Author Spotlight: Kelley Heckart, Historical Fantansy Romance

Good morning, everyone! Good morning, Kelley. Great having you here today.

Great to be here, Dayana. 

Well, might as well get started, shall we? I can't wait to hear all about you and your upcoming releases, Kelley. What inspired you to write your first book?

I had been writing short stories and my Creative Writing teacher encouraged me to turn one of them into a novel. I'm not sure I would have done it without her encouragement.

Sounds like you had wonderful support.  I took creative writing classes in school. I loved them and the teacher.  But I digress...

Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
I write because I love doing it. I wouldn't do it otherwise because writing is the hardest job I have ever had and I make very little money.

Ain't that the truth, LOL  All you newbie writers out there, if you are in this for the money, take heed. It really doesn't work that way for most, though we strive to get our stories told and perhaps recognized by larger circles, most of us just love to tell our stories because we love to. And, at least for me, it's like a stress release, a way to escape life's realities which are not always on the brighter side of the spectrum. I get to live through my characters and their adventures and hopefully so do my readers.
What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used to gain visibility for you and your book(s)?
I am all over the Internet. I have a website, blog, myspace page, Facebook page and fan page. I am on twitter, Goodreads and various other social groups. I also write for two other blogs. I also belong to a bunch of Yahoo groups related to writing and romance books. Promotion takes up a huge amount of my time, but it does pay off.

I do agree with you, Kelley.  I feel the more visible you make yourself the better.  I, as well, try to keep my name out there.  I belong to many of the same venues and love to mingle with my peers.  I love that this craft is a small close knit community and we all are out there helping each other.

What is your favorite holiday? And why?
I love Halloween because of the whole mysterious and frightening nature of it. It's fun to dress up as someone else for one night of the year. Even if I don't go out on that night, I like to pop in a scary movie. I think I like to scare myself.

As everyone is aware, Halloween/Samhain is also my ultimate favorite:)  Good choice, LOL

What type of stories do you like to write and why?
I write Celtic historical romances/fantasy because I am inspired by the ancient Celts and the stories about them, especially the ones about the Irish gods, the Tuatha de Danaan, and the ones about the Irish Fianna, fierce warriors with the hearts of poets. All of these old tales influence me as a writer.

When do you read? Where?
My favorite time to read is early evening and I like to read in bed. I find that to be the most comfortable place to read.

Where did you get the inspiration for (your current book)?

I was researching the Picts and I came across an Irish warlord who had a mysterious past and may have fathered a king of the Picts. It fascinated me and I decided to make him the hero of my latest release, Cat's Curse.

Where do you go to think?
This is a good question. I don't try to think, things just pop into my head in the weirdest places like the shower or when I am cleaning the house. That's usually when I come up with a plot line or fix a plot problem.

Funny you mention that.  The other night I woke up at three or four in the morning with a niggling idea and a phrase running through my mind over and over like a broke record.  So intense I finally had to get up and I began an outline for a new novel and gained a title. So the ideas do just "pop up" at the weirdest times.

Do you have an upcoming release?

My upcoming releases from Awe-Struck are Night's Daughter and Beltaine's Song. Night's Daughter is the prequel to Of Water and Dragons and Ravenwolf and is set amid the battle between the Titans and the Olympic gods. I mix history with Greek/Celtic mythology in this book and draw some parallels that some people might not like. I love stirring up controversy. This unplanned series revolves around reincarnation and enduring love.

The second book in my Dark Goddess trilogy is coming out early next year. Beltaine's Song covers the time when Aedan is finally king of Dal Riata. Of course, being a king isn't an easy task especially with a Dark Goddess trying to destroy you, and having to contend with earthly foes as well. I also introduce another being who is somehow associated with Cat Anna (Cailleach). Their son, Gartnait, is one of the few people who can see her, but she may or may not be a threat. I had a theme going on through this second book that although spring brings about new life, it is also the time when clans battled one another so spring also brings about the harsh sound of the battle horn, and danger. I also have something coming out December 21 from Noble Romance Publishing. My sweet, short story titled A Winter Solstice Kiss is a contemporary paranormal is part of Noble Romance's Christmas/Holiday anthology.

Congratulations on all your releases, Kelley.  You certainly are a busy girl:)  Your books sound wonderfully intriguing.  I will have to put them on my wish list!

Where can we find your upcoming releases? When will they be available?
Night's Daughter will be available sometime in mid 2010. Beltaine's Song is scheduled for early 2010. Both books will be available at the http://www.awe-struck.net/ A Winter Solstice Kiss will be available from http://www.nobleromance.com/ Release dates and links will be postsed on my website at http://www.kelleyheckart.com/

What TV shows do you watch?
I am addicted to the television. My favorite shows right now are Supernatural, Smallville, The Closer, Saving Grace, Monk, Eureka, Warehouse 13, Ghost Whisperer, Bones and How I Met Your Mother. I watch a lot of the VH1 reality shows like Rock of Love and Daisy of Love and write snarky blogs about them on myspace for kicks.

Do you use music as a motivational source when writing?
Yes. This helps me when my muse decides to bail on me. I think the music coaxes him/her out. I haven't decided if my muse is male or female. My favorite music to write to lately is Icelandic Metal like Apocalyptica and Nightwish, but I also like to listen to Celtic music and other rock bands.

Tell us where else to find you.
My links:
http://www.blogger.com/goog_1257939303851

http://www.blogger.com/goog_1257939303851

http://www.blogger.com/goog_1257939303851

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

My book page at Awe-Struck
http://www.king-cart.com/Awe-Struck/category=Kelley+Heckart/exact_match=exact

More about Kelley:

Kelley writes Celtic historical romances with fantasy elements. Her stories reflect her passion for ancient history, storytelling and the supernatural. She is drawn in particular to the ancient Celts who are shrouded in mystery and associated with the otherworldly realm of the Fae. With her pen and paper, she recreates long ago places filled with fierce warriors, bold women, magic, conflict and romance.

Two of her favorite things are sunrises and men in kilts. She can be found online at http://www.kelleyheckart.com/