Kathy Reichs (2014)

What are your top five favourite books?

Hi, Kathy! I'm a bioarchaeology student with an interest in forensic anthropology, and I'm a big fan of your work. My question is: how did you go from dedicated academic (publishing non-fiction) to the prominent and popular author of fiction you are today? What was that transition like, and do you ever receive criticism from the academic community for it?

Do you ever see yourself moving away from the Brennans (Tempe and Tory) and starting a new series? Or do you feel you have enough source material to keep these two series going in perpetuity?

Hi Kathy.

I love the show Bones mostly for how it portrays strong female characters working in science and technology.

What are your thoughts about how to bring more women into science and technology driven fields?

Why are the 2 main characters so different in your books compared to the tv show?

This question is not meant to be disrespectful so please excuse me if it is. I do love the show bones based off of entertainment value. However, the anthropology students at my school have a game they play with that show. Every time there is a blatant disregard for factual anthropology we take a shot. It's safe to say we get sufficiently wasted. Do the producers of the show ever console you regarding forensic anthropology?I understand that for an hour-long show you can't include that much factual anthropology, however occasionally the information that they use is just completely wrong. Do you ever fight the producers to try and include more accurate science or do you just chalk it up to creative license? Again thank you for the awesome drinking game and study tool has some of my professors use bones as a quiz option, where they stop the show every time or something is incorrect and ask us why it's wrong. On another note, do you have any academic papers that I can find on the Internet?

How does it feel to be a the heroine of a book authored by a TV show heroine who was based on your life and named after the heroine of a series you authored?

What got you into forensics ?

What inspired you to write the Virals novels, as they are so different to anything else you've written?
Also, is Tory ever going to appear in a full Tempe novel/vice versa?

which word processor do you use to type your manuscripts, and what software features do you wish it had?

Ever been to the Body Farm at University of Tennessee?

locked in a room with one bullet, Hitler and a depressing creepy clown... who do you kill?

Hi Kathy!
I love the show and I love the books, but I'm curious. How do you feel about the artistic license which has taken the plot of the show so far away from the initial story of the books? (Ex. the huge inclusion of Booth and the Squints in the show, etc)

I live in Mooresville, North Carolina. I love your books. I am also in to Nascar too. I was wondering how Charlotte, North Carolina inspires you in your writing? I love the book you wrote about the drives of Nascar. I will be seeing you on Thursday night for the Mystery Dinner. Do you live here in North Carolina or somewhere else? I can not wait to meet you.

Have you read the Patricia Cornwell series about Dr. Scarpetta? If so, what is your opinion?

Hi Ms. Reichs! I was wondering, what is it like like being a female producer in a field so often perceived as being male-led? And also, I'm looking for a career in criminology, and would like to know if I should use television shows as a reference point when I am thinking of a future career? Like, are they accurate to the actual jobs? Thank you!

Hi Kathy, I'm your big fan from Poland. Have you ever read any Polish books? If the answer is 'yes' - have you got favourite ones?

Hi Kathy, thanks for doing this AMA, I have a few questions.

1. What's your favorite instrument?

2. What's your favorite song?

3. Tacos or pizza?

Temperance is a unique name, what made you decide to choose it opposed to another?

Can you tell us something we may not know about you but wouldn't mind sharing?

Are you ever going to kill off one of the well known characters? When I read Bones of the Lost I really thought Tempes soldier daughter was going to be killed in Afghanistan but in the end she was fine. Which I totally apprechiated by the way - but anyway is there going to be a big loss for Tempe anytime soon?

Hi Kathy, I'm a big fan! My daughter is a bit young to read your work but she has a passion for science and it's something I want her to have all of her life. My question is what advise would you give a ten year old girl who has a passion for science? Especially when society views that subject as a "boy thing".

What's the similarities between the equipment you use yourself with that used on the TV show?

I recently view the presentation you did in Scotland that was streamed online, Will you ever do one like that? Perhaps in TX?

I love it.

What question do you have for reddit?

Dear Mrs. Reichs,

First of all, thank you for all your Tempe Brennan books and one of my favourite TV-shows ever, Bones!
You are one of my greatest inspirations for me studying Prehistoric & Historic Archaeology in Austria and getting interested in Anthropology since about 15 years ago.

My question to you is:
What are your favourite historical, anthropological or generally scientific TV-shows?

Thank you in advance.

If Tempe was a real person and one of your colleagues - would she probably be one of your friends?

How do you balance working in your lab with writing/producing. Do you see the fiction writing affecting your academic work?

How do you go about planning the structure for one of your novels?

Hi Kathy, I'm a big fan of your work! You're actually one of the major reasons I'm planning on becoming a forensic anthropologist myself, and since I'm a senior year undergrad who can't afford to apply to every graduate school, I was hoping you could provide some much needed insight.

Which school in the US do you think has the best master's program for forensic anthropology? They all seem to have their advantages (UT Knoxville with their body farm, Chico and their human ID lab, et cetera) so I'm having a hard time narrowing down my options. Also, does it matter at all if I get an MA or MS?

I'm working on getting a BS in anthropology from UC Davis at the moment and hoping I'll be able to work with the FBI eventually, if that makes any difference. Thanks in advance for answering my questions, and thanks for being such a huge inspiration to me!

Hello. What is your writing process like? What do you do when you blank on more plot and what do you feel gets your creativity going more? Thanks for doing an AMA :)

Hi, Kathy! Thank you for sharing Tempe and her story with the world. I am currently reading Bones Never Lie and it is great!
In 1996, I took a criminalistics class as part of my undergrad studies. It has been interesting to see how much things have advanced in that field, as a whole, over the past 18 years. What recent advancements in technology have aided in your job as a forensic anthropologist?

What convinced/inspired you to start writing?

I'm curious what you do to celebrate finishing one of your books?

What do you think is the most exciting thing about forensics?

Hi, feel free to answer just one of these (if I get an answer at all that is, didn't want to create several posts)
1) Has there ever been anyone Ryan's looks are based on? Or anyone that looks the way you imagined him? (He's obviously so very different from Booth/David)
2) Is there a system or some sort of master plan behind which book takes place in which city? Or is it based on case and where it fits better?
3) Was Ryan supposed to just be one of the cops at first and therefor described as not really hot in the first book? (Or was that a translation error bc that's the only one I haven't read in English?)
4) Is the non-answer to that question at the end of "Bones Never Lie" going to come back and bite Tempe in the ass? Like a similar question (about living arrangements) without an answer (or without a positive answer in that case) did?
(I'm being vague on purpose bc I'm trying to avoid spoiling anyone who hasn't read yet since it just came out today)

Hi Kathy! Your books and Bones are my absolute favorites! I think the amount of scientific research done for Bones is great in comparison to that of other shows in the same vein. Do you think the show does a good job with this? How much input do you have on the science of the show?

First of all, I'm a HUGE fan. I was wondering what is your favourite book so far that you've written and why?

Hi Kathy! UNCC Student here. I wish you had stuck around for a few more years, so I could've taken your class!
My question for you is: What real life experience of yours has been the most similar to Temperance's? Any very similar cases or evidence? Thanks for doing this!

Hi Mrs Reichs! Will you come to Montreal?

How much of Tempe is you and how much is just character development?

Hi Kathy,

I got to tell you in Stirling about my AVN, but as I was the one running about with the microphone I didn't get to ask you my question.

Do you have have any place in the world you would like to 'take' Tempe too in future books? (Scotland perhaps?)

Hey Kathy! Love your books! I got to be a fan because of the show (I can tell you how much I love BONES!!!) I love all the forensic anthropology, I think you are inspiring a lot of people into that field

Are you ever going to appear in the show?

Are you going to write different kind of books in the future?

Are you close to the people of the show, with Emily specially?

You should come to Raleigh/RTP to do a book sign, it would be lovely to meet you!

thanks for the AMA, I can't wait to get your new )

Hi, im an anthropologist and I was wondering what your thoughts are on biological determinism? Most anthropologists I know regard it as pseudoscience but it I've noticed elements of it on the show bones

Well, this is AMA...

I stopped watching the show when Bones and Boothe moved in, had the baby, etc.

Honestly, prior to that, I absolutely loved the show and looked forward to watching it every week, but after that, it was more about their interpersonal problems and less about solving crimes.

So here are my questions:

1. Are the books the same way?

2. Has the show returned to crime or is it still about their homelife?

I don't actually expect you to answer these questions - you have no good reason to, but man, I loved that show for a long time and would love to see it come back.

Totally murder in a Loch/castle. (Loch Lomond...)

Do you have any favourite stories a fan has told you?

Hi Kathy,
For the Bones tv-series, how important do you think scientific accuracy is? To what extent do you feel that simplifications or inaccuracies are acceptable in order to make the story more interesting to the general audience?

And, are you planning to visit Poland soon? I'd love to queue for one of your signed copies
:-)

Hello! I was curious as to who was your favorite character to write, besides Tempe?

So, the last page of Bones Never Lie - I have been waiting for that for a longtime. :D

As someone who has loved writing since I was old enough to pick up a pencil, I've always struggled with how to start. Do you plan your outline first, then do research, or just get stuck in?

And I just realised the old copy of Monday mouring I asked you to sign in stirling was related to your new book, that's funny how that worked out!

Thankyou

re tool marks on bones. How accurate is this? had argument with FA at Liverpool Uni, said it was fiction :(

Hi Kathy,
I'm a big fan of you from Hungary. Where can I buy/get an autograph from you? :)

Hi Kathy! My ex-girlfriend (now fiancee) is a big fan of Bones and needless to say, I got hooked as well. My question is, how much influence do you have with the TV series, especially with how they portray Temperance's character?

Thank you so much and more power

Hello again, I'm sorry I just forgot to ask you this,

Have you ever been threaten or been in danger because of a case you have been working on, like "bones of the lost"?

Last question, as I have to cook dinner.

Where does The inspiration come from for Birdie? He reminds me so much of my crazy cats, the looks they give you could almost swear they were talking to you.

Thank you for doing an AMA. Every time I sit down to read a Bones book, I end up pulling an all-nighter because I can't put it back down. Is there anywhere that you've wanted Tempe to visit for a case, but haven't yet in your books?

Hi Dr. Reichs! I've been a fan for quite awhile: wrote you an email in 2006 asking about how to become a forensic anthropologist, but I'm applying to graduate schools for biomedical research now.

My question: What is your favorite peer-reviewed research article?

Mine is Rothenfluh, A., & Heberlein, U. (2002). Drugs, flies, and videotape: the effects of ethanol and cocaine on Drosophila locomotion. Current opinion in neurobiology, 12(6), 639-645.

How did you come up with the name "Temprance Brennan"?

Hello, I have two questions, feel free to respond whichever

Any advised in how to be a successful driven woman?

Do you consider yourself a feminist?

Thanks in advanced

[deleted]

Hi Kathy,

I have only read one of the Temperance Brennan books but I have watched the show religiously since someone told me about it about 7 or 8 years ago.

The show encouraged me to try a Forensic Anthropology module in university (My degree was in geography and Irish Studies) and it inspired me to look into pursuing that career, although I cannot afford it at present.

Have you ever guest lectured in universities? if ever you were planning to in Ireland or the UK I would love to attend.

I love how you inspire women and portray such strong female characters.

Where did you get the inspiration for Charlie the cockatiel?