Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Kally Jo Surbeck

Interview With Kally Jo Surbeck:

Welcome to Romance at Heart’s grilling of the author. I am glad that you could take the time to answer our questions. I with you the best with your recent Release, For The Love Of... and hope it does well for you.

- Please tell us about your latest book.

Deep Breath. I am trying to think of what my latest book is. 2007 and 2008 are looking to be pretty busy for me. It seems most of the ones coming out in the near future are my high fantasy work with romantic elements. Too much romance to be just fantasy. Too little to be only romance.

No Neutral Ground, Book I of the Such As These Trilogy from New Concepts Publishing has recently been released as has the anthology I was thrilled to be a part of Tempting Fate from Phaze. My story The Awakening was one of four with fellow authors: Melissa Schroeder, Rena Marks, Kara Fey.

Sudden Fall, Book I Yadderwal Balance series. Some readers might remember the name this story was my RT 4.5 review. It has been taken, re-edited, expanded and will be released from Samhain Publishing this spring.

Whispered Promise, Book II Yadderwal Balance series. Much like Sudden Fall, Fionn and Tannah’s story has been expanded and modified and will be released Fall 2007 from Samhain Publishing.

- What can we expect from you in the future?

The future is always so uncertain. I would like to finish my three series: Luck Of The Irish, Such As These, and Yadderwal Balance. Also, in the spring of 2008 Melissa Schroeder and I have a futuristic action/adventure world coming out called Purgatory. We are both really psyched about that.

- How do we find out about you and your books?

Please come visit my website kallyjosurbeck.com.

- How may readers contact you?

Let’ see:
e-mail: ksurbeck@yahoo.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/kjwrite
Yahoogroup: KallyJoSurbeckAuthor_group-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Website: www.KallyJoSurbeck.com

- Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader?

It’s a tough call. I have a truly wonderful set of fan/friends. I call them that, because that is how I see them. We spend a lot of time joking about anything other than my writing on my loop. There are history discussions, joke, and just a very relaxed atmosphere. They give me a lot of love and encouragement. And almost every single day there is something one of them says that has me in a fit of laughter.

I guess I would have to say when a reader wrote in and told me her husband had really been on her about her reading romance, about how it was all froufrou and fluff. He said that romance novels were a waste. He’d really been beating her down. She bought my book not knowing me. Not knowing about my writing style. What she did know was that the cover said I was award winning, which was respectable and that the cover while a bit sexy wasn’t one that her husband would immediately think of as romance. As many of us do, she had the book in the bathroom and her hubby picked it up for a distraction. You see where this is going? He came out telling her how much he loved it. It was then she showed him my website and my affiliations in the romance genre. She said he has never again bad-mouthed romance.

ONE DOWN – several million to go!

- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?

I’m sure they influence everyone. We all just process it differently. Just as every day paints our lives, each conversation paints our mind.

- Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader?

I think the best comment I have ever received was that Mac, the heroine in FOR THE LOVE OF… inspired the reader to be true to herself. I thought that was great.

- Why did you decide to write romance novels?

What made me start is not what made me continue. Since I’ve been writing a bit and done a number of interviews, I’ll go with the second. I write romance because I believe in love. I believe in hope. I believe in second chances and redemption. That is why I write romance.

- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

I don’t think I could help but to write little bits of things I know or have an interested in, but the characters are not me, not how I’d behave. That is the joy of characters. As you write, you discover who your characters are. And they are people. Definite tastes and speech patterns. They are full fledged (if constructed well) people.

- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?

I sent it in because I had a request. Not a very interesting story. I decided in June of 2000 that I was going to pursue this. I signed on with CRW and RWA and took off for Nationals in DC. Had an appointment and my work was requested…I was off.

- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?

That completely depends. A few months. Fastest full length was an 8 week power write, but I think 3 months could work.

- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?

I suffer from migraines and some neck and back pain that are the result of an auto accident. While I would love to work a set schedule, I can’t. So, I go more with the flow. Not by nature of my personality, but rather circumstance has forced me to modify my life.

- What is your writing routine??

Take time where I can. Most of my work is done at night. I love the night. The cool air, the stillness. Everyone else is down and I can work.

- What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?

I think at times there is some passive aggressive behavior. My schedule has allowed a lot of freedom, but when I write, I do my very best to buckle down and write. People forget that I need the me time to do that. “Well, why can’t you just come out here for 10 minutes?” The answer is painfully simple – I lose my train of thought, then have to re-immerse myself in the story. It’s time consuming. But for the most part, they are good. I shut off the phones, lock the doors, and get busy.

- Do you feel humour is important in women's fiction and why?

I do. I think laughter is a survival mechanism. As I work on this, I have been looking at all my books on the keep shelves, romance or no and I can’t name one that doesn’t have a form of levity somewhere in its pages. Homour is a part of our lives and our lives are reflected in what we read, what we watch and what we surround ourselves with. So, ah, yes. Important.

- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?

I spend time with my family and friends. I change the environment. Some days I do absolutely nothing. I make it a cinema day and see movies. Just hang out and let my brain breathe.

- Where do your ideas come from?

The deep well of my mind.

- Do you feel humour is important in women's fiction and why??

I think it is vital. Why? Because I don’t think women laugh enough. For too long the exposure women have had is other women being catty or snippy. That is only one form of humor, but there is so much humor (that does not hurt or debase) out there in the world, that can help lower the tension levels. Humor heals.

- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?

I am a big fan of sex. Oh dear! That sounds wrong, but I am a proponent of… I think that just like everything else, the amount of sex, physical contact, etc, should fit the story and the characters. If the author is true to the characters – thumbs up! If the sex distracts from the story, I don’t like it.

- What kind of research do you do?

Research of all sorts. I am a research fiend. I can lose days studying up on things. I conduct interviews, search the net, visit the library. Lots and lots of reference books. I subscribe to several magazines and I am the envy of my male friends for my cable package. Phone interviews. Internet. Face to face. Library. Anything I can. It’s cool (so I’m a tad bit of a nerd).

- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?

I have been blessed to write several stories in a couple different genres. I am working on some chick-lit/mainstream works.

- What are some of your favorite things to do?

I love games. Cards, gameboard (they do still exist), my Xbox. I am an avid reader. I like to travel whenever time and resources allow. The cinema. Also, anything that has to do with water. You put me on a boat or a tube…even just let me play in it, I’m happy....

- Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)

I am the baby of 5. 2 brothers 2 sisters. I have been incredibly blessed with the majority of my family. Nothing is ever perfect, but family is family…and it’s important. Hobbies. I read. Love movies. Really like my X-Box. I like to fish. I do not like to clean them or eat them…I like lying out on a boat and enjoying the motion of the water rocking the boat. I have many experiences and things I have been involved in. I have many degrees in varying fields.

- Fill in the blank favorites –

Dessert.- I’m not a big dessert person, but I like: Lemon Meringue, French Silk, Cheesecake, I’d rather drink more soda.
City.- I can’t name one. I have a special love for Ft. Collins since I grew up there.
Season – Spring I love rain and thunder storms. The fresh smell after the rain. Fog. The beauty.
Type of hero – strong, intelligent, humorous, not needy, independent.
Type of heroine - strong, intelligent, humorous, not clingy, not needy, independent.

- Do you have a favorite author?

It’s hard to choose one: The currently being read pile is: C.J. Barry. Sherrilyn Keynon. Karen Marie Moning. Christina Dodd. Christine Feehan. Pamela Clare. Robin D Owens, and Glenna McReynolds.
Favorite book? I cannot choose one book.

- Who are some of your favorite authors?

Other authors: Julie Garwood, James Patterson, Patrica Cromwell, Kat Martin, Steven King, Clare Delacriox, Theresa Allan, Melissa Schroeder, Sharon Mignerey, Amanda Quick

- Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?

Kat Martin, Larry Martin, Sharon Mignerey, Julie Garwood, Maggie Osborne

- Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc?

I am. RWA, CRW, CRW Sisterhood, KoD, RBL, PPRWA, RWA Online. I used to be a part of a critique group, but when I moved the physical distance made that impossible. So now I have a couple crit partners.

- What do you think of critique groups in general?

I think if you can find people with similar goals, who are actually pursuing it, they can be great. Be careful of the snippy, jealous natured souls. And know that no one. Not you. Not the editor. No one has all the answers. Take what you can and what you think would be useful, then pitch the rest.

- Where do you see yourself in five years?

I hope print published with several hundred or more people who have read and enjoyed my work.

- How long have you been writing - have you always wanted to be a writer?

First poem sold when I was 12, but I started novel writing in 2000.

- How many books have you written, how many have been published?

Several are being published this year, and Sudden Fall is being re edited and re-released. I still have several others in the tub.

- After you've written your book and it's been published, do you ever buy it and read it?

Yes I would. Not only to have it, but it’s different to read it as a reader and not the creator.

- Among your own books, have you a favorite book?

That is hard. I like everyone differently. LOL did that sounds like a parent? And the genres are so different. I can’t pick. Favorite hero or heroine? I cannot choose – how about you choose your favorite?

- What book for you has been the easiest to write?

The easiest was For The Love Of… Mackenzie was very vocal and wanted this out ASAP. The hardest? Abigail’s story – simply because I spent so much time writing a 400 page back story first. The most fun? I’ve enjoyed them all but Blinded makes me laugh…a lot.

- Which comes first, the story, the characters, or the setting?

I am a character person 100%.

- What are the elements of a great romance for you?

That I like to read or that I’m holding out for? J Elements: Overcoming obstacles, honor, respect, loyalty, proving commitment and desire.

- What is the hardest part of writing/the easiest?

The hardest part is keeping my butt in the chair. ADD can make me roam. Not just that when there is pain I have to limit my time sitting, standing… Oh yeah, and I don’t type as fast as I think. If someone has a machine for that, clue me in!

- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?

I once made the unfortunate mistake of trying to alter a character’s course. She had to have a little talk with me explaining the book was her story, not mine, to back up, and got take notes. Since the, we’ve all gotten along famously.

- Have you experienced writer's block---> If so, how did you work through it?

The only thing I can do. Give it time. I work on another project until the block is gone.

- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

Hands down, I have to say knowing that someone else, even if it’s only one person will get to share and experience the lives of my characters. Get a little enjoyment, that’s priceless. Don’t get me wrong $$ would be nice too, but…

- If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?

I honestly don’t know

- Any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Try. Never Give Up – Never Surrender!

- What question would you love to answer that I didn't ask? ?

I think you pretty much covered it! Thank you.

Thank You Kally Jo for taking this time from your busy schedule to spend with us here at Romance at Heart. I know we will all be waiting and watching to see what comes from your pen next.

Yours in good reading,
Rose!

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