Patch Q&A with a Coto Novelist who Set Her Latest Book in South O.C.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Coto de Caza resident Kelli Kretzschmar just her second novel, Waiting for Perfect, this one for young adults. Astute South Orange County readers will recognize certain locales. “In the novel, the characters attend Tesoro High School, frequent the Oso/Antonio Starbucks, hike to the Coto Reservoir and spend weekends at Main Beach in Laguna.”

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The story centers around the attempted date rape of main character Kendra, who has to decide if she will press charges or not.

PATCH: What did you do professionally before you started writing?

Kretzschmar: I have a full time career as a Marketing Manager for a technology company in Irvine. I am also a full-time mother and wife. I write for hobby and relaxation. It serves as my creative outlet and stress reliever.

PATCH: How long have you lived locally?

Kretzschmar: I’ve lived in Mission Viejo, Coto de Caza, and Tustin since 1981 when I was three years old. I have lived with my husband in Coto de Caza since 2002.

PATCH: How long have you wanted to write?

Kretzschmar: Writing has always been a hobby of mine, even from when I was a child. My first mystery story was completed when I was about twelve. Since then, I’ve written numerous journals, essays, poems, and stories. I began writing my first full-length novel, Defending Wellton, in 2012.

PATCH: Why a young adult novel?

Kretzschmar: Waiting for Perfect embodies three main characters that I’ve had on my mind for quite some time. My daughter is a student at Tesoro High School, and I wanted to write something that she and her friends could relate to.

PATCH: Why date rape? Is that too personal of a question?

Kretzschmar: Not too personal at all. The statistics for sexual abuse in this country are staggering. Chances are any person reading this right now knows at least one person, man or woman, who has experienced sexual assault in their lifetime. Many readers will have experienced sexual abuse themselves. The longer we keep quiet about the issue, the longer it will take for people to be protected. Writing about such a sensitive topic was difficult. I wanted to make people, especially teenage girls, aware of the threat, yet also be sensitive to those who may have already experienced such a crime.

PATCH: Why use real places, like Tesoro High?

Kretzschmar: Although I never used the name “Tesoro High School” in the book, any reader from south Orange County would know which high school the characters attend. I describe the football field in the valley, the large “T” on the hill, and the school colors blue and red. Street names are mentioned, as well as some local businesses, including Yogurtland and Starbucks. It was so fun writing about the places I’ve been to a hundred times and imagining this story taking place right here in the area. It made the whole thing seem more real.

PATCH: Do you really have a corn snake?

Kretzschmar: Haha. Yes, I do. Her name is Abigail, or Abby for short. She is 5 years old and about five and half feet long. I love reptiles. We are actually considering adopting a friend’s baby boa constrictor too. Then we’ll have two snakes in the family. Odd, considering my daughter has two pet rats, the very animal those snakes eat. But our Labrador, Tyson, is our favorite.

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