Kathy is a born reader
who as a child always had her nose in a book. She went from reading Bobbsey
Twins to romance novels. One day she stumbled upon The Shining by
Stephen King and was hooked on horror. When she caught herself checking under
the bed and looking in the closet for monsters, she knew it was time to put drop
the horror and return to romance novels.
Her return was short-lived.
She started law school and soon her reading was limited to legal opinions. Then
she discovered Harlequin romances. They were short enough to read in a week and
she wouldn't have to search her room before she went to sleep.
When her first child
was born, she became a stay at home mom. Her second child soon followed, and reading
was limited to children's books.
All too soon her kids
were attending pre-school. Kathy spent those hours renewing her relationship
with romance novels. Soon she felt the urge to write the stories she wanted to
read. In 2016, Kathy sold to Harlequin. Her first book, How to Steal the Lawman's Heart, was released in February, 2017.
Since then, she has released several more books with Harlequin.
What would you like readers to take away from
your book?
I’d like for them to take away a sense of
happiness as well as optimism that they can find a love of a lifetime. The
thing I like most about romance is the guaranteed happy ending. I love the warm
feeling that lasts even after the last word has been read. If my readers feel
that same way after reading one of my books, then I have achieved my goal.
Which character did you have the most fun
writing about?
Lex Devlin. He’s appeared in several of my other
Sweet Briar Sweetheart books and he’s one of my favorite people in the entire
town. I love him so much. He’s just such a great guy. So sexy, so cool. So everything.
It felt good to give him a book of his own where he got his happy ending.
What do you think the future of AA romances will
be?
I think the future will be great. There are so
many AA authors writing tremendous books in every type of romance. If you want suspense
or paranormal, AA authors are writing them. If you want contemporary or
historical, again the books are there.
The books also come in different levels of
sensuality, ranging from sweet to spicy. There’s also a variety of settings. If
you want small town, it’s there. If you prefer books set in big cities, they’re
being written. AA authors are writing great books for every reader to enjoy and
will continue to do so in the future.
What advice would you offer to someone whose
book is about to be released?
Get the word out. If you have a newsletter,
mention it in your regular newsletter in the weeks or months before it comes
out. That way people will know to look for it. If it is available for preorder,
add the link. On release day, send out a special newsletter announcing that it
is available.
Tweet about it and mention it on Facebook and
Instagram. Use whatever social media you have to the best of your ability.
Don’t be afraid that it won’t work.
It has been my experience that romance authors
and bloggers are the best. They will share and retweet your posts to their
followers and friends, so you’ll reach even more people.
Remember to tell your family and friends. They
will be excited for you and tell everyone they know. The more people you tell,
the better off you’ll be.
What three literary events would you recommend a
writer in your genre attend?
The national RWA conference is a good one to
attend. There are workshops and a major book signing that is open to the public.
An author can make lots of connections with agents and editors as well as catch
up with (or make) author friends. The other two really depend on the location
and budget. There are local RWA chapters that have small conferences that are
also valuable.
What literary event can we find you this year?
I’m hoping to attend the White Oak Author Fest
in Crest Hill, Illinois on October 19. That’s all I have scheduled right now.
Who was the first author you ever met?
Judy Duarte. Many years ago, before I was
published, I took an online course that she taught. A few months later, I
attended the RWA conference in San Francisco. She was signing books and I went
up and introduced myself to her. She gave me a hug and said she was happy to
meet me in person. She is such a wonderful person.
What’s the most interesting change in your life
as a result of being a published author?
My life really hasn’t changed. I still do the
same things I have always done.
What has surprised you most about being a
published author?
The biggest surprise is that writing doesn’t get
any easier. Every book comes with its own struggle. Even though it has worked
out every time so far, I still have moments when I doubt that I’ll ever get the
book right.
What about writing do you wish non writers would
understand?
That writing is a job like anything else. Just
because I don’t go into an office every day doesn’t mean that I’m not working.
Can you give us one do and one don't for those
aspiring to be an author?
The do first. Do keep writing and revising. The
more you write, the better you will become. Realize that you will have days
when the words just flow and others when it is nearly impossible to figure out
what comes next. Do your best and be kind to yourself on difficult days.
Now the don’t. Don’t be fooled by the “rules”
people create. For example, someone will say you have to outline. Someone else
will say don’t outline. People will make up rules for everything. Some
so-called experts act as if their way is the only way to write. That is not
true. What works for them works for them. Only you know what works for
you. When you find a process that works for you, follow it until it stops
working.
What advice would you offer for someone who is
having a hard time finishing the book?
I guess it depends on the reason. If it’s
because the person doesn’t have a lot of time in their day, I would suggest
trying to find time. Even five or ten minutes here and there can add up.
If it’s because you’re stumped and can’t figure
out what to write next, my advice is to go back a chapter or two and see if you
can discover what went wrong. Sometimes we can have a character do something
that isn’t natural to them and it stops the flow. If you can find that spot,
you can fix it and hopefully the words will return.
If it’s because you feel stressed, my advice is
to break your goal into small bits so it doesn’t seem so overwhelming. Set an
alarm for ten minutes and for ten minutes just write. Take a short break and do
it again. Do whatever it takes to relieve the pressure.
Finally, tell yourself that you can finish the
book. Look at what you’ve already written. You did that. You can do the
rest. You can finish the book.
When you're not writing, what do you like to do
in your spare time?
I attend Zumba a few times a week. It is great
fun. I also love watching sports and reading.
Oprah always asks, what do you know for sure?
I know for sure that when I do my best
throughout the day, I sleep much better at night.
Any last words for our readers?
Thanks for the opportunity to talk to you. I
appreciate it.
To all aspiring writers: keep writing. Don’t let
anyone or anything stop you. Your path won’t look like anyone else’s, but it’s
yours. Travel it.
Your stories are yours alone to tell. The world
is waiting to read them.
They pretended to be
lovers.
But there’s nothing make-believe about the baby on the way.
When Joni Danielson recruits her best friend, Sweet Briar mayor Lex Devlin, to be her fake boyfriend for a wedding, it’s a no-brainer. But their staged kisses lead to real passion—and heartbreak when Lex pulls away. Now Joni’s in a bigger bind: she’s pregnant. Can she and Lex once again fake it ‘til they make it—to a real relationship?
But there’s nothing make-believe about the baby on the way.
When Joni Danielson recruits her best friend, Sweet Briar mayor Lex Devlin, to be her fake boyfriend for a wedding, it’s a no-brainer. But their staged kisses lead to real passion—and heartbreak when Lex pulls away. Now Joni’s in a bigger bind: she’s pregnant. Can she and Lex once again fake it ‘til they make it—to a real relationship?
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