Author Interview: Kinley Baker, Author of Ruined, Talks About Writing

Hello Everyone in the Blogosphere!

Today I want to welcome Kinley Baker, one of Crescent Moon Press's new authors. I recently reviewed her book, Ruined, and it was great! (I hope you get a chance to pick it up!)

Welcome Kinley!

*applause*

Why don't you start by telling my readers a little bit about yourself?

I absolutely love a good romance and if it makes me laugh and cry along the way, that’s a plus! Laughing out loud is a win especially on a bad day. I live with my husband and dog, Joker, in the Pacific Northwest. I went to college for writing and now I’m finally starting to understand what they were trying to teach me.

What drew you to the craft of writing?

A penchant for matchmaking (which was a disaster in real life) and my personal belief that the world needs more happy endings.

Are you a pantser or plotter?

Panster more than a plotter. Although, I do need to know Goal, Motivation and Conflict for each character before I start. And I generally have an idea of where I’m going with the story. But sometimes there are curves.

When do you like to write? Mornings, Afternoons, Middle of the Night, or somewhere in between (like when the kids sleep)?

I usually get up early. I write on my lunch breaks, in the evening and on the weekends. I’m usually checked out after 8:00 p.m. but I have been known to work later during official edits. I pretty much write whenever I’m not doing something else.

Do you have some favorite music that inspires your writing? A movie? What inspires you?

My Pandora station usually involves Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert, Hinder, The Verve, Eminem, Rihanna, John Mayer, Oasis, Joe Bongiorno, Johnny Cash, David Cook, Dido, and Journey. Consider me versatile. Although sometimes Lady Gaga doesn’t work for fantasy romance. I find most music and movies inspiring. And the ocean. I’m a big fan of foggy beaches and I’ve always wanted to live in a lighthouse on big cliffs.

When you're not writing, do you have a favorite author or genre you enjoy?

I am big on contemporary romances right now. I just picked up Lori Wilde and she makes me laugh and cry. Can’t get better than that. I’ve read tons of paranormal, but I’m going through an odd stage where I can’t seem to read it at the moment.

What advice would you give to others in the journey to becoming published?

I would tell aspiring authors to keep writing, to believe in their stories and prepare for a rough road. I’m writing a post that might be relevant to this question. It will post on October 14th and if you follow me on Twitter, I’ll be tweeting about it that day.

Did you have a long line of submissions before you “got the call”?

Ruined definitely made the submission rounds. I queried at least fifty agents. A lot of them told me fantasy romance wasn’t selling. I didn’t have a ton of success until I started submitting directly to Editors, who at least had positive things to say. I received some great feedback from Editors that helped me find a home at Crescent Moon Press.

Where can we find you and your books?

My home base on the internet is www.kinleybaker.com.

I’m also on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kinleybaker 

Facebook at www.facebook.com/kinleybaker. I have a page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kinley-Baker/196649877015210. 

I also blog if you don’t have enough ways to stalk me yet. Lol. http://authorkinleybaker.blogspot.com. My books are on Amazon @ http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ruined+by+kinley+baker&x=0&y=0

Barnes & Noble @ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ruined-kinley-baker/1104429885?ean=9781937254148&itm=1&usri=ruined%2bby%2bkinley%2bbaker in eBook and Print forms.

Share with us something about your current book.

Right now, I’m spending time with Caleb, the leader of the Varner. Caleb rocks! I’m having a lot of fun writing his book. I love his heroine. I didn’t think I’d ever love someone more than Jessa, but I do. Don’t tell Jessa. I’m working on getting Ruined II wrapped up and over to my publisher now. Some really emotional parts have been hanging me up because they were so hard to write. But I think they will be worth it!

What are your future plans for your series? Are you cooking up a new one?

Ruined is part of a trilogy. I’m currently wavering over Book 3 because some of the characters in Book 2 piped up and want their story told now, too. I do want to write Ari’s story. I’m going to worry about getting Caleb’s story told first, then I’ll figure out Book 3 in case vital information changes during my edits on Book 2.

I can't wait to read Caleb's story! He's such a strong leader, not easily misled or twisted, but still so tortured...having been driven from his homeland. Oh, I'm really going to look forward to him!

I do have a few other series in the works, but nothing contracted yet.

Some fun stuff!

Coffee, Tea, or Something Harder?

Can I choose all three? Lol. It depends on the time of day.

Cake or Ice Cream (or both, what flavor)?

Although I do have coffee flavored ice cream in the freezer, it’s been sitting there for a long time. Can I choose chips? I am a big chip addict. The sweet stuff doesn’t call to me anymore. I’m not a fan of cake, but I try to keep that quiet since people get pretty passionate about chocolate.

Favorite all-time movie?

Ever After. I think if you like Ever After, you’ll probably like Ruined. *crosses fingers*

Well, Ever After is one of my favorites and I loved Ruined, so I think you may be right! I loved Drew Barrymore and Dougray Scott in the classic Cinderella story...ahhhh... so lovely! I can see a little Cinderella in Jessa! And a little Prince Charming is Vale...in a larger than life kind of way!

Favorite paranormal creature?

Shadow Shifters like in Ruined :-) I’m biased. But I also have a story about a succubus I want to write. I’m not really picky when it comes to super powers or magic. It’s all cool and I’m jealous of all the people who have special abilities. That’s why I write about them. I live vicariously through my characters.

Your Shadow Shifters are so cool, folding shadows to move through space, loved it! Of course, vampires are my reigning favs! Not often can someone offer to bite you and it feels good, hehe.

Thank you so much for the awesome interview, Dottie! I really enjoyed answering the questions.

Thank you for visiting with us today Kinley! It has been a pleasure!