Ask the Author: K.P. Gresham
Answered Questions (7)
K.P. Gresham
Everything Louise Penny. Spent my reading hours with Armand Gamache.
K.P. Gresham
I am an observant person. Whether my experiences or observations are something that happened thirty years ago, or something that happens to me today, I have internal responses to what is going on around me. My reactions sometime include laughter, indignation, anger, love. Any of these can be become inspirations for writing.
K.P. Gresham
LEARN YOUR CRAFT. Take classes. Participate in critique groups. Attend writer's conferences. Join associations. I am a member of Sisters in Crime, The Writers League of Texas, Mystery Writers of America and Romance Writers of America. I learn something from all of these groups.
And develop a thick skin. Learn to take criticism and learn from it. If you go on for months and years saying everyone says I'm wrong, but I'm going to do this anyway, there's a very good chance you're not going to get any better. Of course I believe in the writer as an artist--I'm not putting aside that fire that makes me write as only I can write--but I'm married to my husband, not my manuscript. If I can make it better, I need to bite the bullet and learn how to do it.
And develop a thick skin. Learn to take criticism and learn from it. If you go on for months and years saying everyone says I'm wrong, but I'm going to do this anyway, there's a very good chance you're not going to get any better. Of course I believe in the writer as an artist--I'm not putting aside that fire that makes me write as only I can write--but I'm married to my husband, not my manuscript. If I can make it better, I need to bite the bullet and learn how to do it.
K.P. Gresham
Writer's block would be a problem for me IF I didn't have two stories going at the same time. Here's how that works for me. I write on Book A until I hit that wall. (BTW, most blocks occur for me because I've written something "not right". It's like my subconscious says, "No way, honey. This is the wrong path.) Then I take up writing on Book B. It's like a breath of fresh air--I'm excited to be with these characters again, back in this plot again, etc. Eventually I will hit a block in story B. By that time, my brain (what there is of it) has figured out what's wrong with Book A. Sometimes I help this along by re-reading what I've already got down on the page. It's so much easier to see the forest through the trees when I've been away from the story for a little while.
K.P. Gresham
I like the story in my head going down on the page. I like creating the characters, the world in which they live, the conflicts they must overcome. And I am floored by how helpful the writing community is. Authors are friendly, helpful, go-out-of-their-way kind of folks. We're all nerds about the craft, and we've all had to go through the long process of building our skills, finding our voice, learning the "biz". This isn't an easy path for a career, and it's wonderful being surrounded by folks who are willing to help you "get the t-shirt" as it were.
K.P. Gresham
As always, I have to projects in process. I am working on finishing up the third in the Pastor Matt Hayden Mysteries Series. (The first in that series, "The Preacher's First Murder" come out in July, 2016.) I'm also deep into the middle of a project I am writing about how a current day Hitler is coming into power, and what desperate means the survivors of World War II will employ to keep him from power.
K.P. Gresham
I've been a life-long Cubs fan, and the daughter of a life-long Cubs fan. Dad was born in 1920, but in his entire lifetime of 84 years, he never saw the Cubs win the World Series. When you come from genes like that, you're a Cubs fan, win or lose. Considering the current 2016 season, however, I have to say that winnins is a lot more fun!
As to the plot of the book, the idea came when my eight-year-old (at the time) daughter asked me why girls couldn't play professional ball. Rachel Cavaretti was born, and my love for the Cubs had to be the setting.
As to the plot of the book, the idea came when my eight-year-old (at the time) daughter asked me why girls couldn't play professional ball. Rachel Cavaretti was born, and my love for the Cubs had to be the setting.
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