BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR KATHYE QUICK

Kathryn Quick AKA Kathye Quick AKA P.K. Eden (with writing partner Patt Mihailoff) writes contemporary and historical romance, urban fantasy, and non-fiction. Today she sits down with us for an interview. Learn more about her and her books at her website.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

I decided to try my hand at writing after I had my twins. I had been reading a lot of romances, and wanted to do a story in one of my favorite time periods – ancient Greece. Being of partially Greek descent, I had always been fascinated by the gods and goddesses. But, that whim, coming in the late 1990’s, no one wanted a story set in that era, and it was rejected (many times.) I guess I was way ahead of the curve because nothing is taboo now.

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?

I was a ten-year overnight success – LOL

Like Jon Snow, I knew nothing and did a whole bunch of things wrong until I met romance writer Barbara Bretton in a bank line in my hometown. It was a very long line, so we began talking and she pointed me in the direction of a writers’ group in New Jersey. I soon learned just how MUCH I was doing wrong. So I listened, honed my writing and eventually got published in 1999. It’s been a wonderful journey since then.

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

All of the above. I actually was first published as a digital author on CD back when digital publishing was still in its infancy. Most of the traditionally published authors laughed at this type of publishing, and some even said, and I quote, “I guess you aren’t good enough for a real book.” But look where e-publishing is now.

Where do you write?

I write at work during my lunch hour and at home in the evening. But I have to admit, I am the slowest writer in the universe due to a very high-powered day job, which I plan to retire from in about 3 years.

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?

I actually prefer to write with the TV on. Silence makes me antsy, and with music, I have to sing along.

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

About half of my plots come from situations I see in real life. The other half comes from songs, movies, dreams, and the “what ifs.”

Describe your process for naming your character?

In one word – painful. I agonize over names for weeks before I settle on something. When I finally put the right first name and surname together, it just sounds right.

Real settings or fictional towns?

Both. A lot of readers tell me they like passing by some of the places I have selected to set a few of the sweet romances I write. But sometimes, you need a fictional place so you can do with the plot what you need to do.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?

If any of my characters had one, I can’t think of it right now! Remind me to write one into my next story. Could be fun.

What’s your quirkiest quirk?

I HAVE to put things back where they belong. Drives my family crazy. Forks go with forks, spoons go with spoons, the dirty dishes go in the dishwasher not the sink, T-shirts go in the T-shirt drawer, not in the drawer with the jeans, and so on. I know, I’m a hot mess.

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?

Any of the Game of Thrones book by George R. R. Martin. I love that time period, and ladies, I would NOT have killed off Jon Snow, preferring to save him for myself.

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?

Agreeing to let on e-book publisher put out one of my medieval romances. The editor and I were so incompatible that I was asked to never submit there again. No problem with that. I had already vowed not to! But seriously, the parting of the ways worked out best for both of us.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

This is going to sound extremely selfish, and while I really enjoy celebrating when good things happened to good people, I get really annoyed when horribly written, badly plotted, self-published books get to be bestsellers with multiple movie offers. There are so many good writers out there who deserve that kind of success. (Not exactly talking about me here, but I wouldn’t mind!)

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

Three must-haves in order of importance:

Kit Harrington (Mama didn’t raise any dummies!)

Sunblock (see ocean or mountains question)

A few good romance books (Kit and I can act out the good parts)

What was the worst job you’ve ever held?

I cleaned offices for a while. Never again. The drafters used to just brush the eraser shavings onto the floor under the drafting tables. It was a mess to clean. To this day I get nauseous at the smell of an eraser.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

I could read The Mists of Avalon over and over

Ocean or mountains?

Mountains. My skin isn’t white, it is clear. There is no tanning in my family. Mostly my skin goes from red-white-red-white-red etc. I could be an emergency beacon when I’m in the sun too long.

City girl/guy or country girl/guy?

City. Always something to do there.

What’s on the horizon for you?

I need to finish writing the next two books in my Bachelors Three Series and then try to get someone interested in the urban fantasy Patt Mihailoff and I have been trying to finish writing for the past two years. We think it might be “the one.” Now if only we can get someone else to think so, too!

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?

Someday I will actually finish Book Three in my Brother Knights series. The stories take place in a post-Arthur Camelot. I left the hero and heroine of Book Three alone in a hay loft, so I am sure they don’t mind very much.

I have always loved Camelot and wondered what might have happened if Camelot lived on after Arthur. Book One, Cynthia and Constantine, tells the tale of how Constantine became king. Book Two, Braeden and Jannne, weaves a tale of revenge on new Camelot by the sons of Mordred, and Book Three, Raynor, the Warlord’s Honor, will redeem the bastard son of Mordred in the final tale in the series. I am hoping to box these as a set for lovers of Camelot and historical romance.

Bachelor.com Book 1 in the Bachelor’s Three series

Jack Reeves has loved Kinley Adams since the day he rescued her computer from a fatal blue screen. In the two years since, the computer programmer has fantasized about a life with her. Kinley, an Engineering Assistant, has come to think of Jack as more than just a friend. One night, just when each had finally decided to reveal their feelings are deeper than friendship, a terrible automobile accident puts their confessions on hold. Doctors have no choice but to rebuild Jack's face, and the result changes everything. Can Jack and Kinley overcome his transformation from geek to chic, a secret double life, and a horde of willing women who have discovered the new Jack Reeves? Will the frog ever become the prince and ride off with his princess to live happily ever after?

Buy Links

paperback 

ebook