Interview Rhonda Kirk

by

Marilyn Gardiner

Tell us briefly about yourself: married, children, work outside the home, hobbies -- whatever you feel free to share.

I'm a Registered Nurse and work full time in critical care. I'm married and have two grown sons. My interests include reading, cooking, gardening, and traveling.

How did you get started writing? Is it something you always wanted to do?

To become a writer wasn't an original goal. When I became a nurse, I found that I needed a way to ease the stress of caring for the sick. I've been an avid reader of romance for years, so I decided to write my own. I found that I loved creating characters and giving them a "happily ever after" ending. It eased the tension of the not so happy endings I see at work.

We all know how the demanding life of being a writer impacts the rest of the family. Is your family supportive of your writing? Who is your strongest supporter? Family member or not?

My children are grown. My husband has numerous hobbies and interests of his own, so he's more than happy to allow time for my writing. Even so, I'd have to say that my son, Matthew, is my greatest supporter. He's studying to become a journalist. He even critiques for me on occasion--though I don't make him read the love scenes.

Do you have a ritual about how and when and where you write, or do you just sandwich it into an already busy schedule, bits and pieces sort of "if and when you can?"

I work twelve hour shifts. That allows me three to four days off each week. Two of those days are "writing" days.

As you mentally prepare for a book, which comes first for you: plot or characters?

The plot. Actually, not even the whole plot, just and idea. The characters follow shortly thereafter.

Where did the inspiration for Yesterday's Child come from, and how long did it take you to write it?

Actually, when I wrote this book, I was aiming for one of those New York Publishers. I tried to invent a plot that would fall into their "category" romance. Somehow, that didn't quite happen. As a result, they wouldn't even take a look. So, I turned to Wings ePress. I'm so thankful to be able to write what I want and not have to worry that my story will "fit" into someone else's mold.

Can you give us a thumbnail sketch of the book and tell us briefly about your favorite scene? How about the most difficult to write?

Claire Daniels returns to her hometown after a long absence to find three men waiting for her. One is impossible, one is irresistible, the other one is invisible. Her dilemma comes when she has to choose between them.

I'd have to say that my favorite scene is when Claire tries to remodel and old, haunted house she's bought and ends up knocking a wall down by mistake.

The scenes I dislike writing the most are intimate love scenes. I know, I know, the readers love them and that's the reason they buy romance novels. I write love scenes because I want the readers to be happy.

Do you read only in the genre in which you write, or are you fairly eclectic in your reading?

Now that I write, I find it hard to just "read" any book. I find I've fallen into the habit of comparing my own writing to the author's and sometimes critiquing. In all honesty, this new habit of mine takes some of the joy out of reading. I do love a good horror or suspense novel though.

What do you think inspires your muse: that little gremlin that sits on your shoulder and prods you to fill a blank screen with words?

My job has always inspired my stories, but lately, the news has had a part as well. I've been working on a thriller and a news cast inspired the idea, while my critical care nursing skills added to the characters and plot.

If you could sit down over coffee with anyone in the world, living or dead, who would it be--and why?

Princess Diana. Like the rest of the world, I adored her.

Do you publish other types of material or do you stick to writing novels?

I write news articles for my hospital paper. Sometimes that involves research and interviews.

Do you have a WIP, and can you tell us a bit about it? Something to wet our appetites?

My work in process is a medical thriller and it involves cloning nurses. Let's just say that the nurses couldn't possibly be called "angels of mercy".