Kelly has published five books, our conversation went on many facets of writings. However, one point she has discussed was strategic book marketing, most of the author forget or ignore on this part.
Award-winning author Kelly Miller is a native Californian and Anglophile, who made her first visit to England in 2019. When not pondering a plot point or a turn of phrase, she can be found playing the piano, singing, or walking her dogs. Kelly Miller resides in Silicon Valley with her husband, daughter, and their many pets. Kelly discussed on book marketing to writer’s block and many other things.
How do you get an inspiration for starting a new writing project? Does travelling involve finding a new way to write more about it?
Ideas might come to me anytime and anywhere. I have not traveled much, so I would not say that traveling has inspired my writing yet. However, I took a trip to England in 2019 specifically to visit locations I had written about in my books or manuscripts. By seeing these places, I was able to ensure I captured them in my books as accurately as possible. My trip included Bath, which is featured in “Captive Hearts,” Derbyshire, the location for “Accusing Mr. Darcy,” & “Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley,” and London, the location for “Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match.”
How does the idea of ‘Accusing Mr. Darcy, a Pride, and Prejudice Regency’ came into your mind for the first time for writing? Please share with us that moments.
“Accusing Mr. Darcy” stands out from my other books for being my only romance/murder mystery, at least so far. From childhood, I have loved mysteries and read authors like Agatha Christie, Ruth Rendell. I also loved Alfred Hitchcock‘s anthologies, not to mention his movies. So, I wanted to combine a “Pride & Prejudice” romance with a murder mystery similar to those written by Agatha Christie, with a bit of influence from Alfred Hitchcock. Since this was always going to be very different from most Austenesque novels, I changed Elizabeth Bennet’s background a bit and focused on a number of original characters. The story centers around a house party in Derbyshire, and the guest visit real locations in the Peak District that existed in the Regency era and remain to this day.
What was your first award and for what book you have received. Let our readers know your hard work behind the success.
“Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley” is my first award-winning book. I entered it into a number of award contests as a way to get more attention on the book. The first recognition it received was to be named as a finalist in the Book Excellence Awards. It went on to win first place in the Royal Dragonfly Awards and Indies Today Awards and to be named a finalist in the International Book Awards. Since this is my first published book, and I believe my writing has improved since then, it is a great honor to have this recognition. I give much credit to my line editor, Carol Bowes, for helping me improve the story and for guiding my growth as a writer.
The book marketing strategy is as important as writing your debut book. However, before one start to hover over another writing ideas for next book, one need to concentrate on the existing book and its marketing strategy.
What is your turn around time for writing a book, and how do you achieve it?
When I first started writing, I could complete a new story in about a month. Now, everything has changed! I spent a ton of time each day on social media to market my books and connect with other writers, mostly on Twitter. It’s quite overwhelming, and yet also rewarding. I have met so many wonder people on social media! This definitely takes away from my writing/editing time, but I consider it necessary; there is no use writing a book if no one will read it, and marketing helps ensure your book will be seen. So now, it takes longer for me to write a new story; several months at least.
Did you face any writer’s blocks and If yes, how did you overcome them? Any incident you would like to talk about it.
I am currently editing my next release, “The Dutiful Son,” a Regency “Pride & Prejudice” variation in which Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy’s father is still living; though the elder Mr. Darcy is a kind-hearted man, he does not approve of Miss Elizabeth Bennet as a match for his son.
When I was writing this manuscript, I had the beginning and middle in my head, and I knew how it would end, but I had no idea of what to write for the final 3rd part of the story. But I just kept writing and turned many possibilities in my mind until I came upon the answers. I don’t know if that was a writer’s block, but for several months I was not certain whether or not I would complete the story. I am pleased to say that I am very happy with how it turned out.
How long do you rest your in progress book for rewrite? It is true, more the rest more the ideas. What do you think about rewrite and your recent experiences?
I do not always let a project rest; it depends on how many other things I have going on. To an extent, I prefer to keep going over a project while the details are fresh in my mind. But at times, I am forced to let one thing go for a while. So, it usually works out that my projects get rested, though not necessarily by my design.
