Author Interview—Kim Black

Things have been hopping at our house this month, with family visiting from Hawaii and Idaho, and moving my mother-in-law into assisted living. We’ve experienced a lot of fun and some heartache too. Fortunately, there are good times to balance out the challenging ones. That’s life, a mixed bag of emotions and experiences that we’re all muddling through.

Sometimes books are a mixed bag of genres. This week I’m interviewing Kim Black, author of multiple novels including her latest, Drop Dead Dallas. Enjoy the interview!

About the Author

Kim Black is a not-quite-cozy genre mixologist and award-winning author. Texas-born and raised, Kim believes all stories are love stories but enjoys blowing things up, tearing things apart, and fleshing things out on the way to happily ever after. To honor her family and appeal to a broad audience, she keeps her content PG- or PG-13-rated, contributing to her books’ almost cozy feel. She lives in the Texas panhandle with her husband, Riley, and her pit bull, Bonnie.

Interview

Who or what inspires you to write?

My mother began reading to me every night before bed when I was very small. I remember one year (I was probably four) at Christmas, my mother had sewn my brother and me flannel PJs with little lions on them. She read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe to us every night. It was a magical experience, and I never seemed to outgrow it. Then when I was in the third grade, I read Little Women so many times that our school librarian wouldn’t let me check it out again. I was bound and determined to be just like Jo March when I grew up.

Those are some great books, and I imagine they inspired many writers. What is the best thing that has happened because of your writing?

I have been privileged to meet some of the most brilliant writers of our time, some of whom have become dear friends. I genuinely believe authors have such a beautiful community mindset. I love cheering on the successes of others as my fellow writers have cheered and championed me.

The author community is so interesting and inspiring—and helpful too. What is the most difficult thing you have experienced about writing or publishing?

Writing and publishing are very much like giving birth. The process of creating, planning, plotting, composing, formatting, marketing, and promoting is absolutely exhausting. Every step is a challenge, but once I’m finished with a project (do we ever really finish?) I’m anxious to jump right back in and do it again.

Birthing a book is definitely challenging and exhausting. It takes real stamina. What didn’t you do during your writing or publishing journey that you wish you had?

At the beginning of my journey, I hesitated to ask for help from more experienced authors I didn’t know very well. I never wanted to bother them with my “newbie” questions. However, after having published seven novels and meeting so many great authors, I wished I had asked my silly questions. It probably would have saved me a lot of time and trouble.

It can be intimidating to approach other authors with questions, but so many seem willing to help. Do you have a publisher and/or agent, or are you an indie (self-published) or hybrid author?

My first novel, Lydia, Woman of Purple, was initially published through a small press. When they closed, I got my rights back and learned all about indie publishing. All seven of my novels are indie published, but I have a new manuscript, The Traveling Companion, for which I’m querying agents.

How interesting that you’re going from a publisher to indie publishing and back to a publisher. Which genre(s) do you like to write in, and why?

My favorite genre (for reading and writing) is mystery, though I LOVE to mix genres whenever possible. My latest release, Drop Dead Dallas, is a contemporary noir mystery with elements of romance as well. I also have two historical Christian novels and a western sci-fi novel, Shooting Stars Traveling Circus.

Writing in different genres must keep things interesting and prevent burnout from always writing in the same genre. Do you outline your books before you write them?

I like to call myself a “plan-ster” because my outline looks more like a screenplay storyboard. I cast my story, determine the plot and pinch-points, pin down the “acts” and climax, and then let it develop organically from there.

Being a “plan-ster” sounds like it has been successful for you. How do you define success as a writer?

My definition of success has evolved over the years. Originally it was simply to be published—to hold my printed creation in my hand. Then it was to host a successful book signing. Now it is to be able to quit my day job and earn a living with my writing. I always want to keep “success” the next step ahead.

I think many writers have that dream of quitting their day job and writing fulltime. If you could have lunch with any author, who would it be?

This is a tricky question because I admire so many, and I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy lunch or drinks with some fantastic authors. But if I’m being honest, and if I had a time machine, I’d love to have lunch with Agatha Christie. There are so many questions I’d like to ask her.

Agatha Christie was definitely a master of the mystery. She took her readers on so many great capers. Tell us about a great adventure you’ve had.

I’m a big believer in learning new things, no matter how old I get. So, at the age of 53, I went back to school to get my certification in screenwriting. I completed my degree last summer and hope to finish and shop my first screenplay by the end of 2023.

Writing screenplays sounds like great fun. Kim, thank you for sharing some of your thoughts and experiences with us!

Readers, you can find out more about Kim and her books at her website, http://kimblackink.com/.

Ronni Peters has had a tough year since her over-protective Dad passed away, leaving his billion-dollar fortune and his global energy empire in her hands. Still in mourning, Ronni decides to hire her crush, Private Investigator Cotten Hammond, telling him she “feels” like she’s being stalked. It wasn’t true, but what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.

But when he shows her the photographic evidence that she does, in fact, have a stalker, Ronni puts her life in his hands. Together they must expose a cold-blooded killer before becoming the next victims.

Drop Dead Dallas is a contemporary noir mystery set in the historic district of downtown Dallas, Texas, featuring a quirky cast of delightful and deadly characters. The story is inspired by the classic noir novels and movies of the 1930s and ’40s, and the characters are even named after those writers and actors. Ronni Peters -> Veronica Lake + Peter Lorre. Cotten Hammond -> Joseph Cotten + Dashiell Hammett + Raymond Chandler.

Though not as gritty as some of the classics like The Maltese Falcon or The Big Sleep, Dallas is told from Ronni’s (the dame’s) point of view and strives for the same light touch as Dashiell Hammett’s The Thin Man series.

Readers, who are your favorite book characters? Let us know in the comments!

#books, #authors, #authorinterviews, #writing, #mysteries