Author Interview with Kay Springsteen

Hello Kay, please tell us about you, as a writer.
I've written since childhood. When I ran outof things to read, I'd make up stories and write them in notebooks, later onthe typewriter, then the computer. But I never pursued publication until thisyear. It was just more for fun. I love to craft stories in which the peoplehave lots to overcome but in the end they ultimately win.
Your book 'Elusive Echoes', isa contemporary romantic suspense; perhaps you'd you give us some insight intoit in a few sentences.
Sean and Melanie have been nearly constantcompanions since childhood, except for several years when she had been forcedto live with relatives she hated. Those years scarred her and made it hard forMel and Sean to reconnect. Now her past coming back in a big way.
How did you come to write this particular book?
This is actually a follow up book to myrelease from earlier this year, Lifeline Echoes, and is the story of THAThero's brother.
     Do you have a favourite character from thebook? If so, who and why this particular one?
My favourite character in both the Echoesbooks is the heroes' father, Justin. He's kind of an amalgam of my parents andme as a parent to my own children. Imparts bits of wisdom throughout thestories, strong sense of right and wrong. But he can be counted on to givestraight talk.
Where can people buy your books?
Available at: AstraeaPress, Amazon,Barnes& Noble
What qualities does a writer need to be successful?
Availability to readers. If you don't connectwith readers on a more personal level, you can be the greatest writer in theworld, but you'll still fall short.
What's your working method?
I have two part-time jobs aside from mywriting, so a lot of time I work on my stories late into the night. It seems towork. No phone distractions, very peaceful (though I do write to music).
What's the single biggest mistake made by beginner writers?
Not having an experienced critique partneror group and/or not listening to their advice. Writers don't have to doeverything every crit partner suggests, but I recommend if you don't agree youtalk it through and see where you and the partner can come to an agreement. Ifthe crit partner doesn't like it, find out the reasons.
To what extent are grammar and spelling important in writing?
They are 100% important. I am also an editorfor a different press than where I write, and I see many mistakes thatsometimes ruin a good manuscript.
How much do you revise your MS before sending it off?
I write a draft, then revise it. Then Isubmit to my critique partners and make revisions based on feedback. Then Ire-read it and make further adjustments. Then I submit my work. After that, Ilisten to the content and line editors and make adjustments as they guide.
As a writer of sweet romance, contemporary romance and romanticsuspense, to what extent do you think genre is useful in the publishing world?
I edit a very high heat level but I got mybreak in publishing by writing sweet. It really doesn't matter, the genre, so muchas you enjoy what you write and you market to the readers who enjoy what youwrite.
Many authors see marketing as a bind. What's your opinion on this, andhow do you deal with it?
I don't do a ton of heavy marketing. I letreaders know I'm out there, and when I have a new release but I don't pressureothers or harass them with my promotions. I do try to reach out to othersthrough blog tours such as this and I open my own blog for others to visit.
What sort of displacement activities keep you from writing?My "real job," running errands, andhousework are my least favourite time killers. Gardening, hiking with my dogs,playing with my granddaughter, and photography are things I love so I don'tmind stepping away from a story to participate.
What support, if any, do you receive from family and friends, or awriting group?
My friends and children are the mostsupportive ever! My daughters enjoy helping me plot and plan my stories.
Is presentation of the MS as important as agents and publishers suggest?
I believe it is, especially since I alsowork on the editing side of things. If you want to be taken seriously, beprofessional. Writing IS a profession. If you want to be successful in anyprofession, you put on the uniform. A banker doesn't apply for a job wearingBermuda shorts and sandals. An author shouldn't apply to a publisher with amanuscript that is the equivalent of that.
How long does it take you to write a novel?
Depends on the novel. Usually about 1 monthto a rough draft then 6 months to finish revisions and submission.
Who or what inspires your writing?
Everything around me. I people watch when Igo out. I watch the news. I listen to music. And I talk to my family. All ofthese have potential to plant a seed that can and often does grow into a majorstory.
If there's a single aspect of writing you find frustrating, what is it?
The muddle in the middle – just pastintroducing the characters but just before the first obstacle. When thecharacters don't feel inspired, and seem to want to mill about aimlessly.
Is there a particular feature of writing that you really enjoy?
The hunt for the next plot.
Do you believe creative writing is a natural gift or an acquired skill?
I think it's a bit of both. But I believethe possession of innate talent inspires the desire to hone the craft. I feelthis about any inspired art form.
What are you writing now?
A novel in the tradition of my debut novel,Heartsight, which is currently titled Heartcries.
Do you have a website or blog where readers can visit?
Interested people can find me at my blog http://kayspringsteen.wordpress.com/and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kay-Springsteen-Author-of-Romance/143469035711422
Given unlimited resources, where would you do your writing?
I would probably buy an RV, pack up my pups,and roll out across the U.S. stopping when I found something interesting, andwriting by voice recognition software. I do my best writing behind the wheel,but usually have to wait until I get to my computer before I can type what was"written" in my head.
Where do you actually write?
I write in my head almostconstantly, anywhere I happen to be. But physically typing the story out, I sitat my desk in an office of my home.
Elusive Echoes -PG rated novel
(mild violence and mature themes but no graphiccursing or explicit sexual encounters)
They're two people caught between friendshipand something more; they can't move forward, and they can't let go.
Drawn together from early childhood, Sean McGeeand Melanie Mitchell seemed destined for each other. But at age thirteen,Melanie was wrenched from the people she loved and forced onto a path sheloathed. Sean was no stranger to people leaving, but losing Melanie devastatedhim. When she suddenly reappeared in Orson's Folly, Sean was overjoyed. TheMelanie who came home, though, wasn't the same girl. She's got a harder edgeand she's obviously hiding something, but Sean no longer knows how to reachher.
Returning to Orson's Folly as an adult, all Melanie wantedto do was forget the years she spent away. But she soon learned that going homedidn't mean she could return to her old life—or her childhood sweetheart, Sean.Even their mutual attraction to one another hasn't rebuilt the bond of trustand closeness they once shared. It's been seven years since she returned andnow everything Melanie wants to forget has broadsided her. She must confronther demons and relive her past in an unexpected way or risk losing the only manshe's ever loved. But even if she succeeds, Sean might be lost to her anyway.EXCERPT:Mel sighed. She couldn't remembera time since they'd been teenagers when she hadn't wanted to be Sean's girl.Yet they never seemed to get beyond a few heated kisses before he hightailed itin the opposite direction. Sometimes it was hard to tell if he really wanted tokiss her or if he was just being polite."Maybe I'll see you tomorrow,then?" As always she felt a little anxious about his answer, though she usuallytried to cover her anxiety with an attitude of nonchalance.He smiled and gave her a peck onthe cheek with one last warm hug. Then he rubbed the back of his neck and casta sheepish glance her way. "Hope so."She breathed more easily when shecaught his "yes" tell. He always seemed just a little on the shy side when hesaid yes to something that was important to him.Sean waited for her to cross theparking lot again before he left. He probably didn't know she routinely stoodat the door and watched his taillights disappear.