Author of the Month
Kathy Love [August 2006]
Chosen by reviewer Faith Smith, MyShelf.Com

    Kathy Love has been labeled "a character-driven author, who prefers complex subjects that add an emotional, humorous edge" by Romantic Times. Her "Ugly Stepp Sisters" trilogy was released in 2004-2005. She also has two Brava vampire romances, Fangs for the Memories and Fangs But No Fangs is in stores in now. Her third in the trilogy I only have Fangs for You will be out in December 2006. Originally from Maine, Kathy now resides in Maryland with her husband, daughter and a guinea pig named Squiggy Piggy.

Interview

Faith: Please tell us a bit about the personal you.

Kathy: Let's see the personal me? I live in Maryland with my husband, Todd, and our beautiful daughter, Emily. We are in the process of purchasing a new house. High stress! Hmm. What else? I drink gallons of iced tea a week (with lots of ice). I'm a night owl. I'm addicted (sadly, I know) to reality TV. And when I was little I wanted to be on the Merv Griffin show--as a singer. Because in my mind, that was hitting the big time. LOL!

Faith: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Kathy: I don't recall the exact moment, but I guess it was in junior high sometime. I started reading Harlequins around that time, and I loved them. But often, I would rewrite them into the kind of story I wanted. I didn't really realize I was wanting to be a writer, but I was. And I'd already found my genre too.

Faith: How did you break into the publishing business?

Kathy: For me, it was truly a fluke. I was writing a vampire romance, which was a very different version of what later became Fangs For The Memories. At the time, in 2002, most publishers were saying they didn't really want vampire romance. So, I didn't think I had a shot of getting this story published. But then, one of my critique partners met Kate Duffy at a conference and asked if my book, a rather humorous vampire romance, would be something Kate might be interested in. Kate said sure and told her to have me call her office. Very nervously, I did. She asked for the full manuscript. Kate called me and said that she really loved my voice, but didn't love the vampires. Did I have anything else? Much to my dismay, I had to tell her no.

So she asked me to just pitch her an idea. After much panicking, I did. She called me back within a half an hour of receiving my emailed proposal, and said that she wanted all three of the books I'd pitched. I was utterly flabbergasted. And those ideas later became my Stepp sister trilogy. Getting What You Want, Wanting What You Get and Wanting Something More.

Faith: Any snags before you became published?

Kathy: You know, not really. As I said, my step into the publishing world was unusual, and Kate Duffy has been a huge advocate of my writing. So really, it was scarily easy, which just isn't the norm, I know. I realize my journey to getting published was truly dumb luck and finding an editor right away who got my voice and my style.

Faith: What is your favorite genre to read?

Kathy: I read a lot of historical. Lisa Kleypas, Samantha James, Gaelen Foley and Julianne McLean are a few of my favorites. I also adore Susan Elizabeth Phillips. And I'm loving JR Ward's vampire series. And Sherrilyn Kenyon

Faith: How do you come up with your plots?

Kathy: I get plots everywhere. But usually I imagine a certain character, then I build the plot around that person. With my vampires, I totally visualized Rhys, the hero of Fangs For The Memories, first. Then I thought about what his heroine was like, and what would keep them from being together. The story grew from there.

Faith: Do you have writer's block and if so how do you deal with it?

Kathy: The only time I get writer's block, is actually when I am writing a WIP, and I just don't have part of the story right. I've made the character do something not true to his or her character. Or I've got something in the plot that doesn't work. That will slow me down. And I can get stuck there. My other block is just getting my butt in my chair to write. I am a terrible procrastinator. Terrible.

Faith: What is the most memorable thing you will remember about your writing career to date?

Kathy: Definitely that call from Kate Duffy saying she wanted three unwritten books. That's a writer's dream. And scary as heck too.

Faith: Your paranormal books are awesome, please tell us what prompted your unique heroes.

Kathy: Thank you. The brothers came to me first in this series. I knew that Rhys, the oldest brother, was going to be serious, angst and guilt-ridden. The typical brooding vampire--except I didn't want him to be typical. So Kate Duffy actually suggested amnesia as a way to make him very different from other vampires. A vampire who has no idea he's a vampire. I loved it. Christian was always the evil brother--but I wanted him to get his soul back at the end of Fangs For The Memories. So in his book, Fangs But No Fangs, he's trying to atone for his past sins. So of course, he moves to a trailer park in West Virginia, uses the twelve steps of AA to control his blood cravings, and blogs about it. And with Sebastian, the youngest brother (and my favorite) I wanted to write a vampire who really just digs being a vampire. Which he does. No vampire guilt and angst for this brother.

Faith: If you could change one thing about your writing what would it be?

Kathy: I'd like to be better at writing action. And that is something I'm working on. I'd also like to give myself more time with a book. Since I am such a procrastinator, I sometimes don't get the time with a story that I think I should. I'm really trying to improve that.

Faith: What is the most irritating thing you find in writing?

Kathy: Actually sitting down and typing the words. I love thinking about the characters and the plot. I love all the stuff in my head--then I have to get those thoughts onto paper. That's were the pain starts.

Faith: What ticks you off the most about flaws in a book?

Kathy: Inconsistency in a character. I really hate when I'm totally buying and loving a character and they go and do something I just know they wouldn't. That's when I lose interest in the story.

Faith: Any tidbits of wisdom for wanna-be pubbed authors?

Kathy: Submit! My story should tell you that the best way to get published is to get your work in front of that editor who gets your voice and style. And you can't do that if no one sees it.

Faith: Anything you would like to say to your readers?

Kathy: Thank you for all being such fans of romance. I love this genre and hope to write in it for years to come. I also appreciate all the people who have taken time to contact me and tell me what you think of my books. It means so much.

Faith: Also, what can we expect from your next book and when will it be on the market?

Kathy: Sebastian's book, I Only Have Fangs For You, will be out in December 2006. I'm very excited to see him hit the shelves. And then, my first werewolf book, which is untitled at the moment will be out in July 2007.

Faith: Kathy, thank you for doing this interview. Much success with all your previous and new books.

Kathy: Thank you so much for this lovely interview, and I hope you are all having a wonderful summer filled with tons of great reads!

2006's Honorary List