Interview--KATE PERRY 1

Thanks for being here Kate. It’s a pleasure.

Thanks for having me! This is the best kind of interview--I can stay in my pajamas and no one cares.

#1- Tell us a little about yourself outside of your writing career…

Uh... There's more outside writing?
Wait--give me a second--I'm sure I'll come up with something. Like the fact that I study martial arts. Kung Fu San Soo, specifically, for thirteen years now. And I play golf, although that's a recent phenomenon (watch out, Tiger).
Otherwise, my life is pretty simple. I read all the time, but I also have a pretty active social life. I like to eat, which means I go to the gym a lot. I sit on my porch and blow bubbles. I drink loose leaf tea. I have an odd but endearing fascination for tutus.

#2- You write in contemporary and in the paranormal romance genres. What prompted you to write in two different genres and what challenges have you faced in doing so?

What prompted me? Money. That and the fact that I write fairly quickly, so I need more than one project a year to keep me busy. Boredom and Kate are a dangerous combination. The variety keeps me on my toes too.
As far as challenges in writing two genres, I haven't experienced any. At least I don't think I have. My voice translated naturally to both genres, so neither one was a stretch.

#3- As you know, I reviewed your title Marked by Passion for Bookpleasures and loved it. But how do you handle the negative reviews and critiques you receive?

I find out where the reviewer lives, get out my balaclava and spear, and pay a friendly visit.
Just kidding. For real.
Actually, I usually don't read the reviews--good or bad. But on the few occasions when I do, I look at them objectively and try not to take on any of it, whether it's praise or critique. Letting words pull you can really mess with your head. (That's my martial arts training kicking into gear. Just call me Zen girl.)

#4- I understand that you are a 7th degree black belt and a collector of swords. Could you tell us a bit about that and how, if at all, do you incorporate that into your books?

I love to fight! Kung Fu is a big part of my life. When you study martial arts for a period time, you're bound to acquire a smattering of weapons along the way.
The Guardians of Destiny series came about because I wanted to write about a heroine who kicked ass, Kung Fu style. It evolved from there. Writing fight scenes--totally fun. The scary, baddies-are-closing-in scenes as well as the getting-to-know-you foreplay scenes between the hero and heroine.

What I incorporate into a book depends on my mood. When I wrote MARKED BY PASSION, I had a hankering to write knife fighting scenes. In the next book, CHOSEN BY DESIRE, I wrote in some sword scenes because it gave me an excuse to dust off my own sword.
I've got the urge to write cane into a future book. I love my cane, maybe more than my swords. Don't tell.

#5- What advice would you give to other authors about agents, editors, publishing, and the writing process?

Hold on to your britches--this is going to take a while to answer.
About agents:
Finding an agent is like dating: sometimes you marry your high school sweetheart and sometimes you have to date a few before finding the one that's right for you. If you're thinking of going steady, be clear upfront about what you expect from your partnership. Don't be attached to making the relationship work if you feel deep down in your gut that it's not working for you. Having a bad agent is worse than not having one. Trust me on that.
About editors:
It behooves you to have a happy working relationship with your editor. Your editor is your advocate with your publisher. Let your agent be the bad guy if you're not happy about something. The easier you make your editor's job, the more willing s/he will be to buy more books from you.
About publishing:
It really doesn't make sense. Don't try to figure it out. Learn how to make trends work for you and do your thing.
About writing process:
I write a set number of pages everyday, and I like to have my books done well ahead of my deadlines. But I have friends who binge write right up to the hour their books are due. Just the thought of not writing for weeks and then writing 100 pages in two days makes me want to puke. That's not me.
Your writing process is your own. You can simplify it, but you can't really change it. Identify it, accept what you have to do, and make it happen. (That's not to say you shouldn't try other things. You never know what you might be able to incorporate into your routine.)

#6- Are there any upcoming releases we would like to know about, and could you give us your web site so readers can check it out?

CHOSEN BY DESIRE, the second Guardian book, is coming out in October! Contrary to all the wildly different dates out there. If you want a pithy reminder, you can sign up for my newsletter on my site: www.kateperry.com. The cover and a chapter are also on my site for your pleasure.


#7- This about concludes it. Thank you again for joining us. Is there anything else you would like to share?

Don't eat yellow snow! Oh wait--wrong interview.
Thanks again for having me. If anyone has other questions, fire away. I'll do my best to answer them. I'll even try to be serious about it. Wink.