Interview Kay Sisk
by
Kowanda Stroud
1) Kay, will you tell us something about yourself?
I’m a native Texan, and therefore usually either place my stories in Texas, as Bettina’s Gamble, or have my Texans be “fish out of water”, as in The King Of Paradise, a December 04 Wings release. I tease my sons that they were our second family: we had dogs, then kids, and now cats. My husband and I live in a small town in north Texas and we’ve been married for 33 years.
2) We have a lot in common Kay. What genre is Bettina’s Gamble?
It is a contemporary romance.
3) Tell us a little bit about Bettina’s Gamble and the main characters.
Bettina’s Gamble is the fourth in a series of six begun with Lyla’s Song last spring. Each book centers around a member of the wild rock band Bone Cold--Alive. In Bettina, a drummer, Ron Gregory, has gotten himself in some pretty hot water with a loan shark and he flees for his life. Little does he know that Bettina Montgomery will find him and risk his life by taking one photo of him. Of course, he’s nude in it.
4) How did you choose the subject matter and the locale?
The drummer was next on the list <g> and I’m comfortable writing about Texas. Each of the band members has a vice and his was gambling.
5) Would you like to share any problems you had writing Bettina’s Gamble?
I didn’t really have any problems with it. Not that it wrote itself, you understand.
6) Please describe the cover and your inspiration for it.
Cover artist, Chrissie Poe, has done all the Texoma Series covers, so the format is the same on each. This one reflects Ron’s addiction to cards and dice.
7) I’ve seen Chrissie’s covers before and you’re lucky to have her. She does beautiful work.
Is this your first book?
No It’s my 7th to be published by Wings.
8) You are a very prolific author! If you have other books, please list them and their genre.
They’re all contemporary romances. In 2004, three single titles: One Year Past Perfect, A Suite Deal, and The King Of Paradise. In 2005, Lyla’s Song, Jemma’s Heart, Sara’s Soul, and now Bettina’s Gamble. Next year, the series will complete with Phillipa’s Fiddler and Anya’s Dream.
9) How did you find your publisher?
I had known Wings President, Lorraine Stephens for several years and wanted to work with her again so I submitted.
10) Lorraine has helped so many authors! Are you working on anything now?
Book 6 in the series.
11) How do you plan to promote and sell your book?
I have a website, www.kaysisk.com, and regularly submit my books for review.
12) What advice would you give to any new authors?
Finish the book. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But after over a decade of writing, last year a friend challenged me to write 100 words a day and to be accountable to her for it. I’m a goal-oriented person. The minute I started keeping track of how much I was writing, the faster I was able to write.
13) Have you ever had ‘writer’s block’ and if so how did you overcome it?
For 2 years in the mid-90s, I stopped writing. Nothing came to me, especially ambition. I finally got over it. Now I keep a list of ideas.
Thank you Kay for answering my questions. After reading a synopsis of your current book, I know Bettina’s Gamble will be successful.
Thanks for your well wishes.