Spotlight on Kim Lenox
Friday, October 17th, 2008Q:How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing romance for ten years — the same age as my son. I started reading romance novels while I was on maternity leave, and made my first attempt at writing one about six months later.
Q:How long did it take you to publish?
Six years. I sold my first book in 2004.
Q:How many manuscripts do you have hidden away/under the bed/in storage?
One horrible Georgian historical titled, DRAGON’S KISS. The hero was very dark and very tortured, only I never actually figured out why…
Q: Do you have a writing schedule and if so, what is it?
I’ve got a 6 and 10 year old, and I also work a part time job from home for an accident reconstruction firm. Between all of that, I generally write 2-3 hours a day — usually from about 11 – 2. When I get
closer to my deadline, I start to get up an hour early to edit pages, and start writing at night after the kids go to bed, usually from 9-11. During the last two or three weeks of my deadline, I usually get up to write around 5:00, and get to bed around 2:00 a.m. I’m a very slow writer, and my
work requires a lot of revision.
Q: Do you have a critique group? If yes, how many are in the group?
No, I don’t have a critique group. I worked with a critique group for probably the first seven years, and now I prefer to work with no feedback until I’ve finished the book. I have three writer friends who act as “final readers.”
Q: When developing an idea for a new story, which comes first – the plot or the title or the characters?
The characters, and usually the opening scene or inciting incident.
Q: How do you handle new story ideas that pop up when you’re in the middle of a project? (ex: notebook by the bed/separate word file, etc?)
I scribble new story ideas into journals and notebooks.
Q: Have you ever gotten to the middle of a project and got bored or lost your momentum? If so, how did you handle it?
Yes, that’s certainly happened! Usually when I lose sight of the conflict and everyone starts being too
nice and happy. Boring! So I have to go back in and analyze each character’s GMC, and get them back on track. Another thing that helps me is to ask myself the question, “Why do I love this story? Why do I love this chapter? Why do I love this scene?” If I don’t love it, then I need to do something differently.
Q: Finish this sentence: If I could write anything I wanted and knew it would sell, it would be?.
Oh, easy! I’d write a historical set during the French and Indian War. Think LAST OF THE MOHICANS. I
love that time period.
Q: What is the best advice you ever received?
To make every word count. That’s a deceptively simple statement but really — every word, every
phrase we write should have purpose.
Q: What is the worst?
You’ll never sell that book. (I did!)
Q: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
Writing “THE END”. That’s very true! I love my characters, and my books, but writing is very difficult
for me. Lots of blood, sweat and tears. But I’m so proud of the end result. I love having written a book.
Q: What is your least favorite?
I’d have to say getting the first draft onto paper. I enjoy revision so much more.
Q: Which came first for you – the editor or the agent?
Agent
Q: How many contests did you enter before you sold? How many did you final in?
Over the course of six years, I entered about nine or ten different contests. The first two or three, I
scored very low, and in retrospect, I understand why! That was with the under-the-bed book. But
with my second manuscript, I finaled in four contests, and received three requests for fulls. That’s
when I queried agents, listing out the contest finals and the requests, and that’s how I got an
agent.
Q:How do you promote your books?
Primarily through my website. I also send out
postcards and bookmarks to reader events and
bookstores. However, I think a great book brings
the best promotion — word of mouth recommendations.
