Today I have a very special guest for my Author Spotlight. Kenra Daniels is a pre-published author who has inspired me with her energy and drive. I look forward to watching her career take off and flourish.
So get your coffee or tea and curl up next to your computer and meet the next up and coming author who no doubt will be on your TBR list.
Do you do anything to get you into the zone to write? I always see authors talking about what they do to get in the zone, but all I need is my laptop (or a pen and paper, even a napkin will do. :0) ). I write in the car while hubby drives, in the midst of my 3 toddler/preschool grandsons playing. I just open a document and start writing.
What made you want to write was there some pivotal point that brought this about? I've always been a writer. As a very young child, I would dictate "stories" to my mother, then illustrate them. If she was too busy to write them down for me, I would fill line after line, page after page, of her letter tablet with this cramped little scribbling. When adulthood hit, being a wife and mother, and career, took precedence over writing fiction, but I continued to dabble. Several years ago, chronic health problems put an end to my career, and after a time, I turned back to writing.
What is your favorite book, character and why? I love all of JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Choosing a favorite from it is impossible for me. Her style of writing just pulls me straight into her world. Vishous is my favorite of her characters. He's so complex and multi-faceted. Every time I read one of the books he's in, I learn something else about him.
Do you prefer to write erotic or sweet? Erotic. I simply can't do sweet. When my Hero and Heroine get together, the sparks start flying.
Which famous person, living or dead, are you drawn to? Hmmm. That's a tough one. I don't do the celebrity thing – couldn't care less who they're screwing, LOL. It would definitely be an historical figure, but at the moment, I'm drawing a blank.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Still writing, multi-published with a New York publisher, and earning a decent income.
Finish this sentence: I know I’ve made it when_______________? Readers enjoy my books enough to recommend them to others, and look forward to my next book.
What advice about writing has made the most impact on you? Write every single day, whether you feel like or not, whether you're inspired or not. Set a reasonable daily word count goal, and don't stop for the day until you hit it. Push to make that first draft as clean as possible the first time around. Read at least as much as you write.
Do you make a yearly goal to meet if so what are they? This is the first year I've really put writing goals in writing. I want to finish up my revisions of Blood Dragon and find a publisher for it. I want to finish the first draft and edits of Blood Dragon II and with the publisher. I want to rewrite the first two weredragon stories I wrote and get them out there. I'm developing a brand new paranormal creature, unlike anything you've ever read – I want it finished and the first draft of its first story completed. I have some short stories I want to clean up and self-publish. I know there are others, but those are the big ones.
If you could have one superpower what would it be and why? Super speed. I'd get all the housework done, and write as fast as I think of the stories. I've realized that, at 44, when a 2 year-old, and a 3 year-old head in different directions, I better get to the one headed for the biggest trouble first. With super speed, I could catch them both and still manage to do whatever the 8 month old is demanding.
What time of the day are you at your best to write? Late night. From 10pm until 2am, I'm more focused and productive, and more likely to have fewer interruptions.
And now for something completely different…
What do you look at first with an attractive man or woman, face, body or smile? It depends on the situation, but generally, I'll pay attention to a man's eyes and smile first.
Explain your perfect day. I'd start by having a leisurely cup of coffee with hubby. I wouldn't have to do any housework, so I'd read for a couple of hours, then spend the bulk of the day writing.
What is the most decadent desert you can’t say no to? Chocolate cheesecake from a small family-owned local grocery.
What words best describe you. Creative, quiet, hard-working, honest, dedicated, determined… That's all I can think of at the moment, LOL.
My blog: http://kenradaniels.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/kenra_daniels
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kenradaniels
As Kenra's crit partner and friend, I'm SUPER excited about her NEW Paranormal BEING! And I know readers are going to love!
ReplyDeleteKenra is one of the best 3rd close Writers I've ever read and as an intimate first person Writer myself, I'm not only partial to the intimacy of first person, but sensitive to it in other writing, especially 3rd person writing. And I always say, when I attempt the 3rd close pov, I'm using her writing as my teacher. She's one of the FEW Writers that manages to make me feel like I'm reading first person writing in THIRD, which I find totally amazing!
So, BLOOD DRAGON, get that HOT dragon man on the shelfs Kenra, I love reading him, I love how you make him so human and when he turns into a dragon it always makes me go OH WOW, HOLY SHIT! And I think that takes TALENT to get that kind of reaction from your own crit partner that KNOWS the man is a dragon! LOL.
And I LOVE the hot sex between Dragon and Vampire! And I love how you keep them real enough to be able to connect on a human level with them. I'm truly privileged and honored to have you as a partner, keep up the good work.
Thanks so much, Azure! I'm blown away by such compliments from you, because I know they aren't given lightly.
ReplyDeleteLove ya, Girl!