HEARTSTRINGS

Interview with USA Today Bestselling Author

Kathie DeNosky

 1.  What inspired you to write your first book?

I think the inspiration to write my first book was a combination of events that came together at the same time.  My youngest child had just started kindergarten, and I had some spare time on my hands.  I read a book that I decided I would have ended differently if I had been the author, and we had just bought our first computer.  Since I have always loved writing--I was probably the only kid in my high school who actually loved writing term papers--I sat down at the new computer with an idea for my story.  Six months later as I typed The End to that book, another set of characters started whispering in my ear for me to tell their story.  That was over 30 books and several computers ago, and I'm still having just as much fun now as I was back then.

2.  What or who has been the biggest influence in your writing career and why?

I think the biggest influence in my writing career would have to be my best friends and sister authors, Kristi Gold and Roxann Delaney.  Their encouragement and support have been invaluable.  We brainstorm our plots together, lend a sympathetic ear when times are tough and keep each other motivated.

3.  What is your writing schedule like?  For example, do you write anytime of the day, or do you prefer a specific time?  Do you write for a specific number of hours or pages?

My writing schedule is all over the place.  I've been known to sit at the computer for twelve to sixteen hours straight when I'm working on a tight deadline.  I'm also notorious for staying up all night writing, then sleeping a few hours during the day, only to get up and do it all over again.  I do try to write a specific number of pages a day, and I've found my most creative time to write is in the wee hours of the morning.  But as I said, when the deadline is tight, I'll write as much as needed and for as long as needed in order to get the book finished.

4.  What is the most difficult or challenging part of the writing process for you?

For me, the biggest challenge of the writing process is finding myself at the end of a book and not wanting to let go.  By the time I reach the final pages, the characters have become so real to me that I want to keep writing about them.

5.  Do you ever experience writer's block?  If so, how do you cope with it?

Fortunately, I've never really experienced writer's block.  I do have times when I come to a scene that isn't working, and I need to figure out why it isn't working.  When that happens, I usually take a walk, do laundry, wash dishes--anything to take my mind off the book.  Then when I go back to the computer, I look at the scene with a fresh eye and know almost immediately what I need to do to "fix" the problem.

6.  How long does it take you to finish a book?

I'm quite comfortable writing a book in two to three months.  That gives me a chance to have a life outside of my writing life.  Unfortunately, I don't always have that luxury.  I've written a book in as little as three weeks, and a few years ago, I wrote five books and a novella in 11 months.  It was hard to keep that pace, and I wouldn't want to do it again, but it can be done if the deadlines demand it.

7.  What is your personal writing goal?

My personal writing goal is to continue to write the best book I possibly can.  I want my readers to remember my books long after the story has ended.  Will I ever write a bigger book?  If I have an idea that doesn't fit within the parameters of the series genre, the answer is yes.  If not, I'm quite happy writing for Harlequin Desire.

8.  Describe your writing space, that one corner of the house that is dedicated to your writing.

I'm actually in the process of setting up my office in a different room.  Not the smartest thing to do with back-to-back deadlines, but then I was never known for being the brightest bulb in the chandelier.  LOL.  It's taking twice as long to get finished because I have to juggle my time between writing and arranging the office.  The only picture I have of the new office is of the wallpaper boarder that I think is perfect for a romance author.  What do you all think?

9.  If you could choose anywhere in the world to write, where would it be and why?

One of the things I love the most about being a writer is the ability to take my work with me.  As long as I have a laptop, I can go anywhere and still work.  But if I had to choose one place, it would have to be on top of a mountain in a little cabin in the Smoky Mountains.  The view is spectacular, it's peaceful and very inspiring.  In fact, I've worked on several books while I vacationed there and could see myself making it my permanent place to live and write.

10.   What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life?

I'm proud of my career, and it was an honor and thrill to make the USA Today Bestseller list, but my greatest accomplishments and the ones I'm the most proud of are my three children.

11.  What is the strangest thing that ever happened to you, either at a booksigning, a conference, or in any way associated with your writing?  What is the funniest?

I think the strangest thing that ever happened to me at a booksigning is also the funniest.  A reader came up to me and while I signed her book, she lowered her voice and said that she had heard a romance author draws on her own experience to write love scenes.  She then asked me if that was true.  Being the smart-mouth that I am, without missing a beat I pointed to my husband, who by that time was in a wheelchair due to complications from diabetes.  "Do you see that man over there?" I asked.  When she said yes, I asked, "Do you know why he's in a wheelchair?"  Clearly puzzled she looked at Charlie then at me and shook her head no.  I smiled and told her, "Well, the reason he's in such bad shape is because I've just completely worn him out."  we both laughed, but to this day, I'm not all together sure she didn't believe me.  LOL.

12.  Name three things you can't live without.

Oh, that's easy.  Chocolate, coffee and country music.

13.  When you read for pleasure, are you drawn more to romance, or do you find yourself reading all genres?

I don't have a lot of time to read for pleasure anymore, but when I do, I definitely prefer romance.  From the time I was a little girl, I always loved the stories with a happily-ever-after.  I don't see that ever changing.

14.  What advice or tips would you like to pass along to other writers?

Learn the craft of writing, but don't become so hung up on the technical aspects of crafting a book that you lose sight of writing a good story.  When I judge contests or critique a writer's work, more times than I care to count I've seen manuscripts that are technically perfect, i.e. grammar and style.  But the story fell flat because the characters were one dimensional and the plot lacked the spark that keeps a reader turning pages.

KATHIE DeNOSKY BIO:

USA Today Bestselling Author, Kathie DeNosky has written 31 books since the release of her first book in May of 2000.  Kathie’s books have received numerous awards, including two National Reader's Choice Awards, a Write Touch Reader's Award, several Awards of Excellence from the Reviewer’s International Organization, as well as nominations for Best Harlequin Desire of the year and a Career Achievement Award by Romantic Times Magazine.

Writing highly sensual stories spiced with a good dose of humor, Kathie has seen her books translated into 26 different languages, and has well over a million copies of her books in print world-wide.

Thank you, Kathie for a great interview.

Please visit Kathie at her website  www.KathieDeNosky.com

Or on Facebook  Kathie DeNosky Author