Interview

Hi Kelly and Welcome!   First, can you let us know what projects you are currently working on?  

 

I am working on three at the moment. One is top secret—alternate pen name stuff shhhhhhh.

 

The primary one is currently titled MORE THAN WORDS and is being written for Cerridwen Press. It’s about an author who can’t get her hero interested in the prescribed heroine of the book. The author gets sucked into her own manuscript. As a pantser she generally knows the direction of the book, and it ain’t pretty. There’s a Regency winter party, snowbound guests, and a murderer on the loose. Top it off, the story is writing itself. In her effort to get back, should she work through the plot saving her life and the hero’s in the process? And if she does, will she lose the hero she falls for to fiction?

 

The other one is MARRIAGE PROPOSAL, for Resplendence Publishing. It’s a stand alone third book in a series revolving around fanciful, whimsical Marie and a brooding, scorned Lord who hides from society. There’s a missing child involved and a whole lot of fun.

 

And no, I don’t only write Regency sets. I write romantic suspense as well. That’s a whole ‘nuther story.

 

What does your workspace look like? Do you need absolute quiet when you write or do you need background noise?

 

Well, I certainly don’t need noise and I prefer silence. I have kids though, so I think that’s probably a tall order. My work station is a couch. A blue and green plaid couch with a reclining option. I have a four level shelf beside my right elbow for my reference materials and a couch table along the wall beside it which holds my computer. I sit with a laptop and a lapboard. Look down. Do you see it? Pretty huh?

 

What are the biggest challenges you have faced as a writer? What inspires you most to write?

 

The biggest challenge is wrapped up in “expectation”. My husband attends seminary and there is this understanding of what I should and should not be doing with my time. Writing romances and, gasp, love scenes, is not one of them. Much finger shaking involved, I tell ya. But my husband is supportive and I don’t promote in the church.

 

As for inspiration, it usually comes in a dream. Most of the books I’ve written have been a direct result of my subconscious. Naughty sucker.

 

Have your characters ever taken a turn on you and changed personalities? What was your most challenging character to create and why?

 

Heck yeah! I’m a pantser. Plotting kills my exuberance so characters often change mid-stride. That’s what revisions and edits are for. My most challenging contracted character is Marcus, Lord Rochester because he is a brooder. He’s the hero in MARRIAGE MART, a Resplendence release this March— hey, you guys ought to review that puppy, whatdoya say?

 

I wanted Marcus to be hard to understand, deep, cryptic, but my editor is greedy for him. She wants in his head more frequently and I find it difficult to go there. I’m an open book most of the time. Marcus is his own “person” and peeking in there is a little like prying the door open when he’s showering—a great view but nerve wracking!

 

Have you seen changes in your writing since you began writing? How about in the writing industry? What do you feel are the best changes that have happened?

 

Wow. You like those canned worms, don’t you? In my writing, absolutely. I don’t think you can finish a book without learning something new about yourself. Finish ten and be working on three more and you are bound to have changed from beginning to end. You want to see? Read TIME FOR LOVE, out from Cerridwen on Valentine’s day ’08. Then go to Resplendence and read MARRIAGE PLOT (will be out Summer ’08 under current plan). TFL was my very first book ever. MP is my most recent (in this pen name. Sorry, still not sharing.) You tell me if you fail to see a difference (KellyKirch@gmail.com).

 

In the industry as a whole, I see the leap toward ePub. I think it’s wonderful. We talk about going green, so here’s a sure way to save trees. But taking it further, you can size your font to read easier and you can download to portable handhelds. Think of the generations coming in. They all have cells, or most do, they are very computer savvy and PDA savvy. How better to reach them than to put a book in a format they understand?

 

It’s the wave of the future and jumping on board now only makes sense. The best changes? Print pubs recognizing the ePub potential and opening their doors to the resource. It’s happening and it’s a beautiful thing.

 

What kind of research do you do for your books? Where is your favorite place to find what you need to know? What is the most interesting thing you have learned?

 

A lot. There isn’t one single place I go for information. I check the web, the resource books. I do it all. I find www.SabrinaJeffries.com is a great place to begin my historical search as she has links to just about everything.

 

The most interesting things I’ve learned are in researching for my romantic suspense books. I have a collection of forensic books, crime writer references, serial killers, poisons etc. (and I use some of these things in period writing too, only reverted to a level of understanding for the time.) I can’t name one, as I am always learning something, but it truly helps me when I contact local police and FBI for information. They take you more seriously when you know what you’re talking about.

 

What do you feel it takes to be a writer? What are three elements that are a must to be a writer?

 

Kinda the same question by my way of thinking. Perseverance, humor, and observation. You cannot accurately work through a scene, a characteristic, a plot without observing your own world and how it works. You cannot make it through the tough times, rejections, plot twists you never saw coming without a sense of humor. And certainly you will never finish the book, work those edits, revise the living daylights out of your baby, nor submit it if you do not believe in yourself enough to persevere.

 

What do you feel is a must in a hero? How about a heroine? Is there anything that drives you nuts about a hero/heroine when you read?

 

Heroes-must respect or come to respect the heroine. He must be worthy of the reader’s interest. You cannot cheer on a wimpy guy who snivels. Not going to happen.

 

Heroines-she must be strong. I want her to stand on her own and not wilt in a corner for the hero to work things out. She must be clever, not overlooking the obvious.

 

In both, I like humor. I want to have fun writing the book and I want you to have fun reading the book. Otherwise, why bother?

 

Nuts driving-Plots driven by misunderstanding. Sit down and talk for Pete’s sake! Oh, another one, when a heroine can’t do anything for herself and the hero is condescending (if he has a reason, the reader had better learn of it). And please, pretty please, no brutal name calling. I will drop the book so fast if petty brutality is involved. There’s enough of it out there in the real world. I read to escape and I cannot believe you will provide me a happy ending if I cannot respect the woman for loving an abusive man.

 

What is one thing that you yearn to learn but haven’t gotten around to yet? What are some hobbies that you have?

 

Seems like everyday there is something. I was raised with the philosophy that if there is someone out there doing the job, or having the knowledge, there is no reason why I cannot also learn it. I try my hand at just about everything as a result.

 

I love to cook. I crochet and bead when I’m not working on a book. I also read scads of literature and enjoy drawing, painting, and playing with the kids. Right now I don’t have time for hobbies, but I always have time for the kids.

 

If your life were a movie, what would you call it? What would the theme song be?

 

Grandma Jack Makes Chili. I have no idea why. I’m neither a grandma nor named Jack. But it sounds interesting and I’d like to think I’m at least that. Chili, because it all looks a mess in the pot, but there are tasty bits all through it. My theme song would have to change regularly. I refuse to be predictable. Today it would be that 80s song from some rapper, “You talk too much and you never shut up.” Tomorrow it could be something else altogether.

 

What is the last book that you read that left a big impression on you?

 

Jude Deveraux, CAROLINA ISLE. I thought, “Gee, I used to love her work.” It devastated me. She has so much talent in her pinky finger and her historicals were beautifully written. I’ve read three contemporary ones which saddened me to see the change. I hope she comes back ‘cause I miss her.

 

MORE FUN…

 

Do you have any holiday traditions that you have to do every year?

 

Christmas happens in a different house, in a different state each year. But here at home, we always have a giant percolator of apple cider with cinnamon sticks going, and candy canes or redi-whip to dress it. The smell is holiday at home.

 

What are your favorite TV shows? Do you have any that you avoid watching?

 

All CSIs, NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, and House I adore. I cannot stand Cold Case. It starts off with that curdling scream and then proceeds through the plot with mean cops who give away their sources and information in front of the suspects. Every last one of those characters is petty and mean. Hate it with a passion.

 

Do you have any websites that you are addicted to and visit regularly?

 

Yep. www.AmarindaJones.blogspot.com , www.AnnyCook.blogspot.com .

www.BronwynGreen.blogspot.com ,

www.BrynnPaulin.blogspot.com ,

www.SabrinaJeffries.com ,

 

religiously. But there are sooooo many great ones out there including this one. I love visiting review sites. Mine aren’t being reviewed at the moment, but it gives you a great feel for the market and the current trends.

What is your favorite TV commercial? How about your least favorite?

 

The Geiko commercials crack me up. I cannot be the only one who hates “Head on.   Apply directly to the forehead. Head on….” (excellent campaign as it is memorable, but enough already).

 

Kelly, thank you very much for spending time with us at RomanceJunkies.   And best of luck with your writing projects.

By Kim Atchue-Cusella

Romance Junkies Publishing Editor

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