Ask the Author: Kathy Ivan
Answered Questions (9)
Kathy Ivan
Hi Beverly! First, thanks so much for the kind words about these books. I love writing stories with interesting characters, and to me the setting/location is kind of like a secondary character. I try to breathe life into it, make the reader notice things like the vivid colors, the buildings, even the scents and smells. All of these can trigger emotions.
For New Orleans, I've visited there a couple of times in the past, though it has been a few years the ambience and vitality of the city lingers in my mind. Especially the French Quarter which is bustling with activity and vitality. I drew on those memories as well as did research online, looking at pictures to remind me of what I'd seen and the foods I'd eaten while I was there.
As for Southern California, I actually lived there for several years when I was growing up (through my junior year in high school), so I'm very familiar with the areas, though not San Diego specifically. For that I simply used my imagination along with things I've seen on television. But I have a vivid imagination, and tried to make it realistic to what I thought would fit with the story.
Thanks so much for reading and loving my books!
For New Orleans, I've visited there a couple of times in the past, though it has been a few years the ambience and vitality of the city lingers in my mind. Especially the French Quarter which is bustling with activity and vitality. I drew on those memories as well as did research online, looking at pictures to remind me of what I'd seen and the foods I'd eaten while I was there.
As for Southern California, I actually lived there for several years when I was growing up (through my junior year in high school), so I'm very familiar with the areas, though not San Diego specifically. For that I simply used my imagination along with things I've seen on television. But I have a vivid imagination, and tried to make it realistic to what I thought would fit with the story.
Thanks so much for reading and loving my books!
Kathy Ivan
Thank you, I'm thrilled to hear that you love my books. Makes my heart happy. Yes, I do plan on writing Dean's book, I'm hoping by the end of 2020 or beginning of 2021. Thanks for asking.
Kathy Ivan
Yes, the plan for this series is to have a book for each one of the Boudreau brothers. And, absolutely Veronica "Nica" will get her own book. As long as readers are loving the Boudreau family, I'll write more books about them. There are lots of Boudreaus out there. :-)
Kathy Ivan
Truthfully, everything inspires me. Looking at a photo can inspire me. I can be watching TV, and suddenly an idea will pop up out of nowhere, and my brain with run with it, making up scenarios and asking "what if" questions.
People watching is great too, because you can silent ask what they story is, and make up a whole array of things that are happening, and since it's fiction you can put them into any situation, give them lots of obstacles to overcome, and still let them have a happy ending.
People watching is great too, because you can silent ask what they story is, and make up a whole array of things that are happening, and since it's fiction you can put them into any situation, give them lots of obstacles to overcome, and still let them have a happy ending.
Kathy Ivan
Though I don't often get bogged down (writer's block), when I do, I find I like to meet with other authors, maybe go to lunch or dinner, and talk. Maybe toss around a couple of ideas for stories. The more we talk, the more excited I get to write the books. But the main thing I need to do is keep writing. The more I write, the less time I have to deal with writer's block.
Kathy Ivan
I get ideas from everywhere. Maybe a news story. Maybe reading an article. Sometimes it's just people watching and wondering what's going on in their lives. I'm rare out of ideas for books, and when I'm wondering where to go next, a good brainstorming session with fellow writers will spark the creative juices flowing again, and then I can't wait to get back to the keyboard to tell it.
Kathy Ivan
I just finished Deadly Justice which will be coming out in about a week. It's part of the New Orleans Connection Series. I also have a book coming out in Susan Stoker's Kindle World, Saving Sarah, which I'm really proud of and it will release on July 21, 2016.
Next I'll be writing Tate's book in the Lovin' Las Vegas series. He was introduced in Match Made in Vegas (Cindy's brother) and he deserves his own Happily Ever After too.
Next I'll be writing Tate's book in the Lovin' Las Vegas series. He was introduced in Match Made in Vegas (Cindy's brother) and he deserves his own Happily Ever After too.
Kathy Ivan
Keep writing. If it's something you want to do, and you have stories to tell, then keep writing. Each book, each story, will evolve and be a little different and a little better. Don't every let anybody take your dream away from you. And don't forget the value of having an awesome editor who will help you make your books even better.
Kathy Ivan
I love everything about being a writer. But mostly, it's being able to tell a story, show people a new world and new characters, and have them enter that world with me. Having the readers care about the people in the books, and root for them to overcome all the odds and come out victorious in the end. I want to reader to feel like they've climbed into my books, that the people, both the good guys and the villains, are real, that they can picture them a vividly as if they were watching them in a movie. It's a real thrill when it all comes together.
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