Get to know K.C….

Born and raised in Aurora, Illinois I spent my childhood playing street games with the neighborhood kids. When I wasn’t outside, I spent much of my time reading and getting lost in adventurous worlds and whirlwind courtships. At the age of seventeen, I moved to Kentucky and eventually began to raise a family of my own.

I have always been entranced by stories of magical adventure, and though I have had to live in the practical world, running a family business as well as two of my own, I have discovered that writing is an entirely new, exciting adventure all on its own!

We have a large family and our get-togethers are so much fun! And did I mention that I’m a photographer? Yes, I take tons of photos! We also have a mini dachshund, her name is “Roxy” she only weighs 10 pounds but is a huge part of our family. She’s so spoiled!

In my spare time, I can be found updating my website or blog, finding great books to read or watching videos. Most days I crave Diet Coke, pizza and chocolate, in no particular order. I don’t read scary books or watch horror movies… I’m way too scared! For more info, visit my website. 

Let the conversation begin!

What is your worst scar? How did you get it? (Mentally or physically)

Mentally: Fear of horror movies. My father watched them on television; after my brother and I went to bed (we were little). I could hear the scary music and the screams through the walls. This tormented me as a kid, but my father’s hearing wasn’t very good, so he couldn’t turn the sound down. 

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I enjoy writing in the children’s genre. I love writing happy stories and I want the reader to be happy reading them.

What genre do you avoid writing?

I won’t write horror or read it. I’m too scared! Waking up from a nightmare is bad enough; I couldn’t imagine wanting write about scary stuff too. 

How do you recharge your creative batteries?

Doing anything that gives me time to think, without interruption, really helps (painting the walls, staining the deck, driving with the radio turned off, or sitting by the pool). 

Can you tell us about the book you’re working on? Is it coming easily or have you run into road blocks?

I’m currently working on two books, Saving Finkleton and My Name is Rapunzel (YA). Things are going really well with them. The only road blocks are things, other than writing, that need attention. I work a full-time job and we have a large family. 

Is any material in your books based on real life experiences or purely imagination?

In the Finkleton series and My Name is Rapunzel, pure imagination. I’m sure my imagination is influenced from life experiences, but I get a ton of ideas from my dreams. 

How many words have you written in one writing session?

I’ve written 8,000 before taking a break, then I went back to write more. I had a deadline and wanted plenty of time to rewrite. When I write, I tend to get lost in my own little world. It’s a wonderful place to be! 

Are you a person who makes the bed in the morning?

Yes. I call it ‘closing the bed’. I don’t want to make it easy for spiders. 

What is your very favorite part of the day?

After supper, when everyone is settled for the evening, including our dog (Roxy), I either read a book or write. 

Best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Read, read and read. Books are the best tools for a writer. When I read a book, I pay attention to grammar, punctuation and dialogue. 

If you were handed free opera tickets, would you go or sell them?

I’d go! I’ve never been to an opera, so it would be a new experience and it sounds like fun. Oh, I’d need to buy a new dress and shoes! 

Will you have a new book coming out soon?

Yes. I’m currently working on the last book in the Finkleton series, Saving Finkleton. I’m also working on a YA book, My Name is Rapunzel. Soon, I’ll turn into a little hermit and shut the world out. When I get to a certain point writing, I stay away from the phone and internet. I always give my family and friends advanced warning, so they’ll understand when I don’t call or send emails. 

What was the best thing that happened to you this year?

Our family took a two week vacation. The first week we visited Disney World and it was awesome! The second week we visited the beach. It was the best relaxation time I’ve had in a long time. I didn’t want it to end! I can’t wait for next year. 

When was the last time you did something for the first time? What was it?

I painted my office/library with something called Sandstone paint. I’ve never painted with this type of paint before. It was a learning experience and it turned out really nice. 

If you knew you could not fail, what would you do?

Time travel is at the top of my list. To be able to travel back in time and see how life was first hand would be great. Traveling to the future would be awesome to! 

What is your definition of a relaxing day?

I haven’t had many of these days, but when I can, I choose to relax and read all day long. Some people call it being lazy, I call it relaxing. I’d choose reading a book over watching television. 

If you could be any animal in the world for 24 hours, which animal would you be?

I’d like to be a bird and soar through the sky. Who wouldn’t want to fly? It would be so awesome! 

Have you ever jumped out of a plane? If you knew you would survive, would you do it?

No, I’ve never jumped out of a plane nor would I ever want to jump out of a plane. I’d be too scared! 

Can you share your journey from writing to author?

I never thought I’d be an author. I use to have nightmares as a child and I was told to write my dreams down in a journal. As a child, I thought closing the diary would make them go away. Eventually, the nightmares went away, but something happened several years ago (not sure what), but I started having bad dreams again. So, I did what I learned as a child and wrote them down. One dream in particular, wouldn’t leave my mind, although I wrote it down. Something was telling me to do something with it. But what? So, I took the notes from that dream and started writing more details. Soon, it was a full story, then an entire book. I never anticipated it actually being published. 

Name a turning point in your life that makes you smile.

The day my husband and I were married on the beach; it changed my life. 

If you were to be on a reality TV show, which would it be and why?

“A Date with My Mom”, this way I could choose a boyfriend for my daughter, lol. 

If someone rented a billboard for you, what would you put on it?

My website and my book covers.