Welcome to Karen Kelley's guest blog

Welcome Ms. Kelley to Love Romances and More, thank you for joining us.
How long have you been writing?

I began to seriously pursue a career in writing around 1993.

Did you always want to become a writer?

No, but I think I wanted to be everything in-between. I decided I would never make a living doing crafts. Decorating one T-shirt was kind of fun, but daunting when I thought about all the others I would have to finish. I enjoy drawing, and have dabbled with painting, but again, I was only mediocre. Then I found romance books and I was hooked.

What inspired you to write in the first place? Does the same thing inspire all of your stories?

For me it was more of a need to get the story down on paper rather than one particular incident. It begins with an idea that comes from anywhere and the excitement grows from there.

What influenced you to get published? How long did it take you to get your first book published?

I think a need to prove myself, that I could do this. It was around six years before I sold my first book.

What is the most, and the least interesting fact about writing?

The most interesting is the beginning of an idea and watching it grow from there. The least interesting---copy edits. By the time I finish them I’m ready for the book to go bye-bye because I want to get back to my current project.

How did you celebrate your first release? What was it like to see your book in a bookstore?

My husband and I went out to a very nice restaurant and toasted the release.
Seeing it in the bookstore made it all real for me. I had done it.

Often a writer’s first book is the toughest to write. Was this true for you? If so, what helped you get through it?

Definitely---and it’s still under my bed---where it will stay. My first book that sold was probably the easiest because I’d finally had enough and said, “Oh, to hell with it, I’m just going to write what I want to write.” Hilary Sares bought it three days after I mailed it off.

Do you usually outline your stories before you write them, or do you "go with the flow"?

Not when I first started, but I find I don’t get stuck nearly as often if I do a fairly detailed synopsis, but not so much that it’s chapter by chapter.

What does your writing day look like?

Chaos. I’m not that organized and my mind tends to drift. I can get hang-up on YouTube, or e-mails, or Bejeweled & Scrabble Blast---I’m shameful!

How do you handle family and your writing career? Is your family understanding of the time that you have to give your career? Is it sometimes difficult for you?

I tell them I’m at work and to go away. LOL The kids are grown. Karl is only too happy to go fishing or play golf if he isn’t at work. My family have always been supportive---even when the kids were young. I’ve been blessed.

How did they react to fact that you also write some steamier novels? Has your Mom read one of your books?

My mother loved romance. She wouldn’t have minded the steam. Raised an eyebrow, but I think she would’ve been okay with it. My husband and kids don’t mind that I write steamy. They’re proud of me.

Most authors are also avid readers. Is this the case with you? If so, who are some of your favorites? Have any influenced your writing?

Sharon Sala---I glom her books. She is the absolute best at characterization. Gena Showalter is just fabulous, Rosemary Rodgers, Lori Foster, wow, way too many to list.

Your characters come to life in your books. Do you feel each of your characters live with you as you write? Do their lives sometimes take over a part of your life? Can you name an example? Do you have living role models for your characters?

Oh, yes, I always see my characters as being real people with real problems. Because I think of them as real people I don’t think they could ever really take over my life, although that would make a good book LOL. My husband, Karl, has always been a part of every hero I write. He’s the love of my life.

You write Romantic Suspense and Sci-Fi romances, which genre do you like better?

Sci-fi, anything paranormal. I love the unusual.

You have a wonderful wicked sense of humor? Where does it come from?

Ahhh, thanks! Beats the hell out of me. Karl says I sit in front of the computer all day telling myself jokes I’ve never heard before. I think he might be right.

Where do you get the inspirations for your books?

Everywhere. The paper, TV, people---definitely people in the mall. Really strange people go to the mall---wait, if I’m there, what does that make me---Oh, yeah, a writer.

Do you find it difficult at times to write love/sex scenes?

No, I just eat a chocolate bar. I mean, think about it for a second. Close your eyes and pretend you’re eating a Three Musketeer. No, wait a minute. That might not be the image I meant. Think about a Hershey chocolate bar. See?

Have you ever suffered from "writer’s block"? If so, what did you do to get out if it?

I’ve suffered from procrastination and lazyitis. I got over it by looking through the bills. Great incentive!

How do you handle the deadline hell?

Work my ass off.

Did you ever expect your books to become so popular? Why do you think your books are in such demand?

I’m popular? Cool! No one told me. LOL I’m not sure I’m in demand, but if people like comedy that’s hot and sexy I hope they’ll try one of my books.


What is your favourite book from the books that you have written so far? Who are your favourite hero and heroine, and why?

My fav book is Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind. I’ve always loved books that are a little different, and of course, comedy. With this book, I let loose with the comedy and it seems to have worked.

Which book was the hardest to write and which the easiest?

Hardest? That would be Southern Comfort. It’s more of a romantic suspense. I dug deep inside myself and brought out things that were difficult to face at times.
The comedies. I can write for the pure fun of writing.

If you could change places with one character from your books, who would it be and why?

Selena James from Double Dating With The Dead. She’s psychic and I think that’s cool.

Do you have plans to give another genre a try, like Historical or Paranormal, in the near future?

I’d love to break into Young Adult. I’m a kid at heart, what can I say.

If you could travel through time to visit a special time period or famous person, what or who would it be and why?

I’d want to go into the future, rather than the past. I’d love to see what new things are invented, what is the world like? But, as far as people, I think I’d like to meet Joan of Arc.

Do you listen to music while you are writing and if so what music is it?
It depends on what mood I’m in or what scene I’m writing, but mostly Enya.

If you could choose one of your books for a movie, which one would it be and who would you choose as the cast?
Double Dating With The Dead, Brad Pitt and Angelina Joline. I think they do comedy so well together.


Congratulations on your newest release in July 2008, The Bad Boys Guide to the Galaxy. It’s a wonderful and captivating story. What inspired you to write this book?

I love the fish out of water stories. Lara doesn’t want to be on Earth, but to save one of the leaders, she’ll risk her life. She just can’t understand why Sam doesn’t see that she’s superior. LOL The conflict in this one was so much fun to write.

The Bad Boys Guide to the Galaxy is part of your fantastic Alien series, do you have more books for this series planned or do you want to write single titles next?

There will be one more Planet Nerak book out next year. I think connected books work well for me and I enjoy writing them.


Are you working on anything right now, and can you tell us a teaser about these projects?

I have some more proposals with my editor that has a….different take on aliens. They’re very sexy men, and of course the comedy will be there, too.


Any final advice to aspiring authors?

Write every day. The more you write, the better you will get. Read. The best teachers are between the cover of a book.


Do you have anything to add?

I’m Your Santa was reissued in mass market this October. My next book, My Favorite Phantom, will be out early January. It’s about a ghost hunter who’s afraid of ghosts.


Thank you for spending time with us at Love Romances and More.

Thank you so much for having me!
Karen Kelley


Reviews of Ms. Kelley's books:

Bad Boys guide to the galaxy

Close encounters of the sexy kind

Double dating with the dead

I'm your Santa

My favorite phantom


Contest:

Two lucky readers, who leave a comment will receive a copy of Karen Kelley's newest release My favorite Phantom. So stop by and say hello or leave a question for Karen. The winners will be announced tomorrow morning