Please Welcome Author...Kenzie Michaels!!

Thank you for taking the time to interview with us. Kenzie’s first release is All She Ever Wanted, which arrives Tuesday, May 19th. Her books can be found at www.freyasbower.com and www.mollydaniels.com

1. When/how did you know you wanted to write?

Kenzie: My imagination was ‘unlocked’ at age eleven, when a student teacher in my 5th grade class introduced us to the concept of listening to an instrumental song and writing down whatever happened to pop into our heads. My dad had just taken me to see Logan’s Run, and so what ended up on my paper was my first attempt at a sci-fi story. Not pretty!

My first attempt at something longer than two pages occurred in the ninth grade. I decided to write my own ending to Star Wars. Forget the fact Darth Vader had dropped a bombshell on Luke; I focused on getting Han and Leia back together! Again, proof I should stay away from sci-fi and stick to romance!

2. How long did it take you to become published?

Kenzie: I started communicating with a group of Indiana authors, who led me to a much larger group of e-book authors, in 2007. I was intrigued by the erotic romance genre; read many of these ladies’ books, and began writing my own stories. Last July, I wrote a short story for an Ellora’s Cave anthology submission, but it was rejected. Instead of being depressed by the rejection, I turned around and sent it off to Freya’s Bower, who three weeks later offered me a conditional contract; the editor felt the plot was rushed, and wanted the story expanded. I added a few more chapters and at the end of January was offered the contract. Now, four short months later, it’s being released! So actually it took less than a year, which is rare.

3. Who are some of your favorite authors?

Kenzie: I’m an eclectic reader. My favorite print authors vary from Nora Roberts, Lavryl Spencer, Michael Palmer, James Patterson, and Marion Keys. Right now my favorite e-book authors are Anny Cook, Kelly Kirch, Barbara Huffert, Dakota Rebel, Bronwyn Green, Brynn Paulin, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape. And my TBB (to be bought) list is back under control at two pages.

4. Many authors are doing strictly e-books, do you think this is just a trend, or does it spell the end of real books?

Kenzie: E-books are real books. They are simply read electronically, via either a hand-held device or on the computer screen. And some e-books are now being offered in print. So no, I don’t think it’s simply a trend. E-books are cheaper, and with today’s economy, easier on the wallet, LOL! Also, the publishing time is faster, and with things going ‘Green’ right now, e-books are very environmentally friendly. They take up space on your hard drive, not your bookshelves. Kids won’t have to carry heavy backpacks; they’ll simply carry a flash drive to school.

5. How long does it take for you to write books?

Kenzie: This may seem weird, but I wrote most of All She Ever Wanted over the July 4th weekend. It just so happened the words were flowing, and I had uninterrupted work time:) Two other wips each took a month to write, and I have six other wips which have stalled on the second chapter. So who knows when my muse will return? I just hope it is soon!

6. Do you see yourself writing in the same genre in 10 years? If not then what?

Kenzie: Funny you should ask that. I had a character jump into my head about a month ago, demanding I write down what he was saying. I didn’t know what to do with it after I was finished, so I sent it to a friend of mine, who passed it to a friend of his, who them emailed me, saying he totally saw zombies in the next scene! I wrote him back, saying ‘You want zombies? YOU write it!’ And so it’s become a collaboration between the three of us. If this one gets published, I may end up a horror writer on top of erotic romance!

But I love contemporary romance, so yeah, I’ll stick with it. Even if some of what I’m writing ends up with my alter-ego as Women’s Fiction.

7. What advice do you give to those who are just starting out or trying to become published?

Kenzie: Keep writing; never give up on your dream. And ask for help…get online; find a writer’s group and ask questions! And don’t get discouraged if things start out rocky. Just keep trying; your time will come

8. Where do your story ideas come from? Do you use people you know as characters sometimes or even sometimes a certain event from real life happenings?

Kenzie: A lot of my stories are pulled from real life ‘What If’ instances. Teacher’s Pet, which was my NaNo project last year, came about because of my children’s school hiring the most handsome man…and my son had him for Social Studies. I went into the parent-teacher conference praying I was sounding like an adult, rather than a schoolgirl with a huge crush. My other ideas have popped into my head while out shopping and overheard part of a conversation; at the amusement park; or simply brainstorming with my critique group. All She Ever Wanted, Off The Clock, and Appetite For Desire were all formed while cooking different meals. Maybe I just need to get myself back in front of the stove, ha ha?

The book Wild at Heart came about because of a news item on the radio. I was driving to visit my MIL and a blurb came on about prisoners being rehabilitated. Next thing I know, I have a character in my head, telling me what he had done and how he planned to turn his life around! He yelled at me for two weeks until I could finally sit down and write it!

9. When and where can we purchase your books?

Kenzie: Here’s the preview link:
http://www.freyasbower.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=208

It will be released next Tuesday, May 19th at Freya’s Bower.

Thanks for having me, Gracen, and for giving up your normal blogging day!