Carol Kilgore Gives Writing Advice and Christian Bale!

Today I have the always interesting and insightful, Carol Kilgore. Her book, In Name Only, has recently debuted and she's here to give us some insights into the story and her writing.

(1) When did you come up with Summer and Gabe's story and what prompted it?

Thanks for hosting me, Clarissa. I'm looking forward to blogging with you. 

I first came up with Summer and Gabe's story about five years ago. I had written a short story about a young woman who finds herself in the Federal Witness Security Program and sold it to a magazine that is now defunct. A year or so later, I found a second home for the same story with an online zine, which is also no longer in existence. When I placed the story the second time, I started wondering what would have happened to the character, and IN NAME ONLY was born. The original short story has been reworked and retitled to NEVER SAY MY NAME and is now the mini-prequel for the novel.

(2) In your book you featured arson and the Witness Protection Program. What sort of research did you have to conduct?

I started by conducting research on firefighters and firefighting. I read articles online and reached out to other writers I knew. One of the writers was the daughter of a retired firefighter, so I asked him all the things I knew at that point to ask. He gave me answers plus terms that firefighters use, sort of firefighter jargon. Then I talked directly to firefighters with the Corpus Christi Fire Department to learn the structure of their department, how their shifts were constructed, things like that. Most importantly, I talked to a writer/psychologist who gave me the basic overall psychological profile of an arsonist. Her help let me add several additional layers to this character.

(3) I know you live in Texas but what made you choose Padre Island as your setting?

I love Padre Island. When I was a kid, our family went camping there in the summers. These trips are stories in themselves. When I started thinking about IN NAME ONLY, we lived near Corpus Christi Bay, just inland from Padre Island. So I seized the opportunity to write about one of my favorite places.

(4) What are some of your worst writing distractions?

Our dogs. Without question. We have two extremely smart herding dogs. They're like having two toddlers in the house and underfoot 24/7. Two LOUD and messy, but very loving, toddlers.

(5) Any writing tips or techniques or words of wisdom you want to share with us? How about a favorite writing quote?

Write from your heart. If you don't fall in love with your characters and story, no one else will.  

Edit from your brain. Get rid of all the things that don't pertain to this particular story and tighten your prose so that readers experience and understand the real story you're telling.

I love reading writing quotes, and nearly all of them inspire me. But can I remember one at will? Of course not! I do recall a cartoon with a writer's muse aiming a gun at the writer's head and saying, "Write!"
Taped to the bottom of my monitor is a phrase I typed so I see it every day: "Just write the [expletive] thing." It helps to keep me focused and on track, especially when things get crazy.

(6) Which authors inspired you to write this book?

Every author I've ever read.

 (7) What other books within your genre would you compare it to? Or, readers of which books would enjoy yours?

This is a difficult question for me. I'm not an analytical person. My books are a blend of genres, so I guess it's best not to compare but to give you current genre writers who have most impacted the way I write. This is not to say that I'm comparing my writing or my stories to theirs. Readers may find certain elements of their writing in my novels.

Please remember, these are bestselling authors who have published many books. I'm a newbie.

Linda Howard's characters often find humor in everyday situations as well as strange places. So do mine. I think we must share a similar sense of humor.

Lisa Scottoline writes strong, independent female protagonists with an ensemble cast. She's an All-Star. I'm still in the minors.

Those of you who've read IN NAME ONLY, how would you answer this question? As you can see, I need help here. Warning: I may steal your answer the next time someone asks!

(8) If you had to pick actors to play your characters in a movie rendition, who would you choose?

I never thought about this. So I went over to IMDB and looked around. It's a good thing I'm not a casting director is all I can say. After a good bit of time, I chose for Summer: Charlize Theron. After her hair grows back. And for Gabe: Christian Bale--tall, dark and handsome plus intense and sexy!

Do you like my choices? Who would you choose?

No home. No family. No place to hide. For Summer Newcombe, that's only the beginning.

The night Summer escapes from a burning Padre Island eatery and discovers the arsonist is stalking her, is the same night she meets Fire Captain Gabriel Duran. As much as she's attracted to Gabe, five years in the Federal Witness Security Program because of her father’s testimony against a mob boss have taught her the importance of being alone and invisible.

No matter how much she yearns for a real home, Summer relinquished that option the night she killed the man who murdered her father. But Gabe breaks down her guard and places both of them in danger. Summer has vowed never to kill again, but she's frantic she'll cost Gabe his life unless she stops running and fights for the future she wants with the man she loves.

Carol Kilgore is a Texas native who has lived in locations across the U.S. as the wife of a Coast Guard officer. Back under the hot Texas sun in San Antonio, Carol writes a blend of mystery, suspense, and romance she calls Crime Fiction with a Kiss. She and her husband share their home and patio with two active herding dogs, and every so often the dogs let them sit on the sofa.

Learn more about Carol and follow her here:
Blog: http://www.underthetikihut.blogspot.com

Website: http://www.carolkilgore.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carolkilgore.author
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/#!/carol_kilgore
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6094110.Carol_Kilgore

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/author/ckilgore