SEVERED THREADS: Interview with Romantic Suspense Author Kaylin McFarren


As many people know, Kaylin McFarren wasn’t born with a pen in hand like so many of her talented fellow authors. However, she has been involved with business and personal writing projects for many years. Her careers have taken her in all directions, ranging from fashion modeling and interior design to office manager and art gallery director. Yet her love of reading and interest in creative writing has remained ever present. As a result of her tapping into her imagination and utilizing her own life experiences, she has earned more than a dozen literary awards. Her first novel, Flaherty’s Crossing was a 2008 finalist in the prestigious RWA® Golden Heart contest and her second book, Severed Threads, has already garnered two first place awards.

Kaylin is a member of RWA, Rose City Romance Writers, and Willamette Writers. She received her AA in Literature at Highline Community College, which originally sparked her passion for writing. In her free time, she also enjoys giving back to the community through participation and support of various educational organizations in the Pacific Northwest, and is currently the president of the Soulful Giving Foundation – a non-profit she and her husband formed to fund expanded research, and the care and treatment of cancer patients and their families.

Her latest book is a romantic suspense titled Severed Threads.

You can visit Kaylin online at www.KaylinMcFarren.com.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/4kaylin
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kaylin.mcfarren
Blog: http://kaylinmcfarren.wordpress.com/

About the Book:

Believing herself responsible for her father’s fatal diving accident, Rachel Lyons has withdrawn from the world and assumed a safe position at a foundation office. When called upon by a museum director to assist her former love interest with the recovery of a cursed relic from a sunken Chinese merchant ship, she has no intention of cooperating – until her brother is kidnapped by a drug-dealing gangster. In order to save him and gain control over her own life, Rachel must not only overcome her greatest fears, but also relive the circumstances that lead to her father’s death.

_________________________

La Interview:

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life!  Now that your book has been published, we’d love to find out more about the process.  Can we begin by having you take us at the beginning?  Where did you come up with the idea to write your book?

I literately dreamed it up from beginning to end, which often happens with the stories I write. But I’ve also been involved in the business of collecting and selling Asian antiques for more than fifteen years. Due to my interest in this field and my fascination with the undersea world, I was inspired to write a story about the recovery of a Chinese concubine's cursed treasure from a sunken ship, which aids in healing a woman's damaged soul. Over the course of four months, I researched scuba diving, trade routes, famous battles, and the natural disasters that befell Spanish galleons during the 15th-17th centuries. My strongest recommendation to any new author: Know your subject well. If you don’t, readers will instantly recognize your inaccuracies and look for inconsistencies in your story.

Q: How hard was it to write a book like this and do you have any tips that you could pass on which would make the journey easier for other writers?

 If you have a vivid imagination, the time to do extensive research, and are open to constructive criticism from fellow authors and critic partners, you have the building blocks necessary to construct a strong, viable story. However, a successful journey depends on your willingness to dedicate your time and energy into perfecting your craft and being aware of your target audience and their specific interests.

Q: Who is your publisher and how did you find them or did you self-publish?

Creative Edge Publishing LLC. I’ve gone the route of soliciting to large publishing houses, worked with a small publisher on my first book, and have now elected to self-publish a new romantic suspense series with my own publishing firm.

Q: Is there anything that surprised you about getting your first book published?

 I was honestly surprised as to how much time and money an author must be willing to commit, even with a large publishing house, in order to gain exposure and shelf space for their novels. They don’t sell themselves and quite often an author’s unrelenting dedication and their personal relationships are the keys to noteworthy endorsements and marketing opportunities.

Q: Can you describe the feeling you had when you saw your published book for the first time?

Thrilled and panicked at the same time. It was great to see my words and thoughts in print but I wasn’t prepared for the cover art my publisher selected. With time I grew to love it but am delighted that I now have complete control over my literary work.

Q: What other books (if any) are you working on and when will they be published?

 I’m currently working on the second installment in the Threads series – Buried Threads – that takes my treasure hunters on a wild adventure in Southeast Asia. I’m hoping to have this book finished and available before Christmas 2012.

Q: Finally, what message (if any) are you trying to get across with your book?

We’re all capable of overcoming obstacles in our lives if we have faith, strength and the willingness to do so.
  
Q: Thank you again for this interview!  Do you have any final words?

Be sure to pick up your copy of Severed Threads on Amazon.com or www.kaylinmcfarren.com today! Thank you.
Watch the Trailer!



1 comment:

  1. Enjoyed the interview. Thanks again! Kaylin :)

    ReplyDelete

Powered by Blogger.