About the Author
I'm just your average bookworm who likes to spend an embarrassing amount of time in make-believe places.
I've had many jobs from construction (I can drive a backhoe, tar and shingle a roof, and frame out a house) to waiting on tables, threading film through a projector, managing horse farms, and selling men's underwear (a talent, I tell you!).
In the writing world, I'm a 2010 double RITA finalist, a three-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, and a recipient of an NC Arts Council Fellowship grant in Literature.
Author FAQs
Q: How long did it take you to get published?
A: I started writing with career intentions when I was in my teens, almost *cough, cough* two decades ago with screenplays and plays, for which I garnered several finalist placings in screenwriting contests (Austin Film Festival, Red Inkworks, Hollywood Symposium, Disney Fellowship, to name a few). I think my rejection pile page-count might rival a novel or two! I also wrote several partials and unfinished novels, but the first novel I actually finished and started submitting was in 2003. It was a romantic comedy that I wrote during a three-week span of alone time. It was horrible, but I proved to myself I could write a book from start to finish.
Q: THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS isn't exactly a romantic comedy *grins*, so how many books did you write before selling BPOD?
A: I believe I wrote 6 novels: 2 rom coms, 1 paranormal romance, 1 thriller, 1 young adult fantasy, and 1 mainstream novel. Guess it took me a few manuscripts to find my stride and figure out this writing thing . . . and still not sure I have it completely figured out! ;-)
Q: How long does it take you to write a book?
A: It depends a lot on the book, but usually around four months.
Q: Give us an idea of your typical writing day.
A: Coffee. Kids off to school. About an hour of checking emails, responding, posting on my blog or updating my social networks, etc... Then, I write until lunch time. Usually, I eat a whatever is quickest to make, then go for a walk or run, then work another few hours until the kids get home. After that, I'm off. Unless, I'm behind on my deadlines or page count, then I'll work a little at night.
A few of Kelly's favorite things
-
Movies! I love all things historical, fantasy, and sci-fi. Some random favs are: THE FIFTH ELEMENT, GLADIATOR, LEGEND, INDIANA JONES SERIES, STAR TREK SERIES, THE MUMMY, STARGATE, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, EVER AFTER, BLADE RUNNER, LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY, EMPIRE OF THE SUN, ALIEN, LADY HAWKE, THE BLACK STALLION...
-
Books! Shocker right? Again, I'll just throw out some random favorites and auto-buys: MARION ZIMMER BRADLEY, MARY STEWART, MARGARET GEORGE, ANATOLE FRANCE, ALEXANDRE DUMAS, MARY SHELLEY, ANNE RICE, NEIL GAIMAN, LIBBA BRAY, KIM HARRISON, VICKI PETTERSSON, LILITH SAINTCROW, JENNA BLACK, STEPHEN KING, JOHN SAUL... and the list goes on and on and on...