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The Author Alliance Interview Series continues with K.R. Rowe, author of “Amber and Blue”. The series has covered some talented authors thus far and we are delighted to have Ms. Rowe with us today. Ms. Rowe, welcome to the Author Alliance.
Thank you so much for having me. I feel truly honored to join you.
How did you choose to become an author?
Honestly, I don’t believe I chose to become an author. I think the author chose to be me.
During my teenage years, I wrote poetry and short stories. After I had my son, the challenge of working full time and raising a child took most of my time. Eventually, he grew older and needed me less. I was lost, so I searched for something to do. My first attempted hobby was to play guitar, but I found that a yowling cat at midnight had a much nicer sound. I was painfully bad. I tried my hand at painting, but my happy little animals looked more like the half dead zombie cat from “Pet Cemetery”. My portrait drawing, I have to admit, wasn’t too bad, but it gave me the strong urge to drink a lot of wine and listen to the blues.
Most things in life tend to repeat and the writing bug came calling again. I had a story that rattled around in my brain and kicked on my skull to get out. The characters of Amber and Blue crawled out of my subconscious mind and ran around in my thoughts at three a.m. each night. Finally I gave in and let my fingers tap them to life.
Please describe your most recent release.
My latest release is Amber and Blue. This romance is packed with action and suspense. It pulls you from the banks of the Tennessee River and drops your heart into the war torn streets of Old Montréal. The relationship between Alex and Grace is destined and perfect, until the civil unrest in Canada spills over the borders of the US. When Grace is ripped from Alex’s life by a lunatic, he needs help. He is forced to call on Lucien; a spy, a criminal, and a man he despises. Lucien is driven to help by guilt and obsession, and in the process, he is willing to risk his own life and betray a madman he once called his brother. The final struggle begins when Alex and Lucien face off in a battle that only Grace has the power to end.
Is there a genre that you focus on with your writing?
The primary genre I write at the moment is romance, although it does take a plunge into action and suspense. It also gets a little dark at times. I’ve found that I have an affinity for killing people off, so I’m not totally opposed to dabbling in other genres.
Is there a part of writing that you enjoy the most?
The most exciting piece of the process is writing the first draft. The ideas flow faster than I can type them and it is so much fun to watch the story come together.
Do you have an upcoming project?
My upcoming project is the sequel to Amber and Blue. Amber and Blue II-Victory will reveal just how far human selfish desire can push one of the characters.
Some books are character driven, while others are plot driven. Which describes “Amber and Blue”?
Amber and Blue is a completely character driven novel. Each decision made, whether good or bad has a dramatic effect on the outcome of the story. Lucien, for instance, has a sincere desire to do the right thing but continues to follow the only way of life he’s ever known. The strong criminal influences that surround him often taint his otherwise well-meant decisions.
In “Amber and Blue”, set in the future, you chose to make the villains Canadian. How did that come about? It is an interesting twist.
It does seem a bit ironic because the people of Canada are so friendly. I sat back and took a long look at our neighbors to the north and began to wonder, what if. What if the Québec did become unstable? What if they were abandoned by an unforgiving government? What would happen? Unfortunately, in those types of lawless environments, the crime element thrives and the opportunists crawl out of every dark corner. It’s a sad but natural progression. The most lethal of all of the villains in Amber and Blue; however, was not from Canada at all, he was from Tennessee. The most frightening aspect of this man was that money was not his motivation. He was a vicious predator, and his only desire was to feed his sick twisted hunger.
Some authors use an outline religiously, while others very little. How complex of an outline do you use to write your books? Do you stick to the outline closely?
The outline of Amber and Blue was actually a blank page. The story I had in my head was fluid; it changed and moved as I wrote. The characters drove the story in the direction they wanted it to go. I only followed behind with my fingers on the keyboard. Amber and Blue II-Victory is much the same. It’s a moving work, and ever changing. If I did attempt to make an outline, it would probably end up making a great paper plate for my Cheetos.
What pearls of wisdom do you have to offer budding authors concerning publishing and promoting their own book?
I could go on forever talking about the things that I have learned, but if I can offer just one piece of advice, it would be to have your work edited by a trustworthy and thorough editor. When I read over my own work, I have found that I see with my mind and not with my eyes. I know what is supposed to be there but I don’t see what actually is. Allow a second pair of eyes to go over your work and find what you may have missed. You’ve worked hard, and trust me, you will not regret it.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
If I could fill the world with laughter, the world would change itself.
Karen, it has been a pleasure to have you with us today here at the Author Alliance. We look forward to the sequel to “Amber and Blue”. We hope you will rejoin us at some point in the future.
The Pleasure has been all mine. Thank you again for the wonderful opportunity to be here, and I would be thrilled to join you again.
Give me a shout at AmberAndBlue@gmail.com
