Interview with Author Kristen McKanagh
Author of Snowball's Christmas
Publish date: September 29, 2020 by Kensington Publishing Corp.
Thank you so much Kensington Publishing Corp. for this amazing opportunity. I am so glad I could interview Kristen and learn so much about her. I hope you will love it as much as I did. Let’s get started!
Q: How old were you when you realized that you want to be an author?
I started writing around the age of eight. I remember winning a school writing contest when I was ten and thinking, yup, this is it for me. But I let mean girls in high school shame me into stopping for a long time, and “common sense” lead me to a different college degree. I finally took it back up seriously after my first kiddo was born in my thirties.
Q: How do you get the inspiration for writing new stories?
I find the more stories I write, the more inspiration I have. Each story is different. Some are driven by characters I can see in my head, some by a world. Snowball’s Christmas was entirely the cat to start with. Wondering what fun I could have with a matchmaking kitten.
Q: How do you plan and research for your books?
It depends on the research and the book. For contemporary romance books I tend to do a ton of research on things like locations. I find travel blogs are great for that because of the sensory details and personal stories. I’m also a very visual person. So if I can find how to videos or the like, I use those a lot. I do prefer to try to use settings I’ve experienced myself. For example, there was a Victorian B&B in the town where I grew up. I served there sometimes, and went to a wedding there, and had one of my own wedding showers there. That became the basis for the house in Snowball’s Christmas. So it’s a combination. I would LOVE to travel more for my books.
Q: Who is your favorite character in this book? Is there a character who is similar to you in some way?
Snowball of course! I tried to base her off my kids. Especially my daughter who is my youngest to help with that voice. She and I would have fun coming up with funny things for Snowball to do in the book together. I also grew up with a cat, so I love the fluffballs, even if I’m a dog person now. 😊
Q: If you could meet your characters in person, what would you say to each one of them?
You know it’s funny, but they are so much in my head that to me my characters are almost real. Almost always they are people I would want to be friends with. Sometimes even my story bad guys. So I think I’d start there. “Let’s be friends.”
Q: Can you explain your writing process in detail? Do you finish an entire draft first and then start editing or the editing process starts even before the draft finishes?
I am a plantser. I plot some major points so I know where the story is going and when it needs to get there. Then I let the characters tell me how. I tend to write a first draft in one long shot at it, but after I’m at least 4 chapters in, at the end of writing each day I go back and edit one chapter. That way, when I finish the first draft I only need to read through the last 4-6 chapters to finish the second draft. I take notes as I go about any major points I want to change or add on the next pass through. I give myself another 2-3 weeks to really perfect and then it’s off to the editor.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Don’t wait for praise, but do seek feedback from people you trust and use it. Don’t stop after the first try. Do keep writing, and writing, and writing. Don’t wait for that “perfect” idea before you start. Do take classes and workshops. Don’t assume someone else can tell you how to write – incorporate what works for you. Don’t think there’s only one way to do this. Do research editors/agents you’re querying. Do spend money on a good editor/beta reader. Do help other authors out – this is a great community of supportive folks!
Q: Can you list some of your favorite authors and books at the moment?
I read fast and just about every genre. In the romance space I’ve been loving: Vanessa Riley, Lucy Parker, Lara Temple, Pricilla Oliveras, Lara Temple, Jennifer Beckstrand, Rebecca Zanetti, Lucy Monroe, Naima Simone, Marina Adair, Tash Skilton, Kait Ballenger, and so many more!
Q: During COVID-19, when we all are dealing with this new normal, what brings joy to you and what are you doing to relax yourself?
I’m still working on that. The change to me personally didn’t feel all that big. I already work from home. But it wasn’t until the last month or so that I realized how stressed I’d become. I’m trying to do less on weekends. Travel and movies and books are usually my outlet. Travel is mostly out at the moment, so I’m relying on the movies and books. And lots of long walks now that the weather is finally cooler!
Q: What advice will you give to your younger self?
Don’t let anyone else tell me who I am, what I love, and what “cool” looks like. I would have been an author a decade or more sooner if I hadn’t listened to those kids in school.
Q: What do you like to do apart from writing?
Reading of course! I’m a huge movie buff. And trivia. I like to travel to all sorts of places, and am thinking of learning Spanish. 😊
Q: Do you want to give any message for your readers?
In a world that just seems to keep taking hits at us, what could be more important than messages of hope and love. Read romance, because that is where you find those messages!
Thank you so much for your time and this opportunity. I wish you luck for all your future projects and ventures.
Thank you so much for having me and for enjoying Snowball’s Christmas!!!
Book Synopsis (Goodreads):
Snowball--an aptly named bundle of feline fluff--is thankful to be spending her first Christmas in the comfort of Weber Haus, the Victorian B&B run by Miss Tilly. Emily Diemer, who cooks for the guests, dotes on Snowball, but she's not thrilled about another new arrival at the B&B: Miss Tilly's nephew, Lukas. Which is odd, because Snowball's animal instincts tell her that Lukas and Emily should definitely be friends.
Everything Emily needs is in this quaint community--including, she hopes, the chance to open her own bakery one day. She doesn't think much of Lukas for leaving his aging aunt to struggle while he jets around the world taking photographs. But now that he's here, helping to spruce up the property and getting mixed up in Snowball's antics, she begins to soften a little. Until she learns what he has planned . . .
Lukas is going to sell Weber Haus so that Miss Tilly can retire. But Snowball is certain that this B&B, and these people, are supposed to be her forever home. Somehow she has to get these stubborn humans to see things through the wisdom of a cat's eye and a kitten's loyal, loving heart . . .
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