Today I’m hosting Kimbra Kasch on Books, Chocolate and Wine. She’ll be telling us all about herself and her writing.
How did you
come up with the idea for
come up with the idea for
THE CATS OF CULLABY CREEK?
The title
came from a place on the Oregon coast. It is named after a creek that I was
always enchanted by: Cullaby Creek.
came from a place on the Oregon coast. It is named after a creek that I was
always enchanted by: Cullaby Creek.
How long did
it take you to write THE CATS OF CULLABY CREEK?
it take you to write THE CATS OF CULLABY CREEK?
It took me
about a year to write the story because I was working fulltime and had three
kids at home, who all played basketball and sang in their school choirs. So
between kids, life and responsibilities, it was difficult to find time to
write.
about a year to write the story because I was working fulltime and had three
kids at home, who all played basketball and sang in their school choirs. So
between kids, life and responsibilities, it was difficult to find time to
write.
What was it
about your book that made your editor want to buy it?
about your book that made your editor want to buy it?
I bet it was
the romance. Don’t we all like a little sweet love story?
the romance. Don’t we all like a little sweet love story?
What was the
most difficult aspect of writing THE CATS OF CULLABY CREEK?
most difficult aspect of writing THE CATS OF CULLABY CREEK?
See the
answer to two above, it was that ever elusive T.I.M.E. I had the worst time
etching out a little slice of that timing pie to write.
answer to two above, it was that ever elusive T.I.M.E. I had the worst time
etching out a little slice of that timing pie to write.
How much
research did you conduct for THE CATS OF CULLABY CREEK and what was the most
interesting thing you did while conducting your research?
research did you conduct for THE CATS OF CULLABY CREEK and what was the most
interesting thing you did while conducting your research?
Actually I
did a lot of research during this story and you might not even know it as you
read over the pages but it’s true. I researched what animals live in the area,
how they live with one another and a lot about water…
did a lot of research during this story and you might not even know it as you
read over the pages but it’s true. I researched what animals live in the area,
how they live with one another and a lot about water…
Why did you
decide to write romance?
decide to write romance?
I don’t think
I ever intended to write a romance…but like life, it just sort of happened.
I ever intended to write a romance…but like life, it just sort of happened.
What is your
process for writing a book? For example, are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you
start at page 1 and write your book sequentially or do you skip around? Do you
start with your characters or the plot?
process for writing a book? For example, are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you
start at page 1 and write your book sequentially or do you skip around? Do you
start with your characters or the plot?
I envy
plotters but I’ve never been that well organized. I just fly by the seat of my
pants, in writing and in life.
plotters but I’ve never been that well organized. I just fly by the seat of my
pants, in writing and in life.
Do you use
any techniques, tools, or aids to help you write?
any techniques, tools, or aids to help you write?
My secret
weapon when I write is my husband. I read passages out loud to him and he tells
me if they are boring, confusing, or well written. It’s usually a whole lot
more of the first two than the last one ;D
weapon when I write is my husband. I read passages out loud to him and he tells
me if they are boring, confusing, or well written. It’s usually a whole lot
more of the first two than the last one ;D
Do you write
multiple drafts or barely need revisions when typing, The End?
multiple drafts or barely need revisions when typing, The End?
I have a
revision addiction. It’s hard for me to see something as “finished”. Instead
for me, it’s more likely to seem to be a “beginning” even after the ending.
revision addiction. It’s hard for me to see something as “finished”. Instead
for me, it’s more likely to seem to be a “beginning” even after the ending.
How do you
make time to write?
make time to write?
I don’t. Instead I just give up sleeping ;D You’ll catch me
writing late into the night. I’ve been accused of being a vampire…
writing late into the night. I’ve been accused of being a vampire…
When you are
writing, who is in control? You or your characters?
writing, who is in control? You or your characters?
The
characters don’t just speak to me…they control me ;D Guess it’s a good thing I
had a B.S. in psychology.
characters don’t just speak to me…they control me ;D Guess it’s a good thing I
had a B.S. in psychology.
Who has had
the most influence on your writing?
the most influence on your writing?
Well, see the
answer to #8 above. My inspiration is my husband…and Stephen King ;D an odd
combination.
answer to #8 above. My inspiration is my husband…and Stephen King ;D an odd
combination.
Have you had
any “ah ha” moments as a writer?
any “ah ha” moments as a writer?
Many. I’ll be
writing and then think, “oh, that’s what they’ve been trying to tell me.”
writing and then think, “oh, that’s what they’ve been trying to tell me.”
What advice
do you have for other writers?
do you have for other writers?
“It’s better
to fail at doing something than to succeed at doing nothing.” So, “go after
your dreams and never give up.”
to fail at doing something than to succeed at doing nothing.” So, “go after
your dreams and never give up.”
Why did you
decide to become an author?
decide to become an author?
When my
oldest son went off to college, he told me, “Mom, you need to get a life.” And
he meant it in a good way. He was concerned that with my kids flying out of the
nest, I was going to molt and wither away. So, I had to think, “what did I like
to do, before I had kids?” Writing popped into my head, and running, sewing, knitting,
baking. . . I could go on and on—like I said, writing.
oldest son went off to college, he told me, “Mom, you need to get a life.” And
he meant it in a good way. He was concerned that with my kids flying out of the
nest, I was going to molt and wither away. So, I had to think, “what did I like
to do, before I had kids?” Writing popped into my head, and running, sewing, knitting,
baking. . . I could go on and on—like I said, writing.
Why did you
decide to become a romance author?
decide to become a romance author?
It just
happened. I never planned to write romance but I guess having been married to
the same man for over 30 years helps…
happened. I never planned to write romance but I guess having been married to
the same man for over 30 years helps…
Would you
tell us your story of getting “the call?”
tell us your story of getting “the call?”
Well, I got
an agent a long time before I sold a book. So, I think that “getting the
contract” was a bigger story – at least for me. I remember opening the email
and thinking “WHA…AA…AA…TTT?” I couldn’t believe it. But, there in my email was
a contract. I had to read it over…and over again until it really sunk in.
an agent a long time before I sold a book. So, I think that “getting the
contract” was a bigger story – at least for me. I remember opening the email
and thinking “WHA…AA…AA…TTT?” I couldn’t believe it. But, there in my email was
a contract. I had to read it over…and over again until it really sunk in.
What was the
most exciting thing that happened to you after you signed your contract –
besides receiving your first check as a published author?
most exciting thing that happened to you after you signed your contract –
besides receiving your first check as a published author?
Just being
able to tell my family that I “sold” a book. They always thought I just wrote
for fun, which I did. But, it was validation.
able to tell my family that I “sold” a book. They always thought I just wrote
for fun, which I did. But, it was validation.
If you
weren’t writing, what would you be doing?
weren’t writing, what would you be doing?
Baking,
sewing, knitting, running, crocheting, …crafting, I could go on and on. . .
sewing, knitting, running, crocheting, …crafting, I could go on and on. . .
How does your
family feel about your career as a romance writer?
family feel about your career as a romance writer?
They think
it’s cool that I’m a writer…I don’t think my kids would say that about the
romance part though but who knows…I guess I’ll have to ask them.
it’s cool that I’m a writer…I don’t think my kids would say that about the
romance part though but who knows…I guess I’ll have to ask them.
What books
can we expect to see in the near future?
can we expect to see in the near future?
I’m working
on a couple books now. . . so keep your eyes open and maybe you’ll see my name
on another cover very soon, at least I hope so ;D
on a couple books now. . . so keep your eyes open and maybe you’ll see my name
on another cover very soon, at least I hope so ;D
Love is
in the air, something else is in the water.
When Savannah meets Kyle, its love at first
sight. And why wouldn’t it be? He’s perfect, as far as she can tell. But when
she starts finding dead animals in her yard and hears something scratching at
her window at night, she starts to worry. What’s worse? Kyle appears whenever
things go wrong. Maybe he isn’t everything she thought he was – maybe he’s
something more. It’s a complete mystery until she discovers the water in
Cullaby Creek is being bottled and sold as vitamin “infused” water. Mistic
Water promises the impossible. And then, like a magical elixir, it
delivers. People who drink it feel younger, smarter, faster…healthier. But it
doesn’t take long before side effects hit. Everyone begins to change or “tate”.
Some are becoming dangerous animals. Literally. And the secret to what they are
tating into has to be in the water…or is it something more?
sight. And why wouldn’t it be? He’s perfect, as far as she can tell. But when
she starts finding dead animals in her yard and hears something scratching at
her window at night, she starts to worry. What’s worse? Kyle appears whenever
things go wrong. Maybe he isn’t everything she thought he was – maybe he’s
something more. It’s a complete mystery until she discovers the water in
Cullaby Creek is being bottled and sold as vitamin “infused” water. Mistic
Water promises the impossible. And then, like a magical elixir, it
delivers. People who drink it feel younger, smarter, faster…healthier. But it
doesn’t take long before side effects hit. Everyone begins to change or “tate”.
Some are becoming dangerous animals. Literally. And the secret to what they are
tating into has to be in the water…or is it something more?
Excerpt
– The Cats of Cullaby Creek
These two shared some
sort of history. And now I was in the middle of their story.
sort of history. And now I was in the middle of their story.
Sparks flew through
the air. But, they didn’t seem to notice—or maybe they just didn’t care how
uncomfortable they were making the rest of us.
the air. But, they didn’t seem to notice—or maybe they just didn’t care how
uncomfortable they were making the rest of us.
I scanned the room.
The terribly odd thing was that while they stood in the center of the cafeteria—arguing—everyone’s
eyes were on me.
The terribly odd thing was that while they stood in the center of the cafeteria—arguing—everyone’s
eyes were on me.
What is so interesting about me?
After a few seconds,
I heard whispered accusations slammed back and forth, like a ping-pong ball. My
name, muttered in odd and angry tones. No one seemed to mind staring at me, but
only the bravest few were sneaking sideways glances over at Kelly and Kyle,
hoping no one noticed.
I heard whispered accusations slammed back and forth, like a ping-pong ball. My
name, muttered in odd and angry tones. No one seemed to mind staring at me, but
only the bravest few were sneaking sideways glances over at Kelly and Kyle,
hoping no one noticed.
This wasn’t what I
needed on my first day at a new school. I hadn’t come here looking for instant
enemies, but I knew I’d accidentally stirred a private pot and things were
already starting to boil.
needed on my first day at a new school. I hadn’t come here looking for instant
enemies, but I knew I’d accidentally stirred a private pot and things were
already starting to boil.
I needed to do
something and quick. From the sounds floating around me, if they got into an
actual argument, I was going to get the blame.
something and quick. From the sounds floating around me, if they got into an
actual argument, I was going to get the blame.
I spit out the first
words I could think to say, “What’s a new
kid to do, after school, around here… for fun?”
words I could think to say, “What’s a new
kid to do, after school, around here… for fun?”
Kyle sighed and
chuckled, “That depends on what you’re hoping to find and what you think is fun.” He stepped back away
from Kelly for a moment. “You big city kids always think something needs to be going on. But in real life, in a small town,
not much ever happens.”
chuckled, “That depends on what you’re hoping to find and what you think is fun.” He stepped back away
from Kelly for a moment. “You big city kids always think something needs to be going on. But in real life, in a small town,
not much ever happens.”
“We could ask my Mom
to drive us into Astoria to do some shopping,” I suggested. It was a little too
obvious—even to me—Kelly wanted me out of the picture and was trying everything
she could think of to keep me away from Kyle. I almost felt sorry for her—but
only for a second.
to drive us into Astoria to do some shopping,” I suggested. It was a little too
obvious—even to me—Kelly wanted me out of the picture and was trying everything
she could think of to keep me away from Kyle. I almost felt sorry for her—but
only for a second.
“Or,” Kyle sat down
and nodded for me to join him. I could feel a warm rush of air and his scent
worked its way up inside my head. I barely heard him finish, “We could go for a
run.”
and nodded for me to join him. I could feel a warm rush of air and his scent
worked its way up inside my head. I barely heard him finish, “We could go for a
run.”
“What?” Kelly
demanded, clenching her hands into tight-balled fists at her side.
demanded, clenching her hands into tight-balled fists at her side.
“Savannah,” Kyle
lowered his voice and said my name slow, putting an emphasis on the last
syllable, like it was a soft sigh, ‘ah’. And, for the first time in my life, I
loved the sound of my own name. “Is a runner. And she’s fast. Aren’t ‘cha?” He
nudged me and moved even closer. I could barely think. His smell overpowered my
senses; it was the sweet woodsy scent of him that took me by surprise. I closed
my eyes and drank it in.
lowered his voice and said my name slow, putting an emphasis on the last
syllable, like it was a soft sigh, ‘ah’. And, for the first time in my life, I
loved the sound of my own name. “Is a runner. And she’s fast. Aren’t ‘cha?” He
nudged me and moved even closer. I could barely think. His smell overpowered my
senses; it was the sweet woodsy scent of him that took me by surprise. I closed
my eyes and drank it in.
When I opened them
back up, Kelly’s eyes were shooting red flames of rage straight at me.
back up, Kelly’s eyes were shooting red flames of rage straight at me.
I gazed at Kyle and
felt a warmth in my stomach again. It was working its way up into my chest. “That’s
not what you said this morning,” I laughed then spun away.
felt a warmth in my stomach again. It was working its way up into my chest. “That’s
not what you said this morning,” I laughed then spun away.
“You two went running
this morning?” Her voice came out in a squeak that broke into a high-pitched
screech, like fingernails on a chalkboard.
this morning?” Her voice came out in a squeak that broke into a high-pitched
screech, like fingernails on a chalkboard.
“Yeah,” Kyle said
casually, then back to me he added, “And, I’d like to see how fast you are.”
casually, then back to me he added, “And, I’d like to see how fast you are.”
I wondered if
everything he said was going to have a double meaning but I wasn’t ready to
question his motives. He was my only real friend
in this place, and it looked like I was going to need a few because I was
making more than a few enemies, without even trying.
everything he said was going to have a double meaning but I wasn’t ready to
question his motives. He was my only real friend
in this place, and it looked like I was going to need a few because I was
making more than a few enemies, without even trying.
“I could use the
exercise,” I nodded, looking around the table at the other kids’ faces and
wondering why no one else had said a single word. “Plus, you could show me
around the town.”
exercise,” I nodded, looking around the table at the other kids’ faces and
wondering why no one else had said a single word. “Plus, you could show me
around the town.”
“No problem,” Kyle
agreed, and I couldn’t help looking forward to it, even though I knew Kelly
wasn’t going to be happy about my running off with Kyle. “But I only think it’s
fair to warn you, there’s not much to see—so don’t get your hopes set too
high.”
agreed, and I couldn’t help looking forward to it, even though I knew Kelly
wasn’t going to be happy about my running off with Kyle. “But I only think it’s
fair to warn you, there’s not much to see—so don’t get your hopes set too
high.”
“Great—I mean about
the exercise,” I smiled, and without even thinking how it might sound, I added,
“Then it’s a date.”
the exercise,” I smiled, and without even thinking how it might sound, I added,
“Then it’s a date.”
Kelly only heard one
word and it was like I’d pulled back a rubber band—hard—and snapped it against
her forehead.
word and it was like I’d pulled back a rubber band—hard—and snapped it against
her forehead.
She wailed like a
wounded animal, “Agghhh!” and spun around on her heels, stomping out of the
room.
wounded animal, “Agghhh!” and spun around on her heels, stomping out of the
room.
Kyle shrugged and
started to walk toward the exit, then he twisted around to call out, “I’ll meet
you out by the flag post after seventh period.” His lips curled softly,
throwing me a quick backwards nod, “And, remember, it’s a date.” The last thing I saw was his warm, sensual grin, as he
glanced around the room before he gave me an exaggerated wink—meant more for
everyone else to see than for me, and then he disappeared out into the hall.
started to walk toward the exit, then he twisted around to call out, “I’ll meet
you out by the flag post after seventh period.” His lips curled softly,
throwing me a quick backwards nod, “And, remember, it’s a date.” The last thing I saw was his warm, sensual grin, as he
glanced around the room before he gave me an exaggerated wink—meant more for
everyone else to see than for me, and then he disappeared out into the hall.
I wished he would
have used a different word because he didn’t need to rub it in.
have used a different word because he didn’t need to rub it in.
I shrugged. Who cares? I told myself, he’s been the
nicest person in the entire school. If it weren’t for Kyle, I wouldn’t want to
ever come back to Mist High.
nicest person in the entire school. If it weren’t for Kyle, I wouldn’t want to
ever come back to Mist High.
The rest of the day
dragged on and on. All I wanted was to see Kyle again, with his sleek body and
powerful frame. But what I found fascinating was the casual way he had about
himself. He said whatever he wanted, while I worried about everything I said,
how it would be taken, and what people would think of me.
dragged on and on. All I wanted was to see Kyle again, with his sleek body and
powerful frame. But what I found fascinating was the casual way he had about
himself. He said whatever he wanted, while I worried about everything I said,
how it would be taken, and what people would think of me.
Somehow, Kyle was
working his way into my system, like a powerful drug. And I was beginning to
feel addicted. I couldn’t wait for our meeting out by the flag post.
working his way into my system, like a powerful drug. And I was beginning to
feel addicted. I couldn’t wait for our meeting out by the flag post.
Finally, after what
seemed like absolutely for…ev…er, the bell rang.
seemed like absolutely for…ev…er, the bell rang.
I rushed out of
class, down the hall, and out the front doors of the school to meet up with
Kyle.
class, down the hall, and out the front doors of the school to meet up with
Kyle.
But as I got closer,
my spine tingled. Something was wrong. I could feel it. Then I knew why.
my spine tingled. Something was wrong. I could feel it. Then I knew why.
Kyle wasn’t standing
underneath the flagpole; someone else was there, waiting for me.
underneath the flagpole; someone else was there, waiting for me.
“Kelly,” I muttered
under my breath.
under my breath.
She stood beneath the
red, white, and blue banner with an enormous grin carved into her face, like a
giant jack-o-lantern beaming up at me. But this look was way more sinister and
gloating. My knees suddenly felt weak and my throat went dry.
red, white, and blue banner with an enormous grin carved into her face, like a
giant jack-o-lantern beaming up at me. But this look was way more sinister and
gloating. My knees suddenly felt weak and my throat went dry.
This girl just kept
surprising me.
surprising me.
***
 |
| Kimbra Kasch
I grew up in a family with 9 kids and only 1 t.v. so I spent my days reading and, later, writing. I love
getting lost in stories that can take me to castles and faraway lands or show me cultures and ways of life I’d never see any other way. |
Books are the cheapest way to travel…and
stories are the only sure way to escape the routine of everyday life.
stories are the only sure way to escape the routine of everyday life.
My favorite romance novels are The Hunger
Games…okay, I know some people say it’s a survival book but it’s really all
about romance. Then there are the series: Twilight, Divergent and more but I
also love paranormal and sci-fi.
Games…okay, I know some people say it’s a survival book but it’s really all
about romance. Then there are the series: Twilight, Divergent and more but I
also love paranormal and sci-fi.
Did I say I love to read, talk, knit, sew,
and bake… I could go on but I’ll stop by saying, I hope you’ll stop in on my
social sites and say Hi. Thanks for listening.
and bake… I could go on but I’ll stop by saying, I hope you’ll stop in on my
social sites and say Hi. Thanks for listening.
Please join me on Twitter or stop by and
see what I’m pinning on Pinterest and, if you’ve read one of my books and have a
question or simply want to share a comment, please feel free to send me an
email. I love connecting with readers. You can also find me at Goodreads,
Amazon Author
Page, Facebook
and my Website and Blog.
see what I’m pinning on Pinterest and, if you’ve read one of my books and have a
question or simply want to share a comment, please feel free to send me an
email. I love connecting with readers. You can also find me at Goodreads,
Amazon Author
Page, Facebook
and my Website and Blog.
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