096I – Diversity and Disabled Characters: An Interview with Kathryn R Biel

Today's guest is Kathryn R Biel, author of chick lit, romantic comedies, women's fiction, and more - and probably no relation to actor Jessica Biel, although she's asked that a lot. Due to a horrendous Internet connection that was constantly going out the day before, when we recorded the interview a second time we were so relieved to not have to repeat every sentence that we forgot to look at the clock!In this rather long - but fun! - interview, we talk about resilient women, IKEA, defeating evil, the Spice Girls, writing, the Avengers, and diversity, moving from subject to subject with ease. :-D Oh, and we also talk about her brand new book, Paradise by the Dashboard Light.We really got caught up in our topic when we started talking about disabled/differently-abled people and how underrepresented they are in fiction. Kathryn is a school physical therapist by day and interacts constantly with people with mental and/or physical challenges, so she finds herself including similar types of characters in her books.We hope you enjoy our interesting and fun conversation that takes us all over the writing map. :-D You can find Kathryn on her website, Facebook, and on Twitter and Instagram as @KRBiel. Also, check out the Facebook group she and some friends put together to share upbeat books with happy endings, Smart Reads, Happily Ever Afters.