Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

Hello Fiona, I hope you are doing well.


Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

My name is Kelly Collins and I’m somewhere between thirty-five and a senior citizen.

 

Fiona: Where are you from?

I’m from many places but I currently live in the beautiful state of Colorado at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

 

Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

I’ve been married to my husband for 27 years. We have three adult children, all engineers of some sort. We have two dogs and a parrot.

 

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

Hmmm, I’m not sure that I have any news worth reporting. I recently went to Harry Potter World, and I got a wand. I was hoping it was truly magical and if I waved it around, my house would be clean, and my laundry done, but I’m obviously using the wrong incantation.

 

 
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I wrote a lot in high school. I had an English teacher named Mr. Andrews that told me someday I’d write a book and publish it. I laughed and walked away. Years later I have over two dozen published novels. Who knew? Obviously Mr. Andrews did so many years ago.

 

 
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Probably the minute my mom made me write the bad word I wrote on my hand 500 more times. On a more serious note, most writers I know feel like somehow they are imposters, and that all of their books were accidents that happened to come together. I knew I could claim the title writer or author when my book The Dean’s List became a bestseller.

 

 
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

I came up with the book Tempo on a flight from New York to Colorado. I sat next to the most beautiful man and thought…what if you met your soul mate on a plane? What if you fell asleep and did something embarrassing? What if you showed up to work the next day and found out he was your new boss? Most stories start out with a what if and go from there.

 

 

 

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

I remember thinking that everything in the world had its own rhythm whether it was music, art, or relationships, and that rhythm could be called a Tempo.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I have a snarky personality. I’m told I have a wicked sense of humor and often that comes out in my characters. My style or tone is often hopeful, and that spills into my work.

 

 
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

For me, I think a lot of my life spills into my work, whether it’s a mood or a moment I’ve experienced. It would be hard to not let my work reflect my state of mind.

I don’t write fantasy so I make sure whatever happens to my characters is believable unless of course you’re talking about the few paranormal bear shifter books I’ve written for Kindle Worlds. To this day I’ve never met a man who actually could turn into a bear. I’ve met a few who acted like angry bears, but that’s not the same.

 

 
Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

No, I don’t have to travel for a book idea, but I often get ideas when I do travel because I see things that are different which spurs creativity.

 

 
Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Almost all of my covers are created by Rebel Edit and Design

 

 

 

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

I don’t go into a book thinking I’m going to push a certain agenda, but I have recurrent themes that often align with second chances, redemption, and hope.

 

 
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

Oh my. There are so many amazing writers out there. I couldn’t name one or even ten I love because I find something new all the time.  My Kindle if full of notables like MJ Summers, Tillie Cole, Louise Bay, Lauren Blakely, Lisa Renee Jones, Colleen Hoover, Darynda Jones, Katy Evans and so many more.

 

 
Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

I have super awesome friends like MJ Summers who talks me off the ledge when I’m ready to jump. I have two walking buddies Corina and Gigi who listen to hours of my talking about upcoming projects. My world is filled with supportive people.

 

 
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

I am a career author. With close to thirty published books, I can’t imagine anyone would see me as anything else.

 

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

Redeeming Ryker turned out exactly how I hoped it would. If I had to change anything, I would probably give Mona a little more page time, but there wasn’t an opportunity in Redeeming Ryker. However, she gets plenty of words in Saving Silas and Delivering Decker. Everyone needs a sassy septuagenarian to make them laugh.

 

 
Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

With every book there is a lot of research that needs to be done. With Redeeming Ryker, I had to learn about motorcycles and prison sentences and graphics design. I learned that the plural of cannolo was cannoli when I thought that cannoli was one and cannolis was plural. Imagine that.

 

 

 

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

I never thought about it until you asked, so… I’d cast Richard Madden (Game of Thrones) as Ryker Savage

 

 
Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

I probably have a tome of advice, but most important is to study your craft and keep writing. Good enough never is, and you should strive to be better with each book.

 

 
Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Yes, I want them to know that reading should always be for pleasure. Find a book and get lost in the words. Each one of the words was chosen specifically for them to make the book more meaningful.

 

 

 

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I am just starting Duke of Manhattan by Louise Bay

 

 

 

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

No, but the first book I remember reading was Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. The first romance novel I ever read was A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux. I read it and I was hooked.

 

 

 

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

My family. My pets. World news. I spend a lot of time laughing at myself. Life is so much easier when you don’t take yourself so seriously.

 

 

 

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

I would have loved to have met my father.

 

 

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Of course I’m an avid reader, but I also love to play slot machines.

 

 

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

I don’t watch much TV, but I like silly things like IZombie, and I love Highlander and Blacklist.

 

 

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Green chili anything. Black is my favorite color because it goes with everything. I’m in love with Ed Sheeran’s music.

 

 

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

I’d like to be an ice cream taster.

 

 

Fiona: What do you want written on your headstone?

The End

 

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

There’s always a free read available on my website.

www.authorkellycollins.com

www.facebook.com/authorkelleycollins

or you can join my team at https://www.facebook.com/groups/217712258429559/

and get all the news first.

Amazon Authors pages

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kelly-Collins/e/B00H3JAYJ8/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kelly-Collins/e/B00H3JAYJ8/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1496027593&sr=1-2-ent

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