Here is my interview with L.T. Kelly

Name L.T. Kelly

Age 33

Where are you from 

I was born in Solihull, West Midlands, UK. I now live in Lincolnshire UK.

A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc  

I joined the Royal Air Force aged seventeen, and enjoyed my career until I was discharged for a back injury in 2010. I stayed at home for a little while to raise my two children, during that time I did a level three writing qualification having studied English Literature and language whilst I was still serving. It was then I started writing short stories for British women’s magazines.

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news?

I’ve just about finished a first draft of my current work in progress, Kissing Cassie. It’s a contemporary adult romance. I’ve decided to move away from paranormal romance, not because I don’t love it, but a change is as good as the rest.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I began writing when I was at school. I loved concocting stories and bringing them to life on the page. My English teachers loved me, they saw something in me long before I ever did. I left it all behind when I joined the Air Force, only writing every now and then. I started in earnest two years ago. I don’t think I really found my confidence until then. I didn’t believe that anything I could write would ever be good enough. It was a sudden rush of confidence, and finding myself that made me start.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I think it was upon the release of my first novel Falling to Pieces. It was when that first review rolled in and I realised the readers got me, and liked my writing that I thought, Hey, I’m really doing this. 

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

I made friends with a writer called R.W. Foster. He was working on his first novel at the time. He was honest with me and said that my short stories were good, but they felt a little rigid due to the boundaries I had to live by. He offered me so much encouragement to write a book. I honestly didn’t think I could do it.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

I like to think my writing style makes for easy reading, but other than that I’d say I have more of a signature than anything. All of my books will always be a romance between and British and an American character. 

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

The title came from the song I was listening to when the entire plot for my first novel flooded my brain. Falling to Pieces by David Guetta. Plus the video really fits in with the idea of my book.

Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I have always been an author/reader that gets tired with insistence that there must be some hidden message contained within each book. I write to entertain, to offer a reader emotions good or bad and take them away on a roller coaster ride.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?

Every emotion and very action is very realistic. A large number of reviewers have commented that people who don’t usually gel with paranormal romance would enjoy the books because it’s not centred on the paranormal aspect. It’s really about Teagan’s life as a whole, what she’s been through, the mistakes she’s made, her thoughts, her feelings. I think thats why so many people have connected with her.

Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Teagan is based largely on myself when I was younger. From a first novel point of view I thought it would be beneficial to draw on aspects of my own personality and wrap them up in a vampire.

Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?

I think the first romantic novels I ever read influenced me the most. I swapped Adrian Moles diary and other teen centred novels for Mills and Boon (Harlequin in the US) paperbacks at the tender age of thirteen. I’m pretty sure that my mother was blissfully unaware of what was on those pages, but I’d go through two a day. I loved them. 

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I’m reading Memories of the Dead by Phillip R. Hall. It’s for a review on my blog.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I wouldn’t say a new author, but I read Lauren Stewarts, Hyde this year. Her writing style really gripped my attention. That lady does urban fantasy with aplomb. I love her.

Fiona: What are your current projects?

I’m just finishing up with Kissing Cassie, 2015’s goal is to find a publisher for it. It’s a standalone contemporary romance, but I have the following one planned to create a series of standalone’s. 

Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

As an entity I’d have to say Facebook. I’ve met so many authors that have helped me. Although I feel that the community has changed drastically since I entered it, there are some out there that I hold so dearly to my heart. I know I can turn to them any time for help and they know the same about me.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Completely. Writing is the second job I do twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Being a writer forces you to draw on everything you see and do with all of your five senses. I chastised a friend of mine recently when he called it a hobby. How rude! 

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

No, nothing. I know it sounds big headed and I was really scared about doing what I did with it, but it was the way it had to go. It couldn’t have been any different. I think my risk paid off because I get the impression that the readers loved it.

Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

How else does it happen other than being an avid reader and wanting to write the book that would have been your favourite to read?

 

Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I think I have a few times! But it’s Kissing Cassie, the second will be Kissing Katie.

Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Blurbs and synopsises. My goodness, it’s easier to write a book than it is to write about it.

Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

I wouldn’t say she was my favourite author in as far as genre goes, but she is the one that has left me in awe. I’d have to say J.K. Rowling because I’ve never much enjoyed fantasy, let alone fantasy aimed at children, but The Harry Potter series took my breath away. 

Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

I wish. I’d have to say I would like to and I hope to in the future. The furthest I’ve been is London, when I attended the London Author Fair in February. 

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Arijana from Cover it Designs! She is so easy to work with, nothing is too much trouble and her creations are better than beautiful.

Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Starting and finishing. Other than that edits and re-writes can be tough at times. You look at a piece and know it has to change, but you can’t put your finger on why…thats difficult.

Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Yes, I learnt that you really do have to choose an editor carefully. They can be an amazing editor with endorsements up the ying-yang, but it doesn’t mean they will feel that connection to your book to want to make it better. I feel my second book has been edited to the standard I would have liked my first to have been.

Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Firstly, to new writers…you can do it. But when you do, if you want to self publish, you can’t do it alone, don’t kid yourself into thinking that you don’t need an editor or cover designer. You do.

Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? 

Thank you. Thanks, so much for believing in me enough to read my words.

 

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Goodness, no…that was far too long ago.

 

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

I love witty one-liners, those times when someone is so on the ball they just come at you with hilarity. Cry…the last thing that made me cry was the movie, The Fault In Our Stars. It was awful.

 

Fiona: Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?

It would be Alexander Skarsgard. Why? Because I love him, of course! I’m fickle that way.

 

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?

Here lies L.T. Kelly. You’ll all have to keep an eye on your own grammar from now on… I can’t help correcting friends grammar. I just can’t, I really try.

 

Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?

You will laugh, but before I started writing I used cross stitching as a relaxation method. I don’t have much time for it now, but I hope to go back to it one day.

 

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

I love all vampire shows and films. My first favourite was The Lost Boys. 

 

Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music 

Favourite food has to be steak cooked rare. Colour would have to be pink and as for music…anything and everything, though I’m totally besotted with Taylor Swift at the moment.

 

Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?

I already do it! I work for the ambulance service and most of the time it must be one of the most rewarding/satisfying jobs there is.

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?

Yes, it’s called Lucy’s Lit’ Lovin’ Blog. I do features, interviews, blog tours and reviews. Here’s the link…http://ltkelly.com