Kaylin McFarren's Blog - Posts Tagged "interview"
Books In Sync Author Spotlight Interview With Kaylin McFarren
Kaylin sat before her computer writing FLAHERTY'S CROSSING as a source of personal therapy after losing her beloved father to colon cancer. You might say she was angry at him, at God, at the world in general. However, after writing this story, she had the opportunity to really look into her soul and consider the fact that so many other sons and daughters have had to deal with similar and even worse situations. Rather than a memoir, her novel evolved into a fictional journey which brought about the resolution she needed to find. She never expected this exercise in writing to go to press, touch lives, or win literary awards. But as a result of her good fortune, she has arranged for proceeds from the sale of this book to go directly to the Providence Medical Foundation's colon cancer research department in her father's name. She's now convinced and proudly shares her belief that good things can grow out of the worst times in our lives if you just take the time to open your heart.
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What makes you proud to be a writer from the United States? I love hearing back from readers who have enjoyed my stories and the great letters I continue to receive.
What, or who, inspired you to become a writer? My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Tuttle, encouraged me to write but after watching the Notebook years ago, I was inspired – like so many other authors – to try my hand at writing novels.
When did you begin writing with the intention of being published? Following the death of my father eighteen years ago, I became more passionate about writing – perhaps needing to get a message out. I had hoped to get published after the completion of my first manuscript and was delighted when I received my contract from Champagne Books four years ago.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and why? I suppose the best stories come from the most dramatic times in our lives and mine have definitely impacted the words I set to paper. As far as environment, I’ve been fortunate to travel extensively for the past twenty years, which has allowed me to meet people from all walks of life and incorporate them into my stories. I guess that’s why my characters and their dialogue seem so real. ☺
Do you come up with your title(s) before or after you write the manuscript(s)? I always begin with a title, since I have an idea of what I’m writing about before I start.
Why do you write in the genre(s) that you’ve chosen? I tried my hand at inspirational romance first and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I felt like I was pouring out all my feelings, which can be incredibly draining at times. Then after reading a zillion books, I realized I preferred romantic suspense stories. Using my rather vivid imagination, I decided to involve my heroes in wild adventures around the world and to this day truly look forward to writing.
What has been your most rewarding experience while in the writing process? I would have to say receiving awards for my work, which helped to validate my writing ability, and especially being notified that ‘Flaherty’s Crossing’ was selected as a mainstream fiction finalist in the RWA’s 2008 Golden Heart contest. That was quite a day! ☺
What has been your most negative experience while in the writing process? I suppose this was realizing I needed to be more open to constructive criticism after receiving feedback from a first draft and to realize that it takes hard work to become a credible writer.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? Probably receiving the 2010 Publisher’s Award of Excellence from Champagne Books. I’m still enjoying the little trophy I received which permanently resides on my computer desk. ☺
What has been your most negative experience in your publishing journey? I was discouraged to some degree after receiving rejection letters from twenty of the top publishing firms in the U.S. But according to these editors, the reason wasn’t because of my writing ability, it was because I crossed genres in my novel – making placement on bookshelves incredibly difficult at the time. I have since elected to write with marketability as the main focus while keeping the enjoyment of my readers constantly in mind.
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Read as many books as possible, especially in the genre you’ve interested in pursing as each one brings different elements into the writing arena.
Who is your favorite author and why? I love reading books by Pamela Clare and Suzanne Brockmann because they tend to write fast-moving, riveting stories with unique characters and unexpected twists and turns.
Please tell us the title(s) of your current book(s):
Flaherty's Crossing by Kaylin McFarren
Severed Threads by Kaylin McFarren
What format(s) are your books in: Print Only - E-Book Only - or Both? ‘Flaherty’s Crossing’ is available in all formats; ‘Severed Threads’, which is due out on July 1, 2012, will be released in trade paperback first then e-Book on July 15, 2012.
What special projects are you working on now and what books do we have to look forward to in the future? I’m currently working on the second installment in the Threads series, which will ultimately consist of three romantic suspense novels. This book will be titled Buried Threads and will take my band of merry-making treasure seekers to Tokyo in search of a priceless gem that’s been lost in the Sea of Japan.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us? Flaherty’s Crossing book sales continue to benefit cancer research and I thank readers everywhere for their much-appreciated and needed support.
Please share with us any blogs that you might have: http://kaylinmcfarren.wordpress.com
Author Kaylin McFarren’s Websites:
http://www.flahertyscrossing.com/home...
http://www.kaylinmcfarren.com/home.php
Please Visit Kaylin McFarren Author’s Page At Books In Sync
http://www.booksinsync.com/kaylinmcfa...
*****************************
What makes you proud to be a writer from the United States? I love hearing back from readers who have enjoyed my stories and the great letters I continue to receive.
What, or who, inspired you to become a writer? My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Tuttle, encouraged me to write but after watching the Notebook years ago, I was inspired – like so many other authors – to try my hand at writing novels.
When did you begin writing with the intention of being published? Following the death of my father eighteen years ago, I became more passionate about writing – perhaps needing to get a message out. I had hoped to get published after the completion of my first manuscript and was delighted when I received my contract from Champagne Books four years ago.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and why? I suppose the best stories come from the most dramatic times in our lives and mine have definitely impacted the words I set to paper. As far as environment, I’ve been fortunate to travel extensively for the past twenty years, which has allowed me to meet people from all walks of life and incorporate them into my stories. I guess that’s why my characters and their dialogue seem so real. ☺
Do you come up with your title(s) before or after you write the manuscript(s)? I always begin with a title, since I have an idea of what I’m writing about before I start.
Why do you write in the genre(s) that you’ve chosen? I tried my hand at inspirational romance first and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I felt like I was pouring out all my feelings, which can be incredibly draining at times. Then after reading a zillion books, I realized I preferred romantic suspense stories. Using my rather vivid imagination, I decided to involve my heroes in wild adventures around the world and to this day truly look forward to writing.
What has been your most rewarding experience while in the writing process? I would have to say receiving awards for my work, which helped to validate my writing ability, and especially being notified that ‘Flaherty’s Crossing’ was selected as a mainstream fiction finalist in the RWA’s 2008 Golden Heart contest. That was quite a day! ☺
What has been your most negative experience while in the writing process? I suppose this was realizing I needed to be more open to constructive criticism after receiving feedback from a first draft and to realize that it takes hard work to become a credible writer.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? Probably receiving the 2010 Publisher’s Award of Excellence from Champagne Books. I’m still enjoying the little trophy I received which permanently resides on my computer desk. ☺
What has been your most negative experience in your publishing journey? I was discouraged to some degree after receiving rejection letters from twenty of the top publishing firms in the U.S. But according to these editors, the reason wasn’t because of my writing ability, it was because I crossed genres in my novel – making placement on bookshelves incredibly difficult at the time. I have since elected to write with marketability as the main focus while keeping the enjoyment of my readers constantly in mind.
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Read as many books as possible, especially in the genre you’ve interested in pursing as each one brings different elements into the writing arena.
Who is your favorite author and why? I love reading books by Pamela Clare and Suzanne Brockmann because they tend to write fast-moving, riveting stories with unique characters and unexpected twists and turns.
Please tell us the title(s) of your current book(s):
Flaherty's Crossing by Kaylin McFarren
Severed Threads by Kaylin McFarren
What format(s) are your books in: Print Only - E-Book Only - or Both? ‘Flaherty’s Crossing’ is available in all formats; ‘Severed Threads’, which is due out on July 1, 2012, will be released in trade paperback first then e-Book on July 15, 2012.
What special projects are you working on now and what books do we have to look forward to in the future? I’m currently working on the second installment in the Threads series, which will ultimately consist of three romantic suspense novels. This book will be titled Buried Threads and will take my band of merry-making treasure seekers to Tokyo in search of a priceless gem that’s been lost in the Sea of Japan.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us? Flaherty’s Crossing book sales continue to benefit cancer research and I thank readers everywhere for their much-appreciated and needed support.
Please share with us any blogs that you might have: http://kaylinmcfarren.wordpress.com
Author Kaylin McFarren’s Websites:
http://www.flahertyscrossing.com/home...
http://www.kaylinmcfarren.com/home.php
Please Visit Kaylin McFarren Author’s Page At Books In Sync
http://www.booksinsync.com/kaylinmcfa...
Linda Yoshida writes the book on giving
Front Page - Portland Tribune, Clackamas Review, Oregon City News
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Written by Ellen Spitaleri
Although Linda Yoshida may not call herself a Renaissance woman, it is easy to think of her that way. She used to own a large art gallery and is still a major supporter of the arts, and she is an author, who has published three books, with another one on the way.
But more importantly, Yoshida, along with her husband, businessman Junki Yoshida, supports communities throughout the metro area with several charities, especially the Soulful Giving Foundation.
Linda Yoshida’s father died from colon cancer, and during the process of his death, she kept a journal, which provided the basis for her first book, “Flaherty’s Crossing.” She donated 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of that book to colon cancer research.
Then she visited Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and found out about the Cancer Center for Children. The visit made her realize she needed “to spread out and do more for cancer research. I would love to see treatment start with children. So I sat down with my husband and we came up with the Soulful Giving Foundation; after all, giving comes from the heart and soul.”
The Yoshidas started the foundation five years ago, and the result was an event called the Artful Giving Blanket Concert, held on the grounds of their home in Troutdale. “It combines all the artistic elements — music, visual arts, food and wine. Since everything I do is about the arts, it seemed like a natural connection,” she said. Guests pay $50 for a ticket to the grounds, set up a blanket and enjoy everything happening around them in a forested, natural setting.
“This is an opportunity for the community to come together, and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and Providence Cancer Research Center,” Yoshida said.
And what does she like best about giving back to her community? “I have received a number of letters from people who appreciate what we do. They see we want to help them. It is easy to just write a check and donate money, but with the foundation, we see people coming together and that is so much grander.” She added that she appreciates the support she gets from board members, all of whom have a connection to cancer in some way, and from more than 100 volunteers. “We welcome volunteers and sponsors. We love to see people affected by cancer find an avenue to help others, and dedicate a contribution to someone they’ve lost,” Yoshida said.
Although she and her husband are Troutdale residents, the board members for the Soulful Giving Foundation come from across the tri-county area, including Angela Fox, publisher of the Clackamas Review and Oregon City News. J. Mark Garber, president of Clackamas-based Pamplin Media Group, Gov. John Kitzhaber, Metro Council President Tom Hughes and U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, who are honorary chairmen of the foundation.
When she sat down to write “Flaherty’s Crossing,” her first book, Yoshida decided to come up with a pseudonym that would honor both her own Irish heritage and her daughter, Happy Valley resident Kristina McMorris, who also is an author. Yoshida chose to write under the name Kaylin McFarren; the Kay is based on the letter K, for Kristina, and Yoshida’s own maiden name, McFarren. “I am 100 percent Irish — both my parents’ families emigrated from Ireland,” she said, noting that the name is also a dedication to her aunt and her great-grandmother, who also were writers.
“Flaherty’s Crossing” is based on Yoshida’s own father’s death; it is a novel about love, loss and the power of forgiveness when a young woman, who is estranged from her father, hears his deathbed confession. “I had a strained relationship with my father, and we tried to connect before his death, but he passed away before we had that opportunity. So I thought about a character whose father comes to see her as a ghost, to complete those issues in life,” she said. As she set about writing her second book, Yoshida made a decision to self-publish her work, noting that she can now be her own boss and write when she feels like writing.
Both her two most current books, “Severed Threads” and “Buried Threads,” fit into the romantic suspense category and have sold so well that she is now working on a third book in the series, “Banished Threads.” In “Severed Threads” we meet deep-sea diver Rachel Lyons, who is called upon by a museum director to assist Chase Cohen, her former love interest, with the recovery of a cursed relic from a sunken Chinese merchant ship. She has no intention of cooperating, until her brother is kidnapped by a drug-dealing gangster. In order to save him and gain control over her own life, Rachel must not only overcome her greatest fears, but also relive the circumstances that led to her father’s death in a diving accident.
In the most current book, “Buried Threads,” published in October, readers meet the treasure-hunting duo again. “They have been invited to Japan to look for a sunken treasure, but this job is much more complex and dangerous than anything they have done before. Shinzo, a Buddhist monk, tells them if the treasure isn’t found, then the destruction of Japan will happen,” Yoshida said. Other elements that come into play are beautiful, exotic women, some of whom can fight their way out of most situations, Japanese gangsters, hungry sharks and eels, restless spirits, and lots of obstacles that Chase and Rachel must overcome to survive.
Yoshida noted that 20 percent of the proceeds from these two books will be donated to children’s cancer research.
Yoshida’s third book in the series, “Banished Threads,” is going to be more of a mystery-thriller. In this book, her duo will go to England to visit Rachel’s uncle and will become embroiled in an art theft.
The word “threads” ties in to all of her books for a reason, she said, since Asians believe that love and people are connected by threads, and if you lose someone, the thread is severed. But, if you choose to, you can keep the memory alive, or you can move on and develop a new relationship.
Her biggest thrill is to see her books in print: “It is so exciting. I feel accomplished that I started something and finished it.”
To read excerpts from or purchase Linda Yoshida’s books, visit her website at kaylinmcfarren.com. Her books also are available at Amazon.com.
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Written by Ellen Spitaleri
Although Linda Yoshida may not call herself a Renaissance woman, it is easy to think of her that way. She used to own a large art gallery and is still a major supporter of the arts, and she is an author, who has published three books, with another one on the way.
But more importantly, Yoshida, along with her husband, businessman Junki Yoshida, supports communities throughout the metro area with several charities, especially the Soulful Giving Foundation.
Linda Yoshida’s father died from colon cancer, and during the process of his death, she kept a journal, which provided the basis for her first book, “Flaherty’s Crossing.” She donated 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of that book to colon cancer research.
Then she visited Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and found out about the Cancer Center for Children. The visit made her realize she needed “to spread out and do more for cancer research. I would love to see treatment start with children. So I sat down with my husband and we came up with the Soulful Giving Foundation; after all, giving comes from the heart and soul.”
The Yoshidas started the foundation five years ago, and the result was an event called the Artful Giving Blanket Concert, held on the grounds of their home in Troutdale. “It combines all the artistic elements — music, visual arts, food and wine. Since everything I do is about the arts, it seemed like a natural connection,” she said. Guests pay $50 for a ticket to the grounds, set up a blanket and enjoy everything happening around them in a forested, natural setting.
“This is an opportunity for the community to come together, and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and Providence Cancer Research Center,” Yoshida said.
And what does she like best about giving back to her community? “I have received a number of letters from people who appreciate what we do. They see we want to help them. It is easy to just write a check and donate money, but with the foundation, we see people coming together and that is so much grander.” She added that she appreciates the support she gets from board members, all of whom have a connection to cancer in some way, and from more than 100 volunteers. “We welcome volunteers and sponsors. We love to see people affected by cancer find an avenue to help others, and dedicate a contribution to someone they’ve lost,” Yoshida said.
Although she and her husband are Troutdale residents, the board members for the Soulful Giving Foundation come from across the tri-county area, including Angela Fox, publisher of the Clackamas Review and Oregon City News. J. Mark Garber, president of Clackamas-based Pamplin Media Group, Gov. John Kitzhaber, Metro Council President Tom Hughes and U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, who are honorary chairmen of the foundation.
When she sat down to write “Flaherty’s Crossing,” her first book, Yoshida decided to come up with a pseudonym that would honor both her own Irish heritage and her daughter, Happy Valley resident Kristina McMorris, who also is an author. Yoshida chose to write under the name Kaylin McFarren; the Kay is based on the letter K, for Kristina, and Yoshida’s own maiden name, McFarren. “I am 100 percent Irish — both my parents’ families emigrated from Ireland,” she said, noting that the name is also a dedication to her aunt and her great-grandmother, who also were writers.
“Flaherty’s Crossing” is based on Yoshida’s own father’s death; it is a novel about love, loss and the power of forgiveness when a young woman, who is estranged from her father, hears his deathbed confession. “I had a strained relationship with my father, and we tried to connect before his death, but he passed away before we had that opportunity. So I thought about a character whose father comes to see her as a ghost, to complete those issues in life,” she said. As she set about writing her second book, Yoshida made a decision to self-publish her work, noting that she can now be her own boss and write when she feels like writing.
Both her two most current books, “Severed Threads” and “Buried Threads,” fit into the romantic suspense category and have sold so well that she is now working on a third book in the series, “Banished Threads.” In “Severed Threads” we meet deep-sea diver Rachel Lyons, who is called upon by a museum director to assist Chase Cohen, her former love interest, with the recovery of a cursed relic from a sunken Chinese merchant ship. She has no intention of cooperating, until her brother is kidnapped by a drug-dealing gangster. In order to save him and gain control over her own life, Rachel must not only overcome her greatest fears, but also relive the circumstances that led to her father’s death in a diving accident.
In the most current book, “Buried Threads,” published in October, readers meet the treasure-hunting duo again. “They have been invited to Japan to look for a sunken treasure, but this job is much more complex and dangerous than anything they have done before. Shinzo, a Buddhist monk, tells them if the treasure isn’t found, then the destruction of Japan will happen,” Yoshida said. Other elements that come into play are beautiful, exotic women, some of whom can fight their way out of most situations, Japanese gangsters, hungry sharks and eels, restless spirits, and lots of obstacles that Chase and Rachel must overcome to survive.
Yoshida noted that 20 percent of the proceeds from these two books will be donated to children’s cancer research.
Yoshida’s third book in the series, “Banished Threads,” is going to be more of a mystery-thriller. In this book, her duo will go to England to visit Rachel’s uncle and will become embroiled in an art theft.
The word “threads” ties in to all of her books for a reason, she said, since Asians believe that love and people are connected by threads, and if you lose someone, the thread is severed. But, if you choose to, you can keep the memory alive, or you can move on and develop a new relationship.
Her biggest thrill is to see her books in print: “It is so exciting. I feel accomplished that I started something and finished it.”
To read excerpts from or purchase Linda Yoshida’s books, visit her website at kaylinmcfarren.com. Her books also are available at Amazon.com.
Kaylin's New Radio Interview!
For anyone who's interested in hearing more about Buried Threads and my creative process, please take a few moments to listen to Inside Scoop…a fun and informative radio interview. http://insidescooplive.com/kaylinmcfa...
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Thank you!
Newspaper Interview - Published on December 29, 2017
Sharing a fun interview from the Outlook - a popular newspaper circulated in Oregon. Here's the link for anyone who might be interested in reading it:http://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news...
