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Kit, welcome to TRR! Tell us about yourself. I grew up on a dairy farm in central PA with four siblings, which including millking cows and bailing hay. I really miss those days. (And when I was a teen-ager, never thought I'd say those words!) I have a BA in English Literature (probably no surprise there), have been a meeting planner for many years and have always done some kind of writing on the side (poetry and an unpolished manuscript). Fast forward to 2007, where I live outside of Philadelphia and the polished manuscript is accepted by Kensington. Are you coming to romance writing from another job? I'm planning to change careers to become a teacher and still write. No stopping me now! What led you to write romance? I started my love affair with romances when I was a teen-ager and read first, the colored HQNs, then the white ones. Up next was Kathleen Woodiwiss. I think that name speaks for itself. I wish I could thank all those wonderful authors who gave me such enjoyment from their books. Tell us about your road to publication. Although I finished my first book in 1993 and received one rejection (a very nice- here's-what-you-need-to-do letter) from a publisher, I was tired of writing and researching and gave myself a 14 year break - yeah, kinda long. Then my sister-in-law, Alice, got me interested in revisiting my first manuscript, which became my first published book, "The Notorious Bridegroom." What kind of research was involved for your first book? I spent over three years mostly at the University of Delaware library on weekends prior to the internet doing the research! My love of the Georgian/Regency period makes research easy and interesting. It becomes a part of my writing because I can feel it and hear it instinctively. (I hope that doesn't sound too corny.) Tell us about your debut book. My premise started with "what if SHE thought HE was a SPY and HE thought SHE was a SPY?" When I learned Napoleon planned to invade England between 1803-1805, there was my plot: Stop the French spies from invading England. Then everything else fell into place such as our hero, Bryce, the earl of Londringham, who IS an English spy; Miss Patience Mandeley who spies on Bryce, even though she hasn't the faintest idea what she's doing, and the rest of the colorful characters who meander through the story. It was a lot of fun to write. Who are your influences as a writer? For romance writers, there is Amanda Quick (Jayne Ann Krentz) and Teresa Medeiros, among many many other wonderful ones. For non-romance, there is Mary Shelley, Willa Cather, F.Scott Fitzgerald, Jane Austen, and the list goes on. What does your family think of having a published romance author in their midst? My family (Mom and siblings) , husband Frank, and many relatives and friends are incredibly supportive and very happy for me. I want them to share in everything that I experience. Without them and their love, I probably wouldn't be the writer that I am. The person that I am. Tell us about plans for future books. My next book, "The Vengeful Bridegroom" is scheduled for release by Zebra in the fall of 2010. Although the title is similar, it is not a sequel. I've written in some of the secondary characters from the first book and from my third book and given them more "face time," but it's only to add and support the plot and my hero and heroine. I've just finished my third manuscript, "The Unexpected Bridegroom," and again, it's not a sequel, but you'll recognize some of the characters. This last manuscript is uncontracted at this time. How can readers get in touch with you? Drop me line at my website: www.kitdonner.com or friend me on Facebook or Twitter. Also, remember to view my very special booktrailer created by my sister, Kim. Here's the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNn0LBj966g Kit, thanks for joining us, and best of luck with yoru books!
August 16, 2009 |
