New interview with novelist Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

A nice welcome back to novelist Kathryn Elizabeth Jones as we chat about her newest novel, The Gift: A Parable of the Key.

A little bit about Kathryn:

Kathryn has been a published writer since 1987. She graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Mass Communication and a minor in Creative Writing. Her studies included work in creative writing, public relations and journalism. In 2012, she opened the doors to Idea Creations Press, a publishing services company that caters to writers and their writing, publishing, and marketing needs.

Welcome back to Reviews and Interviews.

Thanks!

Please tell us about your newest release.

The Gift: A Parable of the Key is the last book in the Parable series about Virginia and her struggles to overcome life's challenges. With the help of the five stones, Listening, Trust, Optimism, Tenacity and Constancy, Virginia learns with the help of God all things are possible. Though losing their baby has presented Virginia and her husband, Richard, with the greatest challenge of all - they soon discover that with God's help, they can yet - heal.

What inspired you to write this book?

I knew there was one more story to Virginia's life that needed to be told. In the first book, she loses her job - a difficult struggle to say the least - but not the most difficult struggle on the planet. In book 2, she isn't able to have a child and by the end of the book we see a miracle happening in the life of Virginia. We think all is settled and good, but in life there are always opportunities to stretch - to become something more. The Gift is all about that.

What’s the next writing project?

I am working on a book with a friend of mine entitled, Heaven 24/7. A book of true stories about living heaven on earth. I am also working on book 3 in my mystery series. This book is titled, Hard Boiled, and returns Susan home from her honeymoon only to find that her ex-husband has been killed.

What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book?

Probably the hardest part for me is the mid-section of the book; keeping the tension going, the scenes interesting, connected and engaging. I don't want to lose the writer mid-way through the book.

If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?

Research is a big deal. I usually start my book, and fill in what I learn through research on the way. I find that if I sit down to plan my entire book including all of the research I need for it, I get bogged down and don't want to start writing it. By just getting in there and writing I find that I am able to fill in the gaps that I don't know as I go, by stopping the story and researching what I need for the next scene.

What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.

I do have a writing office - a place I also bring writing clients, however, it's in dire need of some fix-ups. The carpet has been pulled up and the walls need some painting. We are remodeling the kitchen and my office will come next - probably sometime next year when we put in the kitchen floors that will be the same in the office. Until then, I keep the place as neat and clean as possible, and all of my clients know that the office is a work-in-progress.

What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?

I enjoy C.S. Lewis and have just come upon Beverly Lewis (she writes Amish fiction). I really don't have an affinity with authors with the last name of Lewis, it's just what's been connecting with me recently. I also enjoy any book that will help me to draw closer to God.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers today?

I appreciate so much the readers who enjoy my work and have told me that they do. I have many who also do book reviews, which I appreciate as well. As an author, you do all you can to connect with readers and want your books to be something that the reader remembers, for all of the good reasons.

Thank you for coming back to Reviews and Interviews!

You're welcome! I've had a great time!

New interview with author Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

We first met today's guest in May. Kathryn Elizabeth Jones is back today to chat about her latest project, and her first in the cozy mystery genre, Scrambled.

Bio:

Kathryn is a writer of fiction and nonfiction and has published for many years. Her new business, Idea Creations Press, has just opened its doors to authors interested in POD publishing. Scrambled is is her first cozy mystery.

Kathryn, welcome back to Reviews and Interviews.

Please tell us about your newest release. 

My new release is entitled, Scrambled. It's my first cozy mystery and I'm excited about delving even further into the realms of mystery in the books to follow. Susan thinks to have a better life by leaving her husband, only to discover that life isn't always better on the other side of the fence. Murder creeps in soon after her move to the old hotel and doesn't let up, not even after she gets help from the eccentric Ms. Martha Boaz. If anything, things only get worse.

What inspired you to write this book? 

A few years ago I was taking a creative writing class at the local college and was given an assignment to write a short story. I quickly realized, however, that what I was writing was a novel.

What’s the next writing project? 

The next Susan Sleuth Mystery, Sunny Side-Up. Susan takes a cruise, but it's not like anything she expected.

What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book) 

When writing a new book, my biggest challenge, especially with mysteries, is keeping all of the facts straight and studying up on everything I don't have a handle on--research is big with a cozy mystery.

If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps? 

I do a bit of research to get going. I really need to know how the person is murdered. I need to know the main characters and the setting. After that I get writing. When I get stuck, I stop writing and research what is needed before I continue. Often, the characters have a mind of their own. They take me places I hadn't planned on, and certain new characters jump on board that I hadn't planned on inviting.

What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it. 

My writing space is my computer and office. The place is cluttered with papers and music and books and all of the paraphernalia that a writer needs. I try to clean it off weekly so that I can see the desk top. There is a window right in front of my so that I can look out and see the sky and an accordion type door to shut when I really need to be alone. Oh, and a new small fridge with water. Now I take a few steps, grab my water, and sit back down. No more traveling to the kitchen.

What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre? 

I enjoy Christian fiction big time. I love C.S. Lewis and all he has to offer, both in fiction and in nonfiction. My favorite book is Mere Christianity.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers today? 

I guess you can call me a cross genre writer. While I love writing Christian Fiction and nonfiction, I also love the fun and intrigue involved in writing a mystery.

Thank you for coming back to Reviews and Interviews!

You're very welcome.

Interview with novelist Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones is joining us today to talk about her new novel Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones. She's also developed a workbook to go with the novel and both released this year.

Bio:

Kathryn has been a published writer since 1987. She has published various newspaper stories, magazine articles, essays and short stories for teens and adults. She is the author of: A River of Stones, a young adult fiction novel dealing with divorce, and Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones, a Christian novel, was published in January 2012. Her newest creation, Conquering your Goliaths—Guidebook, was published in February of 2012

Kathryn, welcome to Reviews and Interviews. Please tell us about your current release. 

Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones is a Christian fiction novel. The story of Ms. Virginia Bean shares her joys and struggles in finding a new job in her hometown of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Fortunately, Ms. Bean has the help of the five stones: Listening, Trust, Optimism, Tenacity and Constancy, and the ever reliable help of God to realize her dream. Funny, it’s never quite what we expect.

What inspired you to write this book? 

My nephew came up with the idea and my husband shared the idea with me. He said, “This would make a great book.” So I sat down to write it. It has been an inspiring journey ever since.  

What exciting story are you working on next? 

I’m actually in the process of teaching some new classes on Conquering Your Goliaths based on the book. I have developed a Conquering Your Goliaths: Guidebook that gives the reader hands-on experiences in the messages of the five stones. The guidebook can be purchased and worked on singly, or the participant can take a class where I teach the values of the five stones.

When did you first consider yourself a writer? 

The first day I put pen to paper. No, I wasn’t very good, but I had the desire to be successful and that desire has made all the difference.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like?  If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write? 

I am a full-time writer, whether that means I am mentoring other writers, writing on my blog, working on my next book, working at my new business: Idea Creations Press, or teaching a class. I love writing in all of its facets!

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? 

I don’t really outline. I have an idea, a very loose idea of what I want to do, but nothing more. The story comes to me as I write.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

An airline stewardess. What are they calling them now? Oh, yes, flight attendants. I really didn’t care for flight; what I wanted to do was travel the world on someone else’s money.

That's good thinking. :)

Anything additional you want to share with the readers? 

Never give up on your dreams. Never surrender. 

Great advice, Kathryn. Thanks for stopping by today and sharing a bit about yourself and your writing with us.