Author Interview: Eileen Key
Over the next several months I will be interviewing some of my favorite authors. I'm tickled pink to start with one of my best friends (and favorite authors), Eileen Key. Eileen and I go way back. Way back. In 2004 she invited me to come to San Antonio, where she hosted me and helped promote my book, Hurricane. I've never forgotten her kindness or her sweet, funny spirit. To this day, she's one of my favorite people on the planet. I only wish she lived closer! I hope you enjoy my interview with Eileen.
About Eileen: Eileen Key is an ACFW success story. Since 2003, she has published numerous devotionals and articles as well as three books: Dog Gone, Barbour; Door County Christmas, Barbour: Forget-Me-Not, Avalon. She has two more contracted novellas which will release in 2012. Eileen's humorous approach to life has carried her through tough times: including rejections! She lives near her three grown children and three amazing grandchildren. She is an active member of Grace-San Antonio Community Church. To Eileen, life is all about relationships: knowing people and showing them the way toward Christ.
Eileen's upcoming book: Forget-Me-Not by Avalon (Coming in the fall of '11)
Eileen's favorite scripture: Joel 2:25: "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm— my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you
Did you choose writing, or did writing choose you? Great question. Writing chose me! And the more I tried to 'splain I'm not a writer, the more the roots entangled me.
Tell us how you got started. A friend at work asked me why I didn't write and asked me to attend her face-to-face critique group. I've been an avid reader all my life, and her invitation fueled my curiosity. Astonished at some of the erotica presented, I came home and Googled 'Christian-fiction-writer' and found ACRW. I joined the group and began my first novel.
Who (or what) helps you learn the craft? Have you gone to conferences? Taken courses? Joined a writing group? Oh. Definitely American Christian Fiction Writers developed my writing. I've attended 9 conferences, and taken numerous workshops. I'm a member of an excellent online critique group. Yes, I've read books on craft, but I've discovered having someone read what I wrote and point out errors makes me self-edit.
Eileen's newest grandbaby
When you're not writing, what fills your time? Grandkids! It's a blessing to live near my children and their children. . .most of the time! Often I get to pick up my grandson from school—I'm careful to say "get to" instead of "have to" since this privilege won't last many years. My granddaughter is involved in gymnastics and dance classes. What fun to see her grow. And March 30, 2011, we welcomed Samuel into the fold. Nothing like a new baby smell.
What sage advice can you offer writers who are just getting started? Write. Write. Write. If you choose to write fiction, join ACFW because you'll learn so much. Don't be discouraged. See the scripture I chose. I've had many ups and downs in life and many rejections. Just continue to walk the path the Lord lays before you.
Tell us about your WIP (work in progress): Currently I'm working on a novella set in Wisconsin. I'm a Texan! Online research rocks. Part of my story takes place at a Strawberry Festival in Cedarburg and I located footage on Youtube. I did have to imagine the yummy smells of strawberry shortcake and barbecued ribs.
Do you plot your novels or write by the seat of your pants? A bit of both. I like to have an idea of where I'm going—nothing set in stone—because once my fingers hit the keyboard, the characters seem to dance to their own tunes.
Do you have a certain editing procedure that you follow? Yep. I'm in an amazing crit group which has taught me so much. We usually write a chapter and send it through for editing. Then I go in, take their suggestions and add or delete. Really polishes up the book before it's sent to the publisher.
Are you affiliated with any professional organizations? If so, please list them. American Christian Fiction Writers, Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers (an ACFW chapter)
Which writing conferences do you attend and/or recommend? Any particular conference instructor who's made a difference in your writing/career? ACFW conference. I have attended Marlene Bagnull's CO conference once, and one held by Jerry Jenkins.
What are your favorite marketing strategies? UGH. Marketing is so hard for me. I can promote your work, but pushing mine is another story! Since I'm not in the "big leagues" I've only done local booksignings. Word of mouth and Facebook is very helpful.
What would you like readers to take away from your book? Interestingly enough all five of my stories have evolved to include forgiveness. I struggled with bitterness in my personal life after a divorce and had to learn to forgive. I have a little cross-stitched "saying" hanging in my home: "Knowing WHY doesn't make a difference. Knowing Jesus does." Took me years to start to absorb that fact, and I'm still a work-in-progress. In this season of my life, I see the Lord restoring what the locusts ate.
Why did you choose to write this book? It's a mystery! A mystery book. I love mysteries. My first sale was for the new Barbour mystery line. I was crushed when it closed. Since I had completed a second book, my agent shopped it all over the CBA, but they said no mystery interest. She finally sold it to Avalon, an ABA publisher of family-friendly fiction.
What is the best lesson you have learned from another writer? Kim Vogel Sawyer wrote the word EMOTE over and over again on my manuscripts. I'm a bare bones, tell-me-what-happened writer. A Barbour editor said I wrote too lean. I figured I wrote like I read: I skip the parts that aren't action. So I've had to learn to describe and emote. Thanks, Kim!
Anything you wish you'd known before you set off to publish a book? It takes a village and an era to get published!
Share the opening paragraph of your book here:
Aunt Della's royal summons stuck in my craw. I deliberately relaxed my white-knuckled hands grasping the steering wheel and guided the rented SUV around an eighteen wheeler. I gritted my teeth and checked the rearview mirror. I should be enjoying the luxury of this ride over my aged Jeep instead of fretting, but Mother's sister grated on my nerves, even when I was a kid. And despite my constant vows to be grown up and not let her boss me around, every time she commanded my presence, I caved in and appeared on her doorstep. Family loyalty and all that. At least that's what I told myself— I didn't want to admit she still intimidated me.
How can readers get in touch with you? Eileenkey@sbcglobal.net and FB, of course!
