This week I’m hosting Christa Allan with Walking on Broken Glass and Kim Watters with On Wings of
Love. If you want to enter the drawing for the books, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (Feb. 7th) evening.
Interview with Kim Watters:
1. What made you start writing?
I’ve always been a reader and immersed myself so much in the characters lives, I became them. So when I started reading Harlequin Romances back in my teens, if I wasn’t satisfied with the ending, I’d rewrite it in my head. After all I was the heroine and it should end the way I wanted it. Granted the hero and heroine always got together, but it wasn’t how I would have written it. It only made sense that when I became an adult that I would start to write my own stories. When we bought our first computer and I discovered the local RWA chapter, I started making my dream come true.
2. How long have you been writing?
When did you sell your first book? I joined RWA in 1992 but at first I dabbled. I didn’t get serious until 2000, which coincided with the birth of my son. I look back now a cringe when I think of all the time I wasted playing computer solitaire instead of writing. I sold my first book, which was actually the third story I wrote, after meeting my future editor at an RWA National Conference. I then sold the second book I wrote soon after that. The first book I ever wrote I consider my practice run and it won’t ever see the light of day. I have pulled scenes from it to use in other stories but I won’t even consider trying to make it work in today’s market.
3. How do you handle rejections?
Well, I hate to admit it but I sulk for a few moments. Okay maybe a day or two. But I usually read the letter over several times trying to figure out the reason why. This last rejection on my proposal from Steeple Hill was actually kind of a relief because I struggled with the story a bit. Now that I think about it, I shudder to think how I could have handled writing the complete story if I’d actually received a contract.
4. Why do you write?
I write because it’s a part of me. I can’t not write. Besides, I’m not finished telling all the stories in my head.
5. What would you be doing with your free time if you weren’t writing?
Hmmm. Good question. I’d probably be caught up on sleep, my kids’ scrapbooks and photo albums would be up to date, my office wouldn’t be piled with paperwork and I’d definitely have more time doing crafts and reading.
6. What are you working on right now?
I’m working on another proposal for Steeple Hill. This one revolves around restoring an old Victorian mansion.
7. Do you put yourself into your books/characters?
Absolutely. As I said above, I’ve always done that. Sometimes I have to remember I’m not a nurse, or a vet, or a pilot.
8. Tell us about the book you have out right now.
‘On Wings of Love’ deals with the difficult subject of organ donation and is very near to my heart. My sister-in-law, who is a double recipient, was the inspiration for it. I think the blurb sums it up best.
Ruth Fontaine’s job is to deliver lifesaving organs to those urgently in need. But the gruff pilot of her charter plane has no kind words for her work. And then she discovers the heartbreaking reason why. Noah Barton lost his wife and young son. Grieving, he gave in to pressure to donate his child’s organs–a decision he regrets. He’s bitter against those who “take advantage” of people’s anguish. Yet he still flies her on her missions, with his beloved dog, Houston, as his copilot. Now Ruth will have to show Noah he has two other copilots: the Lord and her love.
9. Do you have any advice for other writers? Aside from don’t give up?
I’d say make sure you write what you love because these stories and characters are going to be with you a while. It’s not just the writing of the book, but the revisions, the edits, and the promotion.
10. How important is faith in your books?
Faith is very important in my books as it is in my life. God has put each one of us on this earth for a reason. I believe mine is to be able to share stories about love and faith. Even though my characters aren’t real, I believe they also help share the message because people can relate to them.
11. What themes do you like to write about?
Trust and Forgiveness seem to reoccur in my books because I think it’s something that I struggle with in my own personal life.
12. What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?
No fair. I like each of my books because they fulfilled an emotional need in me at the time of writing. This latest one though did a little bit more. ‘On Wings of Love’ deals with a very difficult and delicate subject of organ donation. I worked hard trying to dispel some myths about donation and show it in a positive light. If it wasn’t for the generosity of one wonderful donor family, my sister-in-law wouldn’t be able to live the life she has today.
13. What is your writing schedule like?
I wake up at 5:00 am almost every day. I go check e-mails etc, then it’s off to write or do revisions. My kids wake up at 7:00 and it’s a scramble to get them ready for school and on the bus. Then I head off to work where I’m lucky enough to be able to check e-mails etc. while I’m there. Nighttime is family time; the same goes for the weekends, which is why I still get up early. If I’m under deadline though, I write during the day on the weekends and try and find friends for the kids to go hang with or convince my husband to take them away for a few hours.
