Pump Up Your Book Chats with author Kelly McClymer

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ABOUT KELLY McCLYMER

kelly mcclymer Kelly McClymer started her writing career in short science fiction, moved to novel length historical romance and then shifted over to fantasy YA. Who knows what she’ll write next.

You can visit Kelly at her website, http://kellymcclymer.com.

Thank you for this interview, Kelly. Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later? Do you remember your first published piece?

A: I remember writing plays for my sisters to perform for our parents, and I remember an essay on baking bread that my sixth grade teacher really liked (it chronicled my disastrous attempt to make bread from scratch…I think there was a comparison to the Blob from the science fiction horror movie). Technically, I was first published in the pages of my high school newspaper — I was co-editor and also wrote the movie reviews. But after high school, it was quite a long journey from writer to published writer. I submitted many a short science fiction story, wrote one historical romance novel that got agent/editor interest but never sold, and then finally got the life-changing publication offer for my second novel, The Fairy Tale Bride.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

A: For me, the most frustrating part of being a published author is the time management aspect. Every author’s career is a balance of public outreach and creative output. And then, of course, family, friends, and the odd bits of exercise and relaxation. I am always out of balance, but I strive to one day live in a fairly harmonic balance. Next year. Or 2014. Whichever comes first.

The most rewarding part of being an author, for me, is when a reader responds to what I’ve written and sends me a quick note to let me know. There is no better vindication for all the hard work, worry, drafting, and revision. Like a tree falling in the forest, is it a book if a reader doesn’t respond?

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life? Do you have support?

A: I’m married, and my children are mostly out of the nest, so I have more time to concentrate on writing than I did when my children were active in school and sports events. I think a real life is important to a writer, so I do try to come out of my writing fog/promotion haze every now and again in order to just have a little fun and connect with my husband and other family members. Dishes and laundry still tend to take a back seat to writing (and reading), of course.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing? Where do you like to vacation? Can you tell us briefly about this?

A: Sadly, I am a little work obsessed. When I’m not writing, I tutor children with dyslexia, and my older son and I have started a company to create reading game apps for others who have trouble learning to reading fluently. My time this last year has been taken up trying to run a promotion to help fund my daughter’s wedding (upcoming in August). That’s been quite a bit of fun, but a great deal of hard work. I’ve blogged, run Pinterest contests, and tried to talk all my family and friends into helping spread the word.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

A: Hmmm. I think I’d like to be in New Zealand, looking at that gorgeous waterfall they filmed in the Lord of the Rings movie. I love waterfalls (only ever seen Niagara up close), and I like to be reminded that nature offers as much to astound, amaze and impress us as truly great fiction can.

Who is your biggest fan?

A: I don’t know who my biggest fan is. I’ve never thought about it, to be honest, until you asked that question. I think my biggest fan would be any reader who closed one of my books with a smile and a “yep, that’s exactly how it would have happened.”

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

A: I write in my office, at home. Since I run three businesses out of my tiny home office, I often find myself pulled in different directions. I have a good set of headphones, though, and always have the soundtrack of my latest book in progress available to help me get in the writing mood. Editing tends to be done wherever I am — living room recliner having coffee with my husband, back deck enjoying the sunshine, or out and about in the local library, Starbucks, or park. My favorite place to write outside of home is Starbucks. With a nice Caramel Macchiato and the quiet buzz of conversation and steamed milk, there is no chance I can be distracted by the laundry, the telephone, or one of the many books I have on my numerous bookshelves.

Do you have any pets?

A: I have the world’s oldest kitten. At 23, Shadow still has her moments of shaky grace and slightly off-balance playfulness. We got her as a kitten, the offspring of a not-yet spayed purebred Siamese cat and a neighborhood stray (her siblings were all tragically and dramatically dead before they made it a year: one electrocuted climbing a power station; one leaping out of a car window into the path of an oncoming truck. We got the wise one of the bunch. She runs away from any and all adventures.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

A: I don’t think I have a secret that no one else knows. I tend to be more honest than is wise. If I make a mistake, I own it as soon as I realize it. I’m very sure there are many people in my immediate family who wish I did keep more secrets (mine, not theirs — I keep other people’s secrets, it’s just mine I dish like free ice cream).

What’s on your to do list today?

A: Answering these questions is first on my priority list, then finishing the printing of my daughter’s wedding invitation envelopes, then going out to see the moonrise with my husband. I always try to sneak in a thousand words of writing here or there, but since I’m fighting a nasty bug, I may let myself off the hook and just enjoy the moonshine tonight.

Now I’ve got a couple of fun questions for you. If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of your book, how would that help him find a way off the island?

A: If Tom Hanks unearthed a copy of The Fairy Tale Bride in the movie Cast Away, it would inspire him to dare the seemingly impossible, and build a raft out of beach flotsam and jetsam. Probably a raft that looked like a mythical flying carpet, and that had woven into it the myth and magic of a truly great fairy tale happily ever after.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara Dioguardi and the newest addition, Ellen DeGeneres, to determine whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay where you’d make millions of dollars. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your author photo – and why?

A: I think they have new judges on American (Singing) Idol, but I’d really like Ellen DeGeneres judging my book for screenplay chops on American Book Idol. I’m sure she’d convince all the other judges (including the scoff-meister Cowell) that Miranda would have all the on-screen heart and charm that Ellen DeGeneres herself possesses. Both Miranda (fictionally) and Ellen (in real life) tend to try to look at things from very skewed — but positive — perspectives.

You just got word that your book has received the 2010 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony to give an acceptance speech. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. What would you say and who would you thank?

A: First, I’d have to thank all the writer friends and mentors through the years. I have had so many critique partners, readers, writer friends, that I have been so much richer (in knowledge, and affection, and caring, if not in actual money) for knowing. Then my family (who still finds it baffling that I write).

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in May via a virtual book tour. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

A: I like the idea of a virtual book tour. I don’t have to dress up, travel, or eat bad roadtrip food, but I can still share my book, my love of writing, and my random thoughts about Tom Hanks, Castaway, and life in general.

Thank you for this interview, Kelly. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

A: Thanks! It has been my pleasure to answer these questions (and to imagine having some small impact on helping poor Tom Hanks to escape his island prison — perhaps even earlier, before his wife fell in love with another man!).

ABOUT THE FAIRY TALE BRIDE

Miranda Fenster gave up on a happily-ever-after following a disastrous London season, but she is determined to help her brother regain his star-crossed love by convincing the impeccably proper Duke of Kerstone he was wrong to thwart their love match. Instead, she finds herself compromised, married, and with a second chance for a fairy tale ending — if only she can show the duke fairy tales do come true.

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach