraid to be brutally honest with me. I needed a demanding professorial type and that she’s been. But when she comes back to me, she brings great recommendations on how to improve … and she delivers them with a brilliant sense of humor! I am currently writing a piece that requires deep knowledge of the Civil Rights Era. As the editor, she has gone beyond what I’d consider the normal range of her editorial duties – she has researched facts, voice, capitalizations, etc. to make sure my writing is true–yet sensitive–to its time. I wholeheartedly recommend Nancy!

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