Interview Kay LeGrand

by

Jennifer Cloud

1) At what age did you discover that you wanted to be a writer?

I think I’ve always known. My mom says I always knew how to read, and this must be true because I remember being mortified to start Kindergarten and discover the other kids couldn’t. I was writing then. And in first grade when we had a standing assignment to write one sentence on any subject on a sheet of paper every week, I was turning in three and four page stories. Often several of them in a week. Words have always fascinated me, and I finished my first novel when I was 14, spending a summer in the Thousand Islands. That book, with surprisingly little re-writing became Only Yesterday (available from Wings) many, many years later.

2) Do your characters ever take control of a story?

Oh, they certainly do! I had one character who was supposed to die. Then he suddenly declared he was going to be the hero, and that was that. I was shaken so badly that I still haven’t finished that book, and it’s been ten years! Most of them are a little better behaved, though. They tend to suddenly blurt out some amazing thing that usually turns out to be exactly what the story needs.

3) Do you plot your novels or write by the seat of your pants?

My plotting extends to having a rough idea of how many chapters there will be, and two or three words about what happens in the chapter. “They meet”, “He gets shot”, that kind of thing. It’s just too much fun seeing where the story is going to lead to try to plan it all out beforehand.

4) Are there any genres you have always wanted to try but haven't?

I’ve been tempted to write a historical romance. I even started it a couple of times--set in the 1860s in my hometown of Franklin, PA. But I admit it--I’m too lazy to do the research. I’ve also thought about writing some children’s stories, but have never really gone beyond the thinking stage.

5) Who is your favorite author?

Dean R. Koontz! He has such a marvelous way with words, such a way of drawing you into the characters and making you feel the setting. I also admire Phyllis A. Whitney tremendously. I learned most of what I know about writing by reading her books over and over again.

6) Do you write every day?

I try. Lately I’ve had a case of the summertime blues and have been slacking off, but even now I’m writing at least 5 days a week. My goal, what I prefer to write, is 10 pages every day, whether it’s new stuff or re-writing and editing.

7) What inspires you?

Almost anything! An interesting looking woman in the mall, a sad looking old house I see on vacation, the Rocky Mountains, a John Denver song. All of them have inspired books.

8) How long does it take you to complete a novel?

It varies. I once actually did finish a book in a week from cover to cover. But I wouldn’t recommend doing it! I wasn’t working then, and was exhausted when I was done. Usually I can turn out a novel in 4 to 8 weeks if I’m doing my 10 pages every single day.

9) What do you love about your genre?

I think romantic suspense combines the best of two very wonderful types of story. I couldn’t imagine writing a book without romance, and I love having a mystery--something that keeps me turning the pages as I’m writing, as much as I hope it will keep the reader turning the pages later. And since the revival of the old-fashioned gothic, I’ve really enjoyed creating stories like Lightning On The Beach, which I hope will stand up to the best of those old woman-in-peril novels.

10) What do you hate about your genre?

I guess that one’s easy! I hate that it’s so hard to be a best seller in any romance genre. There are just so many books, and the chances are pretty slim I’m ever going to be the next Danielle Steele or Nora Roberts and get to quit my job for good!