Morning everyone, it's a beautiful cloudless sky down here in New Zealand today - well my part of it anyway, spring hopefully is finally here and the warm weather not far away. It sort of comes and goes a bit, so you're never sure whether to wear warm layers or not...
Now, onto the important stuff. I'm so excited to introduce this author. This is what book sellers are saying about her....
Liz Rozanski, Friends Again Bookstore, Mgr...:
...Kim is an exceptionally talented writer with keen insight and a deliciously wicked sense of humor. She is a teacher, mentor, sometime editor and critic, and the best friend an aspiring writer can have. She is more than willing to share her talents with others...
So without further ado...(drum roll !!) Kim, gidday, from downunder (that's kiwispeak for ya)...tell us a bit about you, something that will surprise us?
I am a huge fan of Minnesota Vikings football J yes, not Tennessee Titans, MV's and that is because I fell flat in love with Fran Tarkenton when I was a teenager, and YES that does tell a lot about my age. Can't help it, now I am a lifelong Viking.
Why do you write, what is it that makes you do it?
I write cozy mysteries with an edge. I don't have elderly, tea-sipping sleuths who own cats and crochet. My gal, is a fiery young woman who is about as naïve as they come. She learns a lot in the book Avenging Angel, and I promise my readers you WILL see growth in the end J
Who is your favorite character from one of your books, and why?
Oh, I have to say my fav is my sidekick character of Dwayne Brown. He is Shannon's alter-ego, and common sense in most cases, and resembles fairly well one of my best friends at my job.
If you could have dinner with six people, alive or dead (LOL), who would they be?
Six? Oh. Um. Abraham Lincoln, because he was a cool old dude, Bernie Mac because he was a great comedian, Christopher Reeve because I would love to tell him how he inspired me, my father because he was the only saint I ever knew, my mother because I want her to know that I got a book published like she wanted me to, and my ex-husband for just a few minutes to say how hard it was to tell him goodbye. Whew. That was a tough question.
Tell us a bit about your writing process.
Believe it or not, I don't have much of a process. I guess I developed a sort of process during Nanowrimo because it was important to get a certain number of words out, but I just sit down, read what I wrote last time, consider where I am going with it, and go to it. After I finish a book, I go through it and get rid of excess, and fill out the places that are lacking. Then I go back through and use a book I bought a few years ago on self-editing and try to adhere some of the rules to my writing. Once that is done, the story or book goes into a drawer for rest until I can face looking at it again. Then I want someone else to read it and crit it and give me a new vision for it, then it's off to edit again.
What is your current release? And how did this book come about.
My current book is due to be out in 2009 and is titled Avenging Angel, a Shannon Wallace mystery. I do not have cover art yet, but the artist and I are closing in on something that I think I will be over the moon about. This book came about originally when an idea occurred to me to write a story about a girl who goes to work for a man who wants to have a detective agency but couldn't get his license, so they do detecting under the radar. It was a good start, but the story went in a completely different direction once the characters came on screen. I don't know if it was a good thing or not, but I just held on the reins and they took over the buggy.
Santa's coming… what do you hope to get in your Christmas stocking?
This year I really want to give back. I get stuff all year long, and don't lack for much. I would love a Sony Reader, but it is not a show-stopper if I don't get it. I would like to do Operation Christmas Child this year, just to make someone else's Christmas a huge day.
How can readers find you?
Lol that is the easy stuff. http://www.mkimsmith.com, (website) http://www.mkimsmith.com/blog (blog) http://writingspace.blogspot.com (blog) http://murderby4.blogspot.com (group blog with three of the best suspense, thriller, mystery writers in the whole UNIVERSE!!!)
Blurb: Shannon Wallace is having a bad hair week. She's been ditched by her job, drunk as a skunk, dumped by her boyfriend and implicated in his murder. When their very private video collection turns up missing from the crime scene, Shannon has to find them before the cops do. But the killer has taken them, and he's watched them. Now she's at the top of HIS most wanted list!
REVIEWS
about Avenging Angel ...wonderful story, masterfully blending action, humor, and suspense ... from Ron Adams, author of KEY LIME SQUEEZE, LAKE EFFECT...
Avenging Angel, is a welcome addition to the cozy mystery genre. Full of hilarious situations and a mystery that will keep the reader guessing, the story takes place in a well drawn world peopled by characters brimming with authentic Southern charm. Smith's writing is down to earth, real and honest. Avenging Angel is as refreshing as a tall glass of icy sweet tea on a summer afternoon.
Thanks Kim for dropping by... I wanted to post Kim's cover, but she doesn't have cover art just yet...but go to her web site she has a really cool pictorial display, sort of an online collage of inspirational photos that represent her book.
Until next time.
Happy reading
Jane Beckenham
www.janebeckenham.com