Kristine Raymond
Brownsville, KY
USA
Good morning, Kristine, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the site that likes art and authors and books. Can you tell us a little bit about what you've written?
To date, I’ve penned the Hidden Springs series – nine historical western romance stories set in a fictional town in Arizona Territory circa the late 1800s; the Celebration series – a trilogy of contemporary romance stories about three childhood friends whose lives are made better (and more interesting) by the three women who capture their hearts; Tempted – a contemporary erotic drama about the consequences that befall a married woman of thirty years when she gives into temptation and has an affair; Seasons of Love – a collection of four, seasonally-themed, happily-ever-after short stories; and ‘write words’ A Year in the Life of an Indie Author - an autobiographical short about (you guessed it!) my first year as an indie author.
Whew! Gives me writer’s cramp just to think about it!
What is your favorite genre to write?
This is the kind of question that has more than one answer. While I’m drawn to historical western romance – that being my favorite time period – quite honestly, my favorite genre is whatever I’m working on at that moment.
What are you working on now?
Well, at the moment, my energies are split between writing a cozy mystery (a new genre for me) and chatting with guests on my recently-launched podcast, Word Play with Kristine Raymond. Both take a lot of time and I’m still working on finding my balance between the two. But I’m having a lot of fun, so that’s what counts!!
Favorite food.
Mushroom pizza.
Tea or coffee?
Tea. Earl Grey, preferably, or any variation of.
Pizza or ice cream?
Don’t you mean ‘and’?
Oh, I knew I liked you! Wine or beer or soda?
Water.
Where would you like to visit?
If we’re talking time travel, the Old West (go figure). In reality, Greece; though I don’t fly and also get seasick so it’s highly unlikely I’ll ever make it there.
Favorite musical artist.
Again with the making me choose just one…lol. My favorite musical artist depends on what I’m in the mood to listen to though I can say that Dan Fogelberg tops the list, as does Ed Sheeran, Kygo, Ludovico Einaudi, Taylor Swift, and 2Cellos.
Do you listen to music when you write? What?
No, I don’t. I need absolute silence when I write.
What makes you laugh?
My hubs and our silly alien kitties.
Favorite work of art or sculpture.
Scott Kim’s Mirror Alphabet.
How old were you when you started writing?
Four or five. Oh, you mean books. Forty-six.
Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write?
I just write. However the scenes unfold in my head, that’s what goes down on paper – figuratively speaking. I rarely write longhand.
Where do you get your inspiration?
From everything. Not to sound trite, but all sorts of things can spark an idea for a story. It’s impossible for me to pinpoint one specific source, though if I could it would make things a whole lot easier.
What do you do when you get a writer's block?
I move on to other projects. Writer’s block used to frustrate me, but I’ve learned my creativity will come back, most likely when I least expect it to, and the words will flow again.
Who is your favorite author?
You and your trick questions! Lol. I have many favorites, among them P.J. Tracy, Sandra Brown, Linda Howard, Dean Koontz, both Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, Karen Robards, James Herriot, and Lavyrle Spencer.
Best book you ever read.
I have an extra copy of Watchers by Dean Koontz stashed in my car in case I ever break down in some remote location and my Kindle dies, but, again, there are too many great books I’ve read to choose one.
Last book you read.
Tailspin by Sandra Brown.
Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
My husband. He believes in me more than I believe in myself. I never would have embarked on this journey without his support and encouragement.
If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
It would be my dad. He passed away almost seven years ago and not a day goes by that I don’t wish for one more opportunity to talk with him and hear his voice.
What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
Don’t wait for the perfect moment to begin – just take the leap. And absorb every piece of information that comes your way…and then do what feels right to you. Own your ideas and your stories and your effort and make the book authentically yours.
Do you have any links for us to follow you?
Buy links
New release
Other Books
Hidden Springs series
Celebration series
