Tuesday 15 September 2015

How did I get into this Mess?? Debra Purdy Kong guests on the Bad Girl Blog today, with some inside dope on the Security Biz


HOW DID I GET INTO THIS MESS?
 
Bad Girl is pleased to host Debra Purdy Kong today, an intrepid gal who has gone places where few women have gone before!
I am in awe of her.  She'll tell you in her own words...

by Debra Purdy Kong

I stood before a high chain-link fence in the automotive courtyard while the November downpour seeped through my cargo pants. Frantically, I tried to unlock the gate’s rusty padlock with numb fingers. The instructor was on his way and the gate needed opening fast, but the key wouldn’t turn. As my young supervisor pulled up in the security vehicle to see what was taking so long, the instructor arrived. At this point, only one thought crossed my mind: How the hell did I get into this mess?

The truth is, I answered an ad in the paper. You see, I was looking for different type of work and the security field interested me, especially since they were paying for training. As it happened, I was also writing a novel about a transit security cop and quickly saw the research potential.

Executing my brilliant plan wasn’t that easy. After all, I was fifty-three years old and taking on a fairly physical job. This fact didn't concern the woman who hired me, though. She assured me that the company welcomed mature female applicants with life experience. This was only partly true.

Working in lousy weather with young, male coworkers who didn’t respect a middle-aged mom proved to be challenging. My supervisor never did get out of the comfy vehicle to lend a hand with the padlock that I finally managed to open. Over time, I learned to deal with many awkward situations, but it all provided great material for my protagonist Evan Dunstan who has to deal with murder in DEAD MAN FLOATING. I like Evan. He’s the kind of guy who’ll get out of the car to help the newbies with rusty padlocks.

EXCERPT FROM DEAD MAN FLOATING:

Propping the kickstand, Evan removed the small flashlight attached to his belt then stepped nearer the water. Oh shit! It was a hand! A freakin’ hand! And legs! He moved the flashlight up the body until he spotted the grey fringe circling a bald head that glowed like a moon. Evan shivered. Was the guy alive? He wouldn’t have to perform CPR, would he? That first-aid course last year didn’t go so well after he broke that manikin.

DEBRA’S BIO:


Author of six mysteries and over fifty short stories, Debra has won numerous awards for her work. She conducts workshops, is an administrative assistant at Simon Fraser University, and also works as a substitute facilitator for the creative writing program with Port Moody Parks & Recreation. More information about Debra’s books and her blog can be found at www.debrapurdykong.com
Or find her on Twitter @DebraPurdyKong

DEAD MAN FLOATING can be ordered at:




11 comments:

  1. Evan sounds like someone I'd like too. Your supervisor, on the other hand...

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Alison. Yes, not all of the supervisors were helpful people-friendly types. But there were also some really great ones!!

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  2. Love the lengths you will go to for research, Debra! I can just picture you out in the rain fumbling with the lock. I would have turned and run by then, so I admire your stamina. I cannot WAIT to read DEAD MAN FLOATING.

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  3. Thank you, Cathy. That week, I truly wondered if I'd make it to Christmas. But tenacity is one of my strong suits, and I wasn't about to let some of the those young macho co-workers think they'd been right about me.

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  4. Love the idea of a paid job as research, Debra. Now if your character had been a surgeon or a pilot, it might've been tougher to pull off a job in the right field. On the other hand, the comedy potential would be off the charts...

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    1. Thanks for your comments, Allan. Yeah. Too bad I didn't choose higher paying jobs for my research. :) But I certainly came across a lot of crime plots to ponder. :)

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  5. Good for you, Debra, for having the courage to put yourself in your protagonist's shoes. I'm sure your real-life experience shows on the page. Adding Dead Man Floating to my TBR list.

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  6. Good for you, Debra, for having the courage to put yourself in your protagonist's shoes. I'm sure your real-life experience shows on the page. Adding Dead Man Floating to my TBR list.

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    1. Thank you, Sandy. In hindsight, I'm really glad I took the risk and experienced what I did, not just for the writing possibilities, but to challenge myself on a personal level.

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  7. I can hardly wait to read Dead Man Floating, Debra! It sounds like there's a great protagonist, plenty of action, and perhaps some humour? And I'm sure your writing is more realistic for having some on-the-job skills! As we get older, I'm not sure whether we are more courageous, or just don't give a heck! We sure have more fun, though.

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    1. Thank you, Gloria. In some ways I'm more courageous than I was when I was younger, but in other ways not so much. And yes, there is some humour...:)

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