Discover how Paty Jager’s authentic Western lifestyle shapes her award-winning mystery and romance novels
Paty Jager discusses how her rural lifestyle, cultural research, and passion for storytelling influence her award-winning mystery and romance novels, blending Western and Native American elements with engaging characters and plots.
Paty Jager is a literary force to be reckoned with, seamlessly blending the rugged authenticity of the Western lifestyle with the intricate nuances of murder mystery and romance. An award-winning author, Jager’s works are celebrated for their rich Western and Native American elements, engaging characters, and a touch of humor that captivates readers. Her life in rural eastern Oregon, where she and her husband raise alfalfa hay, provides a genuine backdrop to her stories, infusing them with a palpable sense of place and authenticity. Jager’s ability to live the Western lifestyle she writes about—complete with horseback riding and the occasional rattlesnake encounter—adds a unique depth to her narratives, making her a standout voice in her genre.
We conducted this interview with Paty Jager to delve deeper into the mind of an author whose stories have resonated with so many. Her Shandra Higheagle Mystery Series and Gabriel Hawke novels have not only entertained but also enlightened readers about Native American culture and traditional skills. With over 55 novels to her name, Jager continues to keep her stories fresh and engaging, a testament to her creativity and dedication to her craft. In this interview, we explore how her personal experiences, meticulous research, and passion for storytelling come together to create the compelling worlds her readers have come to love.
Paty Jager masterfully weaves authentic Western and Native American elements into captivating stories, earning her well-deserved acclaim and awards.
Your background in rural eastern Oregon, raising hay and cattle, and dealing with the challenges of the Western lifestyle, clearly informs your writing. How do your personal experiences shape the authenticity and richness of the settings and characters in your novels?
I write rural settings because, as the adage goes “Write what you know.” I grew up in the rural county where I set most of my Gabriel Hawke books. People who live rural come together to help one another and they know everything about their neighbors. Usually, the rural population is self-sufficient and likes it that way. Which gives me stalwart, hard-working people to build my characters and settings around.
The Shandra Higheagle Mystery Series, beginning with Double Duplicity, blends cozy mystery elements with Native American mysticism. What inspired you to incorporate visions and spiritual guidance into a murder mystery, and how does Shandra’s Nez Perce heritage influence her sleuthing?
While researching the Nez Perce culture, I decided that Shandra’s grandmother would be a leader of the Seven Drums. It is a traditional religion, and many Native American people believe in dreams and visions I felt this made it plausible to have the grandmother guide Shandra in her dreams. I ran the idea by an author married to a tribal member. She agreed. And recently I had a Native American reader say she enjoys the stories because she has had visions and dreams. Shandra’s heritage opens her mind to possibilities others may not see.
Your Gabriel Hawke novels, such as Murder of Ravens, feature a protagonist who relies on the ancient Indian art of tracking. How do you approach weaving traditional skills and cultural heritage into modern-day mystery plots, and what challenges do you face in balancing these elements?
My Oregon Game Warden is from the Nez Perce tribe who summered and wintered in Wallowa County before they were removed to reservations. His grandfather taught him to be a skilled tracker. Using his acute sense of seeing what is out of place, he can trust his instincts when he feels someone is innocent or guilty. I try to balance Hawke’s knowledge and investigative techniques so the reader finds the story believable.
With over 55 novels published, many with Western or Native American elements, how do you keep your stories fresh and engaging for your readers? Can you share a bit about your process for coming up with new ideas and plots?
Part of keeping my stories fresh is switching up the genres a bit. When I get an idea that I’m excited about writing, I believe my enthusiasm for the story engages the readers. Coming up with ideas for my mystery books can come about when I find a unique or interesting way a person might die or a body might be hidden. Sometimes it has to do with a theme I want to explore. I’m not a plotter. Once I have the means of death and a victim, I write up a suspect chart and use that as my guide for writing the book.
You’ve received numerous awards for your work, including for Spirit of the Mountain and Secrets of a Mayan Moon. How have these accolades influenced your writing career, and do they shape the way you approach new projects?
Thank you for mentioning the awards. The two books are completely different, yet, speak of my theme, justice. Getting an award for a book makes me feel I have something to say that people want to read. The awards keep me wanting to write the best book I can and to entertain and enlighten the reader.
Research seems to play a significant role in your writing, often leading to new stories. Can you share an example of a time when research took you on an unexpected journey that resulted in a novel or series? How important is accuracy and detail in your portrayal of Native American culture and Western settings?
Research is my favorite part of writing. I learn about things that I would not normally think to research. In Secrets of a Mayan Moon, I researched the Mayan culture. When I first decided to send my Indiana Jones/MacGyver character to Guatemala, I didn’t know what the climax scene would be. However, the research I did made it an unforgettable ending.
I believe in portraying Native American culture as accurately as I can. I have tribal members from the Umatilla and the Nez Perce who I run things by to make sure I’m not disrespecting their culture.