Today is FRIDAY, and as I have done for the past few Fridays, I am hosting another author here today. DS Kenn! Who is DS Kenn, you may ask…. Answer is, I am only just finding out myself. That is part of the fun here on Friday is that YOU get to meet new authors and so do I. Authors are in the business together and I know from observing authors and readers that READERS can READ way more books and at a much faster rate than authors can write them. That is why this is not a competition. It can't be. Unless I can write, produce, and publish ONE BOOK A DAY, then I can not keep up with the demand of readers. (And some readers can consume MORE than one book a day!) And even if I could, I think readers would get bored with me. I can only be so creative. The artist world out there needs the variety that authors as a united whole can provide.
I generally write contemporary romance. What does DS Kenn write? Well, let us see…….
I asked basically the same interview questions I have in previous FRIEND FRIDAY posts. I think interviews can be informative and fun. So here we go.
WK- What inspires your writing?
DS Kenn: My characters are a combination of someone I have known, have loved, someone I have wanted to be or used to be or would someday like to become. Once I have their personality down a bit, I let the story tell itself. It’s very hard to try to make the story go in one direction or another, even when I want to. The characters tend to have strong personalities and what they would say or do is pretty clear in my head.
WK: Makes sense to me!
WK- When did you start writing m/m romance?
DS Kenn: Two and a half years ago. I hadn’t read it before I started
writing it, now if I have a chance to read, it’s my preference. I also write M/F but again, M/M is my
preference.
WK- Are you a full time author?
DS Kenn: No. I have a career I enjoy and find fulfilling
in nearly every aspect, therefore, I am able to write simply for the love of
writing. I would love for my books to be
a success and for people to get to know and love the characters. I’ve found
some of that success on Facebook, to a certain degree, when I posted my writing
there in my group. It’s a great feeling, to have something you
created bring someone joy, or cause them to think, to cry, to care.
WK: I agree.
WK- Who is your favorite author?
DS Kenn: Too many to list.
WK- How many books have you written so far?
DS Kenn: I have one book out now, but the entire
series is pretty well planned out, as far as the major characters that are
already created. Parts of each book are
already written. I have book two underway.
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WK- Tell us a little about your novel, Set
Adrift.
DS Kenn: Set Adrift is the first book in the Immortal Isle series. This book is an introduction to the series and to the world I created. The series is set in Provincetown, Massachusetts. In book one, we meet some of the major characters that will be getting their own books down the road. Terric and Jordyn are the main characters. They are both a bit broken, a bit lost. They find strength in each other and in their relationship. Each takes away what they need, but there is something missing and both are fully aware. Jordyn has been through hell and back, and Terric gives her strength until she is ready to stand on her own. They love each other, but know that they won’t a true bond to each other. This is the story of how they ended up, looking for a way to become whole and the courage to go after what they want. The entire book is M/F, save for a small scene toward the end. But we can see where it leads into book two and that is where Terric’s story takes off. There will be more main characters introduced in that one and we will learn a bit more about some we caught glimpses of in book one. There is Tristan, the sad bartender that craves death. His dimpled grin hides pain and rejection behind the facade of a bored, rich hybrid. He lays down on the bar and lets beautiful women touch him, drink shots off his body, but his eyes never meet theirs and he doesn’t think about them when he is alone, reliving every moment of a past he can’t escape. Adam is the immortal human lighthouse keeper, he had no choice in what he became and had no guidance to help him navigate his changed reality. Chris is the monster who lurks and feeds off the blood of those naive and unwary enough to be caught in his sights. He’s twisted and evil and his soul is blackened nearly beyond redemption. Nearly. He isn’t to blame for what he became, and despite his size and intelligence, he’s like a child. His mind never matured past that of an impetuous youth, an abused and tortured one at that. These are just a few of the characters we met in book one, we will continue to learn more about them as the series progresses, until we get through each of their books.
WK: Hey, Matt, if you read this it is a book set in Massachusetts!! And Gregory Payne likes M/F romance novels :)
WK- How long did it take you to complete it?
DS Kenn: It took about two years. I started it, and
then had to set it aside for a year because of an opportunity that came up in
my career. The series is of utmost importance to me, but so is taking care of
my family. Sometimes, you have to adjust
so you can balance it all. I am shocked it took that long, but now that I have
that one out, I am hopeful that the others will move quicker. There was a lot of learning curve in there as
well.
WK- I can relate. You aren't alone. Everything I do takes forever and time disappears.
WK- Who is your favorite character in the novel and why?
DS Kenn: They are all beloved by me. Terric is my
favorite, in that he is the one I know the best. I have spent a long time in his head. He is partly based on someone I love very
much, one of the people I connect with most in the world.
WK- How much of yourself did you manifest into your
favorite character?
DS Kenn: He is a combination of myself and someone I
love. The rational side, the side that
can be diplomatic and can examine a problem from different angles and do what
needs to be done is the person I love.
The temper, the protectiveness of those he loves, and some of the
insecurities come from me. But then,
this person and I, we are a lot alike, so that could describe him as well.
WK- When someone reads Set Adrift, what do you hope they
gain from reading it?
DS Kenn: I hope they see that family is who you choose
it to be. We can make our family from
those who care about us, watch over us, care about us. It’s great when it’s blood
that binds you, but that isn’t the only family you will
know. Family is about who you think of
when you think of going home at the end of a journey, or a tough day, or when
you are hurting and you have grown exhausted at pretending and need to lay your
head down and rest, be yourself and know that you are safe in dropping the mask
we all wear.
WK- Can you share four things you’ve learned
about the business?
DS Kenn:
1.
Don’t put added pressure on yourself
by committing to something before you are 100% ready. Don’t commit to a release date, a
convention, anything, until your book is not only out and available, but you
are satisfied with all the editing. Have
your swag in hand, and your print books ready to go if that is what you are
doing. Things will hit a snag and no one
is as motivated to get things done as you are.
You will get frustrated and it is very hard to maintain a professional
attitude when you are feeling pressured.
2.
Only select a few beta readers, and make sure there is
clear communication between you and them as to what is expected on both
ends. Sending out numerous copies of
your book to people who never get back to you is a waste of time and puts you
at risk for pirating down the road.
Also, keep in mind how helpful their feedback was, it will help you
decide whether to use them again or not.
3.
Have several editors.
I used two, and plan to use at least that many on the next book. But, know that they may not have an opening
when you are ready to be edited. Editing
is a process. It takes time and it’s not fun. But don’t skip it
or skimp on it. It’s vital,
especially if you want to be taken seriously.
Your readers deserve a well edited book, and your good name, your
reputation, is on the line.
4.
If you don’t “connect” with someone, if your personalities don’t mesh,
politely move on. Creative differences,
whatever it is, happen. Sometimes people don’t hit it off or communicate well
together. It’s nothing personal, and doesn’t mean that
either person isn’t great and amazing and wonderful. It
means you aren’t right for each other, not a good
fit.
WK- all good points :)
WK- How do you keep your creative "spark" alive?
DS Kenn: I continue the stories in my head, when I’m not
writing. It’s frustrating, because my memory sucks,
and I know I will forget much of what I have written in my mind, but still. Some of it remains, and will be used. I listen to music when I write, and it
matches the tone of whatever scene I am writing.
WK- What is your suggestion or piece of advice to new and
upcoming writers?
DS Kenn: Be cautious in who you trust, especially people you
meet online. Very few are what they
seem. Find your circle and keep those
bonds close. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of other
writers, most are very open and willing to help. It’s a competitive field, and there
are some people that are cutthroat and unscrupulous. That reveals itself fairly quickly. Avoid them and that will leave room for the
many wonderful authors out there that want to see new writers succeed. If you see someone get involved in
mudslinging or drama stirring, remember that it could easily be you as the
target of all that unwanted attention.
Remember that, and conduct future dealings with them accordingly. Don’t let that kind of negativity
take the focus away from your writing and from getting to know people who are
truly good to have in your life. Write
what brings you joy, and don’t write with the idea that you
will have a bestseller raking in millions the second it hits Amazon. It may happen for some, but I hate to think
how rare it is.
WK: I think many out there can relate to what you say and understand where you are coming from with that.
WK- Where we can find you on the Internet?
DS Kenn: I’m on FB. Feel free to friend me
there.
I also have an app that’s in development. It’s available
on Googleplay at the moment, for those who have an android device. Search Immortal Isle.
Her BIO says: DS Kenn lives in sunny south Florida, between city and swamp. When she
isn't spending time with family or working, she can be found taking care of a
multitude of rescue animals and writing. Set Adrift is her first published work, but she has been writing
for several years. She ran a successful writing group on Facebook, which is
where she developed the characters you will grow to love or love to hate.
Drop her a message on Facebook and let her know what
you think of the book. There are sneak peeks and extra scenes to be found if
you look close enough.
WK- Could
you please share your favorite excerpt from Set Adrift with us?
Tristan started to laugh and then quickly hid it.
Drunk off
his ass or not, the demon was not one to fuck with.
Finally, he
gave up and simply reached down into Terric’s pants
pocket.
He fished around for a moment, finally dragging out
the keys.
Terric’s head whipped toward him and he
drunkenly stumbled
back, anger marring his features. Tristan held the
keys up to
show Terric what he had been doing, trying to explain
as
quickly as possible. “Dude, just needed your keys,
swear.
Don’t freak on
me, okay? You seemed a bit out of it and we
need to take you home. Just wanted to grab the keys, I
didn’t
touch nothing else, wasn’t trying
to. Fuck, man. You think
that of me?”
Terric sneered, his words slurred and defensive. “You
think that of me? Is that what you’re trying
to say? You think
I’m some sort
of pervert, that I want you to touch me? Or
that I’m hitting on you? Don’t flatter
yourself. Vampires don’t
do it for me. Neither do pretty boys with dimples. Or
people
who let little girls die on their watch. Fuck you,
Carraig.
Nothing about you interests me.”
Tristan froze. Rage filled his handsome face, and he
stepped back, letting the keys fall on the floor. His
hands
bunched into fists and he felt his heart rate
accelerate. His
head began to pound and all he could do was stare. He
could see the scene play out, reflected in the apathy staring back at
him in the demon’s eyes. This was how he could
finish all of it
in that exact moment. Terric was showing him how it
would
end, if he pushed any further. Question was, did he
want to?
And yeah, he did. Not out of anger at the comments
that
fell drunkenly from Terric’s lips.
More for the possibility of
escaping the relentless fucking pain. He took a step
forward,
the images vividly real in his mind. His death would
be
fucking beautiful and it would be permanent. He
nodded; his
eyes shining with unshed tears. “God, yes. Please, Terric. I
don’t care how
or why, just make it fucking end.”
Terric nodded, his eyes glowing red and he took a step
forward, knowing he would pay for this nearly as much
as
Tristan. More, actually, he would genuinely wish for
death
when called to answer for killing a sentient being
that didn’t
deserve to die. He raised his hand, focus etched into
the
planes of his face, tension changing his posture.
Before he
could strike, however, the path was blocked.
Emmett stood in Tristan’s place.
His hand wrapped
around Terric’s throat, rapidly cutting off
his air. Terric’s eyes
went flat, then the red deepened, and the two began to
struggle. Tristan had been shoved to the side and
stood
silently, watching the pair. He knew far more was
going on
beyond what he could see or sense. The struggle was
nearly
palpable, muscles were straining, he could see the
tendons in
Emmett’s neck stand out as he strained
to maintain his grip
on Terric, and Terric’s face was
red from the exertion of
trying to drag air into his lungs. That was nothing
compared
to the waves of psychic energy bouncing back and forth
between the two, however. It gave Tristan a headache,
so he
could only imagine what it felt like to those two.
Emmett clamped down on his anger, keeping the task at
hand impersonal. Well, as much as he could. It pissed
him off
to see Terric wasting his gifts, and even though time
was an
unlimited resource for the likes of them, he hated
that the
shifter demon was wasting time pretending to be
something
he wasn’t. ©DS Kenn, Immortal Isle (Set
Adrift).
The book is available on Smashwords, Amazon, B&N and Createspace Direct (for print).
DS Kenn is offering to do an eBook giveaway, randomly selected, so please leave a comment below! :)
Remember:
Previously I have hosted Sue Brown, Jeff Adams, Gregory Payne, Chris Shirley, and Tammy Middleton.
>>>>>>
Names Can Never Hurt Me from Dreamspinner Press is currently #9 on their Best Seller List.
If you are going to GRL, you can PRE-ORDER paperbacks of any of my books and I will bring them to you in Chicago to sign :) I have an updated the form HERE, but it only tells me what to bring not who ordered it. Sending a payment through Paypal with a note works best. I will message you back to let you know I got the payment and I know what to bring. Thanks to Jason and Lauren for sending me a note attached :) PAYPAL: writerwadekelly@gmail.com cost is $14.50 for any paperback of mine. See you in Chicago!
I am on Multitasking Momma's blog today and the rest of my tour concludes next week:
August 25 - Rainbow Gold Reviews
August 26 - Tammmy Middleton's blog
August 27 - back at Joyfully Jay
I found this interview very interesting and gaining a bit more knowledge about the author and their wonderful new paranormal story, its fascination characters, the inspiration behind the book and its characters and advice to aspiring authors, which very enlightening and very helpful. I also enjoyed the extract and the knowledge that this would be part of a series.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I wonder if the character called Chris is going to get a story and if it will be full of angst and be him needing redemption when he meets his bonded mate and the trials they have to go through for final happiness, perhaps?
Thank you for a chance to win this book, I love the sound of this book and the series it will belong to :)
Hey Sula! You win, I just need your email address. Send it to setadrift@outlook.com. Thanks for commenting ;) it will be very interesting to see how Chris' story plays out. You will either despise him or want to save him.
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