Kimberly Llewellyn is the author of five best selling romantic comedies, she also divides her time between giving writing workshops, writing articles, and she’s even been known to show up on television now and then! So we were pleased when she took time out of her busy schedule to give us a few minutes of her time. So as always, without further introduction we present another author’s visit…

Kimberly: My love of writing and editing led me into publishing-related jobs in the corporate world. I was an English major with a concentration in Media. My college didn’t offer Journalism, but that was okay, because I always knew I wanted to write novels. In my job searches of the past, I kept my eyes and ears open for writing-related jobs that I’d enjoy, would pay the bills, and let me write fiction in my spare time. This included advertising/marketing, coordinating publishing projects, editing, proposal writing, and working on corporate publications). Writing as a day job teaches you to “show up” at your computer every day, keep a deadline, and just “write”…whether your muse shows up or not. That has transferred over well to my fiction. The key to writing success is sitting in that chair and putting down the words. Every day, if you can.

Are there any particular non-fiction authors that influenced your work here?

Kimberly: My favorite nonfiction authors all happen to teach the craft of writing! Dwight Swain (Techniques of the Selling Writer), Jack Bickham (Writing and Selling Your Novel), and Donald Maass (The Career Novelist, Writing the Breakout Novel) have all influenced me as a writer. Which brings up a very good point. A writer must be a reader! Read everything you can. Fiction and nonfiction!

You heard her! 😉 Get thee to the library, ladies and gents!

Now that I Want to Be an Author, Now What? is out, what can readers and longtime fans expect from you next?

Kimberly: Ohhhh, my newest WIP is a secret!

Aw, please? A hint?

Kimberly: Think, “a dash of mystery, a bit of suspense, lots of intrigue, and plenty of whirlwind romance!” It’s a bit of a departure for me, but I am loving it. And yes, wedding stuff will be in there, too!

But all in all, it’s a new endeavor for you. Cool! We’ll be looking forward to that.

If you weren’t a writer, what career might you have pursued instead?

Kimberly: Supermodel. Heiress. Or wedding planner. Then again, anything in the wedding field, I would have loved. I did work weddings at a banquet hall as a part-time gig for years, and it was a party every weekend!

That does sound like fun!

Are there any other writing secrets or tidbits, maybe something not included in the book that you might like to share with aspiring romance authors?

Kimberly: The secret to writing a romance novel is this: it is all about emotion. The emotional journey between the hero and heroine and how they grow. They must grow and overcome their resistance to love if they are to get together in the end. Are you up for the challenge?

I dunno. What do you say, my dear readers? Gonna try it?

Thank you, Kimberly for taking the time to speak with us today, and good luck with I Want to Be an Author: Now What? And in all you do. We’ll be watching out for you!

Folks, if you’d like to know more about Kimberly’s work, see her website at http://www.kimberlyllewellyn.com/; and don’t forget to check out our review of her latest book I Want to Be an Author: Now What?   Until next time, then, good writing, good luck and thanks for reading! Or if you’d like to get the book, you can find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or any of your local versions of those stores. If it’s not on the shelves, they should be able to order it for you.