I’ve known Laura for several years as a member of my RWA chapter. Laura is known for her beautiful writing and her generous willingness to help other authors. I’m excited to have her on my blog today!
Laura’s intro:
Hello. My name is Laura Kitchell and I write romance – historical, contemporary, and recently a bit of romantic suspense. I’ve been writing since…gee…forever it seems. I grew serious about getting published and making writing a career about five years ago. In 2008, I had my first story published through MSfiction.com, To Catch a Dream. It’s a short story about a mermaid princess who must retrieve her merprince from the human world and take him to the Sargasso Sea to claim his throne.
My first full length historical novel was released this year. A Journey of the Heart is about the shy and lonely Lady Cytha who is swept into the adventurous world of self-discovery by a mysterious knight at England’s Grand Tournament. There’s a serial killer in the church, scheming evil sisters, and all manner of mischief and mayhem. A Journey of the Heart is published by Tease Publishing, L.L.C. and is available at allromanceebooks.com.
For St. Valentine’s Day, I wrote a romantic suspense short story, Undercover Lover, which was released through Tease Publishing, L.L.C. at allromanceebooks.com. I wrote this as a special tribute to all my fans and friends who have been a tremendous support to me in my writing. Undercover Lover is about an American spy in London who is given her first assignment as a covert lover. Her mark isn’t who she thinks he is, but she doesn’t learn the truth until both of their lives are in danger. Undercover Lover has been the most fun story I’ve written yet. I plan two more spy stories and hope Tease Publishing, L.L.C. will put the three stories into a print anthology. I’m a member of Romance Writers of America and currently serve as president of one of their local chapters, Chesapeake Romance Writers.
Where do we find you on the web?
You can find me on MySpace at myspace.com/laurakitchell
What’s your current project?
I am currently working on two more spy short stories for my anthology. I’m also putting final polish on my most recent finished historical, No Kingdom So Great. I’ve half-written a contemporary romance based on a reality dating show where the heroine falls for the host rather than the bachelor, which I hope to finish before the year is out.
I love the idea of that one, Laura. You have published under a number of genres. Did you choose your genre or did it choose you?
I’ve always loved reading historical romance, and it’s my first writing love. I guess you could say it chose me. I discovered the joy of writing modern-day pieces last year, and have the most fun with them because I don’t have to work as hard to churn out a great story.
I understand. All that research must be demanding. What kind of activities do you do to clear your head?
Walking is effective for me. I’m also an avid movie-watcher.
Would you describe yourself as a spiritual person? How does it come though in your writing?
I’m a very spiritual person. Jesus Christ is my savior, and I owe Him my life. He gave me this amazing ability to write, and I never pass up an opportunity to show my characters turning to Him through prayer in their desperate moments.
What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
When a story is effortless to read and you finish it wishing there was more, some seriously hard work went into it. Not just anyone can pen a story, have it perfect at first draft, and get it published.
I don’t think I know any! 
What advice do you give new writers about rejection letters?
Embrace them. Rejection letters are proof that you’re a working writer – a professional author. Think of them as a matter of odds. Eventually, the odds turn and one of them will come with an offer. Every rejection letter is one step closer to the offer and contract, baby!
When did you attempt your first novel? What’s become of it?
I attempted my first novel the year I married – 1992. I wrote it on a typewriter-style word processor. It was awful. To be honest, I have no clue what happened to it.
Was there a moment that told you “I’m a writer”?
Not that I can recall. I’ve been writing creatively since at least high school. I do, however, remember the moment I decided to pen my first novel. I had been in a car accident that landed me on my back for six months during my last year at university. I had just finished a terribly written historical romance and thought, “I can do better.” So I began that first book – which was hideous. But you know what? I finished that monstrosity and used the experience I gleaned to write a much better next one. With each story I’ve written, I’ve made leaps in my craft.
When you’re reading someone else’s books, what about a man is a turnoff and why?
I hadn’t really thought about it. A man who refuses to make a decision or who gives up the fight to walk away from the black moment makes me want to throw a book against a wall.
How many books a week do you read?
Good gracious, I hardly have time to read for pleasure. I’m lucky to read two books a YEAR for my own entertainment.
lol – I think that’s another thing most people don’t realize about writers!
Just wondering…do you have an ebook reader? What kind?
No. I’m still at the starving artist stage.
Tell us about your writing process. Are you a plotter or pantzer?
I’m actually a combination, believe it or not. When I sit to write a book, I have a basic plot line in my mind. I know how it starts, I know what will happen in the middle, I know what the main points of conflict will be, and how it will end. What I don’t know is how each scene will play out, or what my characters will say to each other. Not knowing the details is what makes writing fun and exciting for me, and my characters never fail to surprise me. Once, I fully plotted a Regency romance. I got three chapters into it and completely lost interest. I’ll never do that again.
If you could be a character in one of your books, who would you choose and why?
Easy. I’d be Jaeda Bennett in Undercover Lover. She’s extremely bright, charming, real, and has mad skills. I want to be her when I grow up.
Don’t forget to check out Laura at myspace.com/laurakitchell
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Pingback on Apr 30th, 2009 at 6:06 am
[...] you’re reading someone else’s books, what about a man is a turnoff and why? Laura Kitchell A man who refuses to make a decision or who gives up the fight to walk away from the black [...]
April 21, 2009 at 11:12 am
A hero who walks away from the black moment? Bah! I’m with you. Throw that book against the wall.
April 21, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Exactly. And why would any writer do that? I’ve read so-called heroes who tucked tail and ran, requiring the heroine to seek them out after saving the day alone. I can understand a writer’s desire to write a kick-butt heroine who can take care of herself, by why do it at the expense of the hero?