I’m so pleased to welcome one of my favorite local authors to the blog. Kaira Rouda is the author of several books including her two most recent titles, BEST DAY EVER and THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER. Here’s my review of her latest.
I’ve met Kaira several times and she has such a sweet and magnetic happy personality! It’s hard to imagine she has all these dark characters up in her head. I’ve enjoyed following her Washington DC adventures and will be watching to see what she does next.
Please welcome Orange County author Kaira Rouda to the blog and enjoy her fun and insightful interview.
Thank you Kaira, for taking the time to answer our questions!
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Q. Can you describe The Favorite Daughter in three words?
Darkly funny, suspenseful (I hope)
Q. Tell us how you came up with Jane’s character. Do you write out a bio or make a playlist or a Pinterest board?
A. Jane just popped into my head. I don’t make bios or playlists or Pinterest boards for characters…although perhaps I should!
Q. What authors do you like to read? What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?
A. My all time favorites are Shirley Jackson and Eudora Welty. Contemporary author of influence is hands down Susan Isaacs.
Q. What book(s) are on your nightstand to read this summer?
A. There are so many great books to read this summer. Currently on my nightstand: The Mother-In-Law, The Silent Patient, The First Mistake
Q. What does your writing process look like? Do you listen to music? If so, does it vary based on the book?
A. If I listen to music while writing, lyrics pop into my story. Not kidding. I’m typically writing in a quiet setting, in my office, with my dogs sleeping. That’s my favorite setting.
Q. What do you do when you are not writing?
A. Since my husband won a seat in congress, I have been spending time in Washington, DC, supporting him. My favorite thing to do is be with my family in Laguna Beach, where we live.
Q. Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
A. Ha. How much time do you have? I’ve been writing novels for more than 10 years. I have been small press and self-published, and today I am traditionally published through Graydon House, an imprint of Harlequin/Harper Collins. Throughout my career one thing holds true: I didn’t give up. And it you don’t, and you want to be published, you will be. There are so many different publishing choices today, and that is a great thing.
Q. How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?
A. The best marketing is word of mouth, book clubs and librarians. And, a supportive publisher with wide distribution. I think it’s a mixture of approaches, not one single magic bullet.
Q. What genre, other than your own to you enjoy?
A. I’ve written in domestic suspense, women’s fiction and romance – I enjoy them all. I also enjoy historical fiction and would love to write in that genre someday.
Q. What is something you cannot live without? (excluding computer or phone).
A. My family
Q. Can you tell us about any other upcoming projects?
A. I am working on another domestic suspense!
Q. On your website, you encourage new writers to “persevere”. Can you share more about that?
A. If you give up, your dreams will not come true. The point is: keep writing, keep trying. It will happen.
Q. Where is your favorite place to write?
A. My office
Q. Name two things you consider yourself to be very good at.
A. Hula Hooping. Smiling.
Q. Have you always lived in Southern California? What’s your favorite place/restaurant/library/bar/event in Orange County?
A. Nope but always wanted to live here.
Favorite beach: Laguna Beach Main Beach and Crystal Cove Beach
Library: Newport Beach Library is amazing
Restaurant: Babette’s in Crystal Cove
Q. What would you like to say to your readers and fans?
A. Thank you for reading my books and allowing me to live the career of my dreams.
Q. Can you share with us the best way to reach you and where to learn more about your books?
Want more of the Sunday Sessions interviews? Click here to see which authors are included so far.
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