Name – Lucy Kelly
Age – Old enough
Where are you from
I’m originally from the West Coast. I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for most of my life. I moved to Chicagoland (as it’s called here) in 2006/2007. I’m liking the snow!
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc
I come from a large family. There were ten children (halves and steps but we just ignored all that). In my day to day life I’m a numbers person (algebra is my friend). I have degrees in accounting and programming. I raised my daughter on my own (with generous help from my parents and siblings) She’s my number one greatest accomplishment and gift to the world. Of course she did all the hard work. And I’m happy to say she’s better than me about most things.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
I just released the 6th book in my Nephilim series. I had originally planned to write twelve of them. We’ll see if I stick to that or if I add on. I’ve also started a second series about shifters, my Changeling series. And I’m really excited about my time travel trilogy. Of course I won’t be publishing those three books until they are all three written. When you play with time it’s easy to write yourself into a hole. What’s on my desk right now is the second book in my Changeling series entitled Call of the Wild. It’s about the oldest brother to the heroine in the first book. As a young boy he came across a shifter brother and sister who were being hunted. He saves the little girl and watches the boy get killed. So when he finds out who his only sister (the baby of the family) is hanging with he gets a tad upset. The fact that the cougar (who is his possible future mate) overhears his rant against shifters; makes it really hard for him to win her over.
In my personal life, I’m still working my accounting job full time and looking forward to when I can eventually retire and write full time.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I went back to school to complete my BS and had to write a research paper. The subject I chose was “why do women read romance?” During my research I read a lot of self-published writers. I contacted Jana Leigh and became a beta reader for her. Jana (as it states in the dedication of my first book) is the one that convinced me to give writing a shot. I had always wanted to write. (My unfortunate experiences with English Grammar had been a major stumbling block.) Jana’s then fledgling company JK Publishing offered me an editor and a contract. A new author was born. That was 2012. I like to think my writing has improved. I see big differences between my first story and my tenth.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve always been a writer. I just didn’t always write. As a life-long reader, one of my favorite exercises is to take a book I enjoy and fantasize on how I’d change the story. I had started multiple stories but as a single parent working two jobs, there just wasn’t a lot of time.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
Jana Leigh gave me a swift kick. I would still be writing stories in my head if it wasn’t for her. She’s a very supportive, empowering and encouraging person.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
I’m a total “pantser”. I write by the seat of my pants with only a vague idea of what my story is going to be about. This has led to problems and I’m trying to be better about outlining my stories. So far though every time I try, my characters take their stories and run with it. I spend my time chasing after them and trying hard to corral them in.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
With my both of my series I took an existing mythology and twisted it to suit my needs. The ancient Sumerians believed their first kings came from outer space. In my books, they did. Then I took words in our general vocabulary and tried to make it as if they were from this other planet and we picked them up. Since my aliens came from “up there”, I chose words that represented celestial bodies. The names of my “houses” is reflected there. My planet is HeVan (pronounced like heaven) So all of my titles are plays on phrases that have the word heaven in them.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
{{laughs}} you’re making me work too hard here. Still, I guess I would have to say I prefer to write strong independent female characters (no wimps or whiners). And I try to promote the benefits of working things through together. I always try to have the H/h (or HHH/h) work through the plot together and have a minimal amount of angst between them. I don’t like it when my people are apart (then they wouldn’t get to have lots of sex).
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
Ummm…Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
See the answer to the previous question.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
As I stated earlier, I owe a lot to Jana Leigh. My family has also supported me 110% through all my life. My mom is my biggest fan (and she generally dislikes reading romance and sci-fi – that’s dedication).
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
I just finished reading Suzanne Wright’s vampire books. I love the way she depicts the mythology. Her shifter series is also excellent.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
OMG! I don’t think we have time to list them all. I read at least one book every day. The only thing I don’t like about writing is that it cuts into my reading time. Still, if I had to list authors that have started publishing recently then…okay S.E. Smith for sure. Then in no particular order Laura Jo Phillips, Suzanne Wright, MK Eidem, and Cynthia Clement. Of course there are literally hundreds of authors that have been around longer than a couple of years I could also list.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
JK Publishing and the other authors with the company. They are a fantastic, supportive group. I can always count on them to help pimp my books on their sites and everyone always helps everyone else out. A true family of fellow authors. And of course Jana Leigh is in charge of that particular looney bin (LOL)
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, I think timing and luck play a big part. My writing is good enough to take off. That’s one thing. The other, not so much. I’ve seen first books just hit, an author comes out of no where and the buzz builds. I haven’t hit that level yet. And even if I never do, I’m really happy putting my stories out there. It satisfies something within myself to see my characters in print. I really can’t describe the first time someone told me they loved my books. There are few things that make you feel as good. (at least outside of a bedroom).
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Yes! Thank god for deadlines. I would tweak, re-write, add more etc. etc. if I didn’t have to get the book IN ON TIME. I try not to read my own books because I can only think of how I would change it. I have to move on to the next story. It’s hard, I hope I can get better about it.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I’ve wanted to write for as long as I’ve been reading. I never thought I was good enough. I guess I’ve grown up enough not to be so critical. I still remember the first chapter books I read on my own, the Little House on the Prairie books. They were autobiographical and I knew then that I could be a writer.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I’ve already talked a little about Call of the Wild. You can always find excerpts on my website www.authorlucykelly.com
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Uh…that would be writing. Seriously, there is nothing scarier than a blank page. The next big thing is writing from several different perspectives. I’m a woman, it’s real work to write a male character and give him a distinct male personality. Each character has to have their own voice. For example, if one character tends to use a certain slang word, you can’t have a second, different character using the same word. It’s important to be able to recognize a character from their “voice”.
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
You really don’t ask the easy questions do you – LOL. Nora Roberts. No one is better than her when it comes to contemporary romance. Her characters are all so real, they leap off the pages. You really feel you could step out your door and meet them.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I’m just starting to travel. I’ve been to one convention, the Indie Romance Convention. I’m going again this year Oct 1st -3rd in Lebanon TN. When I start gaining a wider exposure I’d like to travel to more signings and events (RAGT, RomCom etc).
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
My publisher does all my covers. Lately they’ve all been done by Jess Buffett. She’s really talented. She writes and also does graphics.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Getting started. The first five or so chapters always take the longest because I’m still finding out where my characters are taking me. After that it flows better.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
Constantly. Sure, I’m writing fiction. Still, I try to make my plot points plausible. So I’m forced to learn way more than I ever wanted to know about some things (especially writing sci-fi).
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Keep writing. When in doubt, cut it out (my dad gave me that one). Read through looking for synonyms (to, too, two & there, their, they’re) You’d be surprised how often the wrong one is used.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time and choosing to spend your hard earned money on my book.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
The first book I read, was Little House in the Big Woods. My mother was reading a chapter to us every night and I wasn’t willing to wait to see how the story came out. That was the beginning, soon after it was Nancy Drew and on from there.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
What doesn’t?
Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?
{sigh} I dream of a day when my writing is good enough that Nora Roberts gushes over one of my books.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why?
I don’t plan on having a headstone. Every med student would like a cadaver of there very own. So some lucky future doctor is going to learn an awful lot dissecting me.
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?
Duh – reading! I’m also fond of making stained glass. And my guilty pleasure / time suck is games. I play a lot of match three and word games.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I don’t like the dramas that lean too heavily in the direction of soaps. Mostly because I don’t like my favorite characters put through the wringer. So I lean towards crime shows. Each week you get a beginning, a middle and an ending. I also enjoy sci-fi TV.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
Chocolate of course, then all the things I shouldn’t have like cheese and bread. Green is my favorite color in all shades. Music, hmmm mostly rock with some pop, country, classical, blues, reggae, jazz thrown in as well as some others I haven’t listed.
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
A doctor, an archaeologist (like the heroine in my first book), palaeontologist, singer (I can’t sing), oh just lots of things. I still have time.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it? www.authorlucykelly.com is my site. My blog is on there. Each book has it’s own page on my site with inspiration pictures and excerpts.
Authors Amazon page http://www.amazon.com/Lucy-Kelly/e/B008QS1C3W/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
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