CC: Today we’re talking to JM Kelley who recently became the proud published author of Drew in Blue a contemporary romance that I simply could not put down. It had me laughing uproariously and marvelling at the journey the characters take to get to their happily ever after. It’s great to have you with us; thanks for taking the time out. JM: Thank you for having me, and thank you for the fabulous comments! CC: Tell us, when and why did you begin writing? Was it a lifelong ambition? JM: I enjoyed writing in school. I distinctly remember my first published piece, which was printed in the local newspaper in the kid's section. The story was essentially, "I want to win the lottery and buy a horsie." I received a dollar for the honor of sharing my brilliance with the town. Okay, that's a stretch, but it was my first taste of writing for an audience, and I was tickled to see it in print. But after school, the real world got in the way and I stopped writing. I missed it terribly and occasionally entertained the notion of trying again, but never saw it through. When my dad died about three years ago, I had a lot to purge emotionally, so I started writing short-stories that were laced with angst. I worked out my grammar and structure issues along the way and got back into the swing of story-structure. Now I know I don't want to let the urge to write hibernate ever again. CC: Is Drew in Blue the first book you’ve written or is there something juicy on the backburner waiting to be reworked for publication? JM: Drew in Blue is the first actual novel I've written. Unless you count the time in grade school where I decided to write the next Sweet Valley High series only to realize all I really did was write the same silly stories with different character names. That was a disaster of epic proportions, and a lesson that I needed to dig much deeper if I were to ever become a writer. I have years worth of plot-bunnies lurking in the recesses of my mind, and they're not even remotely close to the wacky adventures of a set of high-school age twins. Thank goodness. CC: Many people dabble at writing a book and never see it through. When did you first consider yourself a serious writer? JM: I have a short piece entitled Killing Me Softly. I wrote it a while ago, and retooled it a bit and eventually won an award for it at the Pennwriters Conference I attended. That was my first official piece of validation. Basically, I received a certificate, but you'd think it was a Nobel Prize by the way I reacted. Total nervous breakdown, had to exit the ceremonies because I was shaking like a twig. It was strange to get an official notice that hey, somebody out there likes my style. I posted it on my website, and a gentleman sent me a sweet message saying that the story summed up his relationship with his cancer-stricken wife, and it really struck a chord in him. That right there is the best compliment I could ever receive. The idea that I did something that spoke to somebody, anybody. That's what I want to do. Always. CC: What inspired you to write Drew in Blue? JM: I wanted to write a real male character. Somebody with faults and flaws, but with a good heart. My biggest pet peeve as a reader is the hero who always says and does the right thing, and is a little too perfect for his own good. I wanted to create somebody who didn't always take well the slaps and slights life often deals. I want to create characters who are interesting despite their ordinariness. And that's how the character of Drew Doyle came to be, which of course led to the novel, Drew in Blue. CC: Many writers model their characters off celebrities or people they know. Who, if anyone inspired you to create Drew and Kris? JM: Visually, there's a television show character I based Drew on-Luke from Gilmore Girls. I wouldn't say that's who you should picture when you try to visualize Drew, but I think certain aspects of that character can apply a little bit. He was a good model for my brain. Drew is a bit rugged, a little rough around the edges, so there could be comparisons. On the whole, Drew and Kris both probably contain bits and pieces of a lot of people I know, though I don't believe it's anything one could pick out. And there's probably a bit of me in the mix, as well. CC: Tell us about Drew’s journey? He certainly had a steep learning curve. JM: Drew comes across as very self-centered. But the fact of the matter is he's had a rough life. It's not that he wants to be a recluse, he was just dealt a really rotten hand of cards. He had very little he could consider sanctuary and growing up without a steady source of love and comfort, he detached from the world around him. His most glaring faults ... aren't really his fault. They were born out of a need to protect his own heart from further hurt. Underneath it all, Drew is a sensitive man with a big heart. He just doesn't know how to use it. I think the introduction of Nick does force him to take responsibility for himself, responsibility he didn't quite step up to at first, but he has the courage to actually become a father. The one thing in the world he can't possibly relate to, and he steps up to the challenge when his boy needs him most. And his experience with Nick challenges him even further to open his heart to being loved. I think Drew's antagonists are his own fear and insecurities. And his story is about how he fights back against his personal demons to achieve the life he always wanted. CC: There are some hilarious scenes in Drew in Blue. Are they based on real life? JM: I definitely drew inspiration from some experiences and interactions I've had in the past. And there's a portion of a conversation in the book that actually took place between me and my best friend from a particularly silly instant messenger exchange. I asked for her okay to use it, because I just couldn't resist having a nugget of our friendship noted for posterity. It was quite true to the friendship of Kris and Drew, as well, so I'm really happy to have included it. CC: I love Drew’s quirky personality and the fact that the book is written from his point of view. Was it difficult getting into the mind of a man? Was there research involved in getting into his head? JM: Getting into the mind of a man and sticking with it is hard, but I've been told I have a strangely male world-view. I have three older brothers, so I suppose I'm not as feminine as I could be. However, there were many times I had to analyze a situation and realized I was applying a female perspective. I took the observer role while I was writing, making sure I paid attention to the words and actions of the men in my life, and even those of total strangers whenever I was out and about. CC: What was the most challenging part of writing Drew in Blue? JM: The male perspective was definitely the hardest in terms of the actual writing. Getting over my own insecurities and self-doubt was a tremendous challenge, though. I had a lot of "what are you thinking??" moments. Wasn't sure I could get to the end. Felt the sting of agent rejection. Luckily, the stubbornness I'm mired in won out, and I kept pushing through until I got Drew published. CC: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in Drew in Blue? JM: I'm sure ten years from now, I'll take a grammatical comb to Drew and shudder, but as for story? No way. I'm so happy I was able to retain the story I wanted to tell. CC: Did you learn anything from writing Drew in Blue? If so what was it? JM: Persistence pays off. There were times I almost threw in the towel-brief moments, but still, they were there. I learned that having a little faith in my own words goes a long way. CC: How long did it take to write Drew in Blue? JM: I think it took about a year and half, including editing. I'm the type who has to walk away from the story for a bit and let it percolate. But I was learning as I was writing, so I know that future works won't take quite as much time. Drew In Blue was a great educational experience. CC: As a busy woman where do you find the time to write? Is there a secret to carving out the time? JM: I was "fortunate" to have been laid off and given a window to write my story. Granted, my checking account won't agree, but it pushed me to finally suck it up and either write that novel, or walk away from a dream I wasn't going to accommodate. But life can make it difficult to have time to yourself. I think as long as you can set aside an hour a day for your writing, you can do it. If you can do more, go for it, but an hour, even though it's not a huge chunk of time, is something. Close out the outside world, concentrate on your story and your thoughts, and dedicate yourself to using every spare second you have. CC: Breaking into the writing market is often incredibly difficult. Tell us about your experiences in getting Drew in Blue published. JM: It really is difficult. I didn't realize how many variations of 'No' agents and publishers could send. The worst part, though, is when you do some reworking and you start getting replies that hint that the agents or publishers do like your story, but the timing isn't right. There are so many frustrations in the process. I finally took a step back and re-assessed what I wanted to accomplish. I don't have delusions of being a millionaire. I don't need to be number one on the New York Times Bestsellers List. I just want to write good stories and have them out there for people to read. Sure, having a breakout novel would be fantastic, but I'm happy where I'm at. I can still live a normal life and write stories on the side. CC: What books if any have most influenced your life and writing most? JM: I always credit To Kill A Mockingbird as the story that solidified my love of the written word. It started a love affair that won't ever end. I read it as a child and was so engrossed in the story and the characters. I'm always on the prowl for the next Scout and Atticus Finch, those characters that haunt me for weeks after I've finished a story. CC: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? JM: Stephen King is a huge influence. Regardless of whether he writes a genre you like, he is a master of character development. The Stand is one of my all-time favorites. I can still visualize Stu and Frannie and Larry and Nick.I can go ten years without reading that story and I still remember everyone. My goal is to create characters of my own who linger so vividly as well. CC:What book are you reading now? JM: I am busy reading through my fellow Lazy Day Publishing author books. I just finished Expectations by Liz Borino, and am about to randomly select the next read. It's a supportive group of authors, and I definitely want to support their fabulous works, too. CC: What are your current projects? Are they top secret or are you able to share them with us? JM: I have a work in progress I'm about mid-way through. It's another contemporary romance set in small-town Pennsylvania, this time in Lancaster County. It's a bit of a prodigal daughter story, with the heroine returning home to care for her gravely ill father, coming to terms with their differences, learning that she wasn't such a black sheep after all, and finding love in the midst of loss. It's a personal story that is meant to pay homage to my own father, who I lost three years ago to cancer. So the writing process is very emotional and I hope the close connection I feel to the subject matter shines through. CC: What advice would you give other writers? JM: Believe in yourself and your story. Never be afraid of anything that improves your work. Put your ego aside when somebody offers truly constructive criticism because they may be on to something. But listen to your gut, too, and don't take no for an answer when you know you've got something to offer. CC: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? JM: Just a tremendous thank you to those who have supported me as I've started down the path of a published writer. I appreciate it so very much and am grateful for all those who have taken a shot with a new author like me! *************  Drew in Blue can be found at the following online stores: Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance OmniLit Also check out JM Kelley’s website at www.jmkelleywrites.com CommentsMon, 03 Jan 2011 15:06:50 Thanks so much for having me, Cleo. I enjoyed the questions! Leave a Reply | ArchivesJanuary 2011 Categories |
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