Here you will find interviews that have been conducted about me. I hope you find reading and listening to the interviews as just as much fun as I had in participating in them.
1. Please tell us about your latest release and where we can purchase it.
Better Late Than Never is the story about the “one” who got away and the journey to get that person back.
Kristen Smith enjoys working with children and her lifelong dream of opening her own childcare center has finally come true. Everything couldn’t be more perfect until her high school sweetheart walks through the front door with his son. Randy Stroud was the one that she’d never gotten over. She never understood why he ended their relationship but it was obvious that he had moved on, and she was more than willing to pretend that she had. But Randy can’t let Kristen go again now that he has her back. Will he be able to convince her that it is better late than never?
2. When you first started writing, was it your intent to write interracial romance?
Yes and No. When I first started writing my intent was just to write romance. Along the way my stories became interracial romance because I wanted to write what appealed to me. I also knew the interracial market was starting to pick up. Even though I enjoyed what was reading I wanted to add my own flavor to the interracial romance genre.
3. What do you think of the growing popularity of interracial romance? What is the appeal?
I enjoy writing stories that reflect my own life, so I love the growing popularity of interracial romance. I think people who buy interracial romances are looking for romance novels they can relate to. I think most of the time a book sells because of the cover first, then the blurb. When readers pick up a cover of a book that seems to depict their life or their interest they are more likely to purchase it. I also think there might be a general curiosity of how interracial romance novels read (the plot, the storyline). Either way I’m excited that readers seem to be embracing the movement.
4. Tell us about your first exposure to interracial romance? Was it a book or movie? What was your initial reaction?
Actually my first exposure to interracial romance was personal. I have a very open-minded family so it was family members who brought home a significant other of another race that opened my eyes to the world of interracial dating/romance. I was young at the time and I think children are more receptive and open to accepting things that are not the “norm”. However the experience shaped my own personal life as well, to seeing beyond a persons race. Love is love. Just go for it.
5. What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on the edits for Playing for Keeps, the second book in The Smith Sister Trilogy. I am also releasing a free short story on my website. A new chapter is released every week. This way I have time to keep up with other writings. I have submitted a 6-book series about a hotel mogul family to a few publishers which is half-interracial/multicultural. I also have a 4-book interracial series about four friends who are looking to add a little excitement in their lives that is almost finished (working on the last book in the series at the moment). Lastly I have another 4-book interracial series which needs to be self-edited then I can get it to the publishers as well. In other words, expect to a lot of work coming out soon!
6. Do you have any particular rituals when writing (a special place or time, specific music you listen to, etc.)?
Honestly, I don’t have any rituals. There isn’t a special time or any specific music, lights or candles. However, I am a avid writer so I one of those fanatics who walks around with a notepad and pen everywhere to brainstorm ideas when they come to me. Drives my friends and family crazy but keeps me sane. I will admit that I write all of my stories out long hand. I work full-time at a desk job so staring at the computer and typing after I get home is out. The only exception is when I am finished with the story/series and need to type it up to send it to the publishers. This also helps me when I’m editing because I catch issues when I am typing the story. Sort of a self editing process. I will say I feel most productive at night so that is when I write the most.
7. Who inspires you?
Wow, so many people that I don’t know where to begin but I will do my best to keep it short. I will start with my father, who passed away after the release of Better Late Than Never. I’m just glad that he lived long enough to see my dream become a reality. I know he is Heaven looking down and smiling at his daughter, the bestselling author.
My mom and brother who I dedicated Better Late Than Never to, because my mom is a strong woman who taught me to go after my dreams and my brother because he showed me that it was okay to dream big.
Last but not least my sister and grandmother two inspiring women in their own right because of their ability to overcome adversity.
Click on the link to see the actual interview
