• On Writing and Being Published
  • When did you first think about writing romance and what prompted you to submit your first manuscript?
  • Was it accepted or did you go back to the drawing board a few times?
  • Tell us a little about your new book, PROJECT DADDY.
  • Having a first novel published has to be exciting and scary all at once. Please share a bit of the experience for us.
  • How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
• 
  About Kate
  • What other jobs did you have before becoming a writer?
  • What books do you read and what authors?
  • What type of writing routine, if any, do you work with?
  • What sort of things do you do in your spare time? Any hobbies?
  • What's up next for you?

On Writing and Being Published

When did you first think about writing romance and what prompted you to submit your first manuscript?

I decided to become a writer four years ago. I wanted to change my career and writing seemed the obvious choice. I picked romance because

1. romance sales top over one billion dollars a year, better than most other genres and

2. I love happy endings.

What prompted me to submit? Well, I wanted to make a living as a writer. That's hard to do unless you actually try to get published.

Was it accepted or did you go back to the drawing board a few times?

My first published book, PROJECT DADDY, sold as it was. My editor asked for a few revisions—minor stuff really.

Tell us a little about your new book, PROJECT DADDY.

In short, it's about finding the perfect sperm.

Having a first novel published has to be exciting and scary all at once. Please share a bit of the experience for us.

Where to start? It's been a whirlwind. PROJECT DADDY is coming out nine months after we accepted the deal, which is fast. Really fast.

There's a cycle you go through—shock, disbelief, joy, utter terror, and gnawing worry. Once you get past those steps, there's peace and satisfaction that you've accomplished what you set out to do. I'm somewhere between utter terror and gnawing worry.

How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

My beloved, Nate, likes to warn people to be careful of what they say around me because it may end up in a book. Pout. I don't think I'm that bad.

Writing is like having children. Your characters have bits of your personality and some of your quirks, but really they're their own people.

About Kate

What other jobs did you have before becoming a writer?

I worked in technology. Specifically, I handled worldwide client relations for technology companies. I've also done some teaching and Web-related work.

What books do you read and what authors?

I read everything, and I read a lot. It's not uncommon for me to read five to ten books a week. Right now I'm reading the Lydia Chin series by S.J. Rozan. I've been reading a lot of historicals and romantica too. You can get more of an idea of the books I like by checking out my books area.

What type of writing routine, if any, do you work with?

On a typical morning, I head to a café and write five pages. That takes me anywhere from less than an hour to over two because projects don't always go as smoothly as they should.

I never write at home. I just can't. I like having people milling around. (Okay—to be honest, if I stay at home I read craigslist Missed Connections instead of working like I'm supposed to.)

I'll write another five pages in the early evening, usually at my favorite teahouse. Or a wine bar, if I'm feeling saucy.

What sort of things do you do in your spare time? Any hobbies?

I love to eat. And drink wine. Consequently, I work out a lot. Kung Fu is a big part of my life as well. I've been studying it for ten years. I also practice Tai Chi.

But my favorite thing in the whole world is to take naps. I'm really good at it too.

What's up next for you?

The New York Times Bestseller List. And a trip to Paris to stock up on lingerie and socks.