Interview with Kara Fey:
Hello, Kara, and welcome to the grilling session of the Romance at Heart Magazine. There is nothing we love more than to learn about or favourite authors, and new ones that will become known among the ranks of our favourites. With that in mind, lets start dinning into who Kara Fey is, and what does she write, like, and what’s cooking in her wonderful imagination, so lets get started...
- Please tell us about your latest book.
My first release came out in September at www.changelingpress.com. HOUSE OF MOONS 1: THE SEEDING started off as a brainstorming game I play with my sister. She doesn’t write, but she is an amazing brainstorming partner. Thanks Rebecca! The idea was to take a strong woman, a strong man, throw in a little bit of magic & misunderstanding, and force them to learn to deal with each other. The world we built that day is fascinating. They’re at war…technology vs. magic, woman vs. man, lust vs. love. The heroine, Hana is second in line to the Queen of her people. She is forced to participate in a rival house’s Seeding Ritual as part of an uneasy truce between her sister the Queen, and their powerful enemies – The Daughters of Lore. But, during the ritual she unexpectedly begins to communicate with their captive. Her enemies plan to kill him. Drawn to him by destiny & magic she is helpless to fight against, she risks everything to save him. Only then does she discover that he’s a powerful sorcerer, and he’s not too happy with her, or her Anthean sisters. To say the least, sparks fly! Boy, oh boy, do sparks fly! I had so much fun with these two stubborn characters that I should probably be blushing.
- What can we expect from you in the future?
Oh, I’m going to amuse myself writing about the men and women of Anthea for the next few months, at least. I have a few other ideas brewing, but my main focus right now is this world. Magic. War. Lust. What else could I ask for? And, they’re on another world. I can take this society, these people, anywhere in the universe I want them to go! The possibilities are endless, and constantly spinning in my mind fighting for attention.
- How do we find out about you and your books?
My website is up, and user friendly! I also have an announcement loop on yahoo groups to alert subscribers to upcoming releases and other news. My website addy is www.karafey.com To join my loop, send a blank e-mail to karafeyauthorgroup-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Welcome! I’d love to have you!
- How may readers contact you?
E-mail me at Kara@karafey.com or through my author’s loop. I will do my best to personally answer every e-mail.
- What is your writing routine?
I am such a night owl; it’s not even funny. I don’t sit down at the computer until 10-11 at night. Then I work until 1-2 am. Getting up in the morning isn’t my favorite thing in the world. LOL. But with 3 small children, I don’t have much choice. Just because I’m awake, doesn’t mean the brain is functioning. I can’t form a coherent sentence until about noon. Well, unless I break down and have a cup of coffee. Then watch out! I bounce off the walls.
- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
Oh, no. I am a plotter in the extreme. I have a schedule, detailed outline, and finish date in mind before I write the first paragraph. I’m probably a freak among writers, but my muse WILL NOT cooperate if I just sit down and try to “wing it”. Once I sit down to write, I don’t get up until I have at least 1,000 words down. Sometimes the words flow, and other times it’s like pulling teeth. Either way, I don’t get up until I hit that mark. That’s how I avoid writer’s block. I just keep writing. I’ve noticed that some of the work I’ve forced is also, ironically, some of my best. Go figure.
- What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?
Did I mention that I write in the dead of night??? Hee hee…
- Where do your ideas come from?
OMG, what a loaded question! I honestly don’t know. I think I just have an overactive imagination. My first movie memories are of Bambi and Star Wars. What a combination for a wee little girl’s formative years. I keep a dream journal of all the crazy stuff that my subconscious comes up with. And I daydream, a lot! Every person I see gets a little story. In fact, people watching is one of my all time favorite pastimes Fascinating, amazing, and unpredictable. They say that truth is stranger than fiction. If you pay attention, you’ll discover that it’s very true.
- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?
I already do! My other pen name is Michele Chambers. I write sci-fi thrillers, paranormal suspense, and have my first action/adventure romance out right now at www.loose-id.com TIMEWALKERS ONE: AISLING is about a woman with an incredible talent to make herself invisible. She is sent through time and space by the Archivers (a special division of angels) to save our world. To do that, she must convince one hot-blooded hunk to help her. As you can imagine, she’s out to kick some ass, take no prisoners, and seduce the hero! To say the least, she excels at all three!
- Fill in the blank favorites - Dessert.
Dessert. Is there anything in existence other than chocolate? Brownies, fudge, cake, candy…
City. Denver. But Seattle was a close second.
Season. Fall! Crisp, cool air. Gorgeous leaves. Heavenly.
Type of hero. Alpha, alpha, alpha!!!
Type of heroine. Smart, sassy, sexy, and not afraid to use all three qualities to her advantage!
- What do you think of critique groups in general?
I think critique groups are invaluable when you are first starting out. (As long as it’s a good one and you listen with an open mind to their suggestions) I was very lucky. We had a great group of writers who taught me a lot about the craft, and kept me going when I wasn’t sure I wanted to. Thanks ladies!
- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
For me, the world always comes first, the situation, the struggle. My characters are usually born from the fires of that creative process. Once I feel connected to the world, the characters practically stand up and introduce themselves.
- What are the elements of a great romance for you?
There has to be absolute, total conviction, total commitment, complete respect between lovers, and no doubts. I am an incurable romantic. Kismet, fate, destiny, etc… Whatever you want to label it, I’m a believer.
- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?
They try. I was writing a paranormal thriller with an extremely creepy villain. I actually started having nightmares about her. (Poor Stephen King! I don’t know how he lives inside his own head!) After a couple of nightmares I realized that I was this woman’s Creator. Her God. That’s the most fun element of writing. I am omnipotent and there’s nothing my poor characters can do to stop me. Once I really internalized that concept, the nightmares stopped. Thank goodness. Oh, and I killed her off at the end. LOL.
- Have you experienced writer's block---> If so, how did you work through it?
I just keep writing. Sit your rear-end in the chair and write anyway. That’s my only piece of advice. Oh, and I also have come to realize that if I get writer’s block, it’s usually because I don’t know one of my characters well enough. So, I sit down and do interviews & bios for them. That usually solves the problem.
- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
Hearing someone say they loved your story, that in some small way it affected their attitude or their life. That’s the end-all, be-all for me!
- If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?
I’d be gearing up for medical school.
- Any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
Keep writing. And don’t be afraid of the rejections, the harsh comments from contest judges. They’re just words on a page. It’s not your soul their commenting on! Read, critique, listen when other writers give suggestions, and just keep writing! It’s a learning process. I’ve still got a lot to learn. I hope I never stop!
Thank you again, Kara, for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented Imagination!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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