Here is an interview done by Deanna from Lovely Ladies Book Blog with the Author of Ruined by You (plus more): Kelly Harper
Author Spotlight Week #1! Kelly Harper!!!
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m 31, living in Houston, TX. I have an undergraduate and master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Arizona, and worked in accounting for quite a few years after graduating. I think having an accounting and financial background affords me an interesting perspective that many authors don’t have. At least, it gives me a little more comfort with some of the financial aspects of the business.
2. What do you do when you are not writing?
Watching Netflix, hanging out at a coffee shop, reading, hanging out with family (my family is gigantic!). Mostly, I’m writing, or thinking about writing, though .
3. When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
Well, I’ve always written. I remember jotting out little book outlines when I was in middle school, and I’ve kept a series of journals going ever since I was 19, after finishing my first year of college. I finished the first draft of my first (still unpublished) novel back in July 2012. I finished my first (published) novel in early March (Betrayed).
4. How did you choose the genre you write in?
I love all sorts of good stories, regardless of genre. I like romance, fantasy, sci/fi, mysteries, thrillers, horrors, etc, etc. I chose romance because of the loyal fan base, and the steep competition. If a writer can make it in the romance genre, they can rest assured that they’re doing something right. There are so many good romance writers out there that it’s hard to get noticed. You have to have a thick skin, and a willingness to get to work!
5. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
The first thriller I ever read was Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. It blew my mind that a book could read like a fast-paced movie. Fell in love with it because it was so different than the stuff I was reading in college (I very nearly minored in English, and took an assortment of literature classes).
6. Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?
I fell in love with both Ruined By You, and Saved By You. The beauty of self-publishing is that I can make sure everything I write gets published–I just hope everyone likes the stuff I publish as much as I do .
7. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Ruined By You and Saved By You are heavily influenced by my own real life. I won’t go into details or spoilers (since Saved By You still has only been out for a couple weeks!), but most anything having to deal with the main character’s mom was taken from my own personal experiences. I actually added “Inspired by true events” to Saved By You, because a number of the scenes were taken from my own life’s experiences.
8. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
My take on criticism is an interesting one. I’ve yet to have a criticism handed to me that I hadn’t considered already. I tend to be much harder on myself than anyone else seems to be .
Compliments? Since publishing Ruined & Saved I’ve received almost daily messages from people telling me how much my books have touched their lives. Each and every one of them has left me speechless. I’m infinitely appreciative of people who go out of their way to share how my work has affected them.
(Thank you, again, to all of you who send me these messages).
9. Can you tell us anything about any upcoming books?
I’m working on a miniseries right now, along with another full novel. The novel is titled “Almost Gone”, and follows an interesting character, Jinx, through the streets of New York. The miniseries is still a bit secretive until I figure out the particulars. I’m a plotter by nature, and I like to have my ducks in a row before I divulge too many details.
Suffice it to say that… if you enjoyed the characters from Ruined and Saved By You… you’re in for a treat
10. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Join a writing community (don’t know where? — check this one out!). Aside from that, the most important thing you can do is write. Then write some more. Then write some more. Then write some more…
Let me say it again.
TO BE A WRITER YOU NEED TO WRITE AND KEEP ON WRITING!
People fall in love with their little darlings once they get finished with them, not realizing that it’s probably in their best interest to NOT publish their first book, but to go on and write a second or a third first. After that, they can look into getting everything cleaned up and published.
In short, though, don’t stop writing.
Thanks, Kelly!
– Deanna (Lovely Ladies Book Blog)
https://www.facebook.com/LovelyLadiesBookBlog
Sites for Kelly Harper:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6165610.Kelly_Harper?from_search=true
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Harper-Books/187867428023325
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Harper/e/B008S1UVSE/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1382144115&sr=1-2-ent
Sinful Reviews 