Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/566726
CHANGING LANES 24 SEPTEMBER 2015 // WWW.CHANGINGLANESDIGITAL.COM On The Road the Grapevine, is set in and around Los Angeles. My most recent one, Sundown on Top of the World, is set in the Yukon and Alaska. Using new locations for each book takes a lot of research, but it keeps the scenarios fresh and interesting for readers." Possibly due to Donald's past working in the industry, one of the strongest aspects of the books are the vivid, intriguing characters that fill the pages. The characters seem like people you would actually encounter working as truck drivers or dispatchers, and they go through struggles that those in the industry have likely experienced. The plot, with plenty of twists and turns, draws readers in, regardless of if you typically read mystery novels or not. We chatted with author of the series R.E. Donald, to get insight into how she came up with her successful series. Where did you get the idea for your "Highway Mysteries" series? I've been an avid mystery reader since my teens and I always enjoy discovering a mystery series with characters I find engaging and stories that surprise me. I combined elements from some of my favorite series with a setting that was familiar to me, the North American transportation industry. I wanted a "detective" with a background in professional investigations, so I chose to make my trucker detective a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police homicide investigator. What is your experience with trucking? I began my career in the transportation industry in the 70s working for Emery Air Freight, then took a job at Alltrans Express, a major Canadian trucking company. I did consulting work for a few other trucking companies after I left Alltrans. I've never driven a truck myself, but I've worked with many drivers over the years, including my late husband. He began as a driver, then started his own trucking company in British Columbia and eventually worked in management positions for several others based in eastern Canada. When did you decide to start writing the series? Was there anything specific that prompted you to do so? I've been a student most of my life, albeit just part-time during the years I had to make a living. I had just graduated after several years of marketing studies at a local college and decided that I'd like to take an evening class in creative writing, a subject I'd always been drawn to but neglected since leaving university. I got such great feedback from the other students that I decided to fulfill a lifelong dream and try my hand at writing a novel. Of course, I wanted to write the same type of novel that I most enjoyed reading. Did you go into the writing process planning a series? Absolutely! I enjoy reading books