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JaToya L: I'm thrilled you've agreed to do this interview.
Thank You.
Isabo Kelly: Not at all. I'm more than happy to do the
interview. Thank you for asking me.
JaToya L: My pleasure. I'm sure after reading my reviews
ARR's viewers will have no doubt I'm a fan of your work.
Isabo Kelly: :-) That's always nice to hear.
JaToya L: One of my most pressing questions is, how do
you do it? How do you create such fascinating worlds? Then put those creations to paper?
Isabo Kelly: Good question! Wish I knew. Actually, I
think it must come from telling myself stories all my life
and watching too many movies. Putting the creations to
paper is the hard part. Sometimes it's like pulling teeth
to get the image in my head on paper. I spend a lot of
time reading authors I admire to figure out how they do
it.
JaToya L: How many revisions, if any, do you normally go
through before you're finally satisfied with your work?
Isabo Kelly: I have to do quite a few revisions because
I tend to write the first draft quickly. I get caught up in
the story and can't wait to get to the end. Once there, I
realize I've left out a lot of detail, like setting
descriptions and dialogue tags. I suppose I usually go
through three full revisions before I'm satisfied.
JaToya L: I take it you're not one of those writers who
lingers over the details initially. Does it make it easier for you
to go through it and get what is in your head down first then
clean it up?
Isabo Kelly: Most of the time it is easier to clean up the
prose later. There are some scenes I find I have to get
just right before I can move on. I'll linger over those
scenes to get the details right. But for the most part, I
let the story carry me away in the first draft. If I spend
too much time on details in the beginning, I don't always
finish the story.
JaToya L: When you write does everything go in
chronological order?
Or do you finish some sceens out of context and then add
them in when the time is right?
Isabo Kelly: For the most part, I write in chronological
order. Some scenes come to me early and I'll write
them down roughly, but they usually have to be
changed a bit by the time I get to them in the story. I
don't always know where I'm going when I start
writing, so it's more usual for me to have to go back
and add a scene.
JaToya L: That has actually never occured to me that
something large might be missing fromt eh original draft. I've
always thought things would be taken away rather than added.
You learn something new everyday :-)
Changing the flow a bit. Congratulations, again,
on your recent nuptials. What is your writing schedule like?
And has it changed any since getting married?
Isabo Kelly: <g>
I learned that while I was trying to learn
how to plot :-)
JaToya L: Uh oh. Okay Changing the flow back :-D. Did you
learn to plot from another person or are you self taught?
Isabo Kelly: Thanks for the congratulations. I can't say
my writing schedule has changed much because it's
been a bit random for several months now. I'm just
starting to get back into a routine again. I have a great
job that gives me some time to work on editing.
Actually writing is fitted into whatever time I can find for
it.
As for plotting :-), I learned that from other authors--books I
loved, authors who where generous with their
time--and from the movies. I learned a lot about pacing
from movies too. I spent time when I first started
writing asking questions of other authors to figure out
plotting.
JaToya L: If it won't get you into too much trouble, I'd like to
know who your favorite romance author is? And what do you
read besides romance?
Isabo Kelly: Trying to name a favorite author in any
genre is tough! I love so many. My sister has turned
me into a huge Linda Howard fan. And I can't put
down Susan Grant or Julie Kenner. Then there's the
always fun JD Robb (Nora Roberts). Too many to
choose from I'm afraid. As for what else I read--I
adore fantasy and science fiction but have been reading
more suspense and mystery lately. I'm in the middle of
a Robin Hobb fantasy trilogy right now (The Liveship
Traders trilogy). I'll probably have to read something
light and comic next. I love reading comedy. Wish I
could write it :-)
JaToya L: I know the feeling. Don't you hate it when you
think something is humorous. But when you reread it it just
sounds weird?
Isabo Kelly: Oh yes! I think my mom is the only other
person with the same sense of humor as myself.
JaToya L: Then you're lucky. My mom just shakes her head
when I crack a joke. :-)
Who do you read in the fantasy Genre besides Hobb? Have you ever read James Clemens?
Isabo Kelly: In the fantasy genre, I adore Anne
McCaffery and am an old Mercedes Lacky fan from
years ago. Terry Pratchett has become a bit favorite in
recent years for the comedy--I love DEATH.
No I haven't read James Clemens. Good
sense of humor?
JaToya L: He's a fantasy novelist. And he's wonderful. You
should really pick up some of his books. If they don't blow you
away you can blame me :-)
Isabo Kelly: :-) I'll be on the look out. Acutally, I'm
pretty sure I've seen his stuff, just haven't read it yet.
JaToya L: His series has a touch of romance but a great deal
of magic and adventure. He's one of my must buys. A position
you and your books are quickly moving into.
After reading the excerpt from Desitny's
Seduction I'm having the hardest time not urging you to write
faster!!
Isabo Kelly: Wow, thanks for the compliment of my
writing. Now I know I have to read his books :-) I
love adventure.
You'll be happy to know Destiny is
finished, I'm just editing now.
And thank you again :-)
JaToya L: Destiny's Seduction is the story of Arlana, the
daughter of Tiya and Kevin who we first meet in Theif's Desire.
You wrote Tiya and Kevin's story before
even Theif's DesireD? Can we expect it to come out soon? Have the edits
been made?
Isabo Kelly: The edits are still in progress for Tiya and
Kevin's story. That was the first novel I ever wrote and
it needs some work. I'm probably going to have to turn
to a critic partner or just turn it over to my editor for
help because even after all these years it's still so near
to me that I have trouble seeing where scenes need to
be changed or cut.
JaToya L: Do you know how many books are going to be in
this sereis? Are there plans for another book after Destiny's Seduction?
And can I volunteer for the job of critic? :-)
Isabo Kelly: I have two other stories in mind actually.
One set when Arlana is about five years old. I'm not
sure of the time line for the other book as it's still just a
rough idea. Neither book is directly part of The Fate's
Hand Trilogy, but involves characters from the series.
And if you really want to put yourself
through reading my rough work, I may take you up on
that offer of a critique :-)
JaToya L: Awesome!! I'd be delighted.
JaToya L: So are we ever going to hear from Vic Flash again?
She has to be one of my all time favorite charcters.
Isabo Kelly: I'm so glad you liked Vic. She's one of
my all time favorites too. She's one of those characters
that come to me almost entirely intact--I didn't have to
work hard to figure her out, she just appeared on the
page. And I knew she'd be perfect for Jacob the
minute I met her. Both of the two off-shoots I have in
mind would have Vic Flash making an appearance.
JaToya L: Wonderful. It would be a shame for her to just
fade away. There is a mention of her in DS but so far nothing
else. It made me wonder.
Isabo Kelly: Yeah, I'm afraid Vic doesn't make an
on-screen appearance in DS, but she'll be back. I can't
let her fade away either.
JaToya L: You mentioned during our emails that you just
started a new job. That was I think 2 months ago? Is it in the
scientific field?
Isabo Kelly: The new job is as far from science as I
could possibly get. I'm working as a part-time front
desk receptionist. It's great because when I'm not
busy, I can edit. I needed a short break from science
and this gives me time to concentrate of my writing.
JaToya L: Strangely enough I've always wanted to work in
an office. Or a library or anything thathas to do with filing or
answering the phone.
Isabo Kelly: :-) It's quite a nice job actually--not too
hard on the brain and I get to chat to lots of people. I'll
end up back in science one day I'm sure. But it's nice
to do something different.
JaToya L: Will you miss working with animals?
Isabo Kelly: I would if I hadn't just got a dog :-) I
can't seem to keep animals out of my life. I'll still do
some volunteer work too in science to keep my hand
in.
JaToya L: OKay I have to ask...
Did you swim with the Sharks?
Isabo Kelly: LOL No, they were too little. I almost
got my finger bit on local t.v.--the weather man came to
the museum a lot to do public interst stuff. I had to do
an little talk with him and feed the sharks. He
distracted me, leaning down to pull out a prank bloody
finger and I forgot I was holding a squid out over the
tank. My lovely nurse shark--only about three feet long
at the time--came out of the water to get the squid and
I dropped it just before she got my finger. That was
fun.
JaToya L: LOL
Oh yeah I'll bet :-)
Tons of fun
Did you hit him? The reporter I mean
Isabo Kelly: The best part was that my mom was
watching this on t.v. She said she was shouting at the
t.v. as if I'd hear her <g>
I didn't hit him, but his joke pretty much
lost it's punch
JaToya L: I'd say.
I hope he was banned from that point on? Or at
the very least sent you flowers
Isabo Kelly: No such niceties, I'm afraid. I didn't do
another spot with him, though. Hmmm... Think it had
to do with me ruining his joke? :-)
JaToya L: Nice.
JaToya L: I've been readingyour bio. Which is how I knew
about the sharks. But you've had a chance to do a bit of
traveling?
Has that influenced your stories? I['ve noticed
they always seem to have the characters in them traveling
somewhere
Isabo Kelly: A bit. Really just in Europe. And yes I'd
say my travel bug has influenced my writing. The travel
itself has helped me with scene settings and cultures.
The need to travel seems to work its way into my
stories wether I like it or not :-) The sequel to
Kierna'Rhoan shouldn't have too much travel
involved--she said before she finished the book :-)
JaToya L: LOL
JaToya L: That was acxtually one of my questions would
there be a sequel. :-)
Please tell me it involves Raf.
Isabo Kelly: <g> Raf will be in the third book. I've
got him a great heroine. In fact, she makes an
appearance in the second book, though I wouldn't want
to give too much away. The second book is about a
cousin of Kira's and a paleontologist working on
Narava who discovers something unexpected.
JaToya L: Really? Is it the cousin who inherited the house?
Isabo Kelly: No. This is a cousin who's family has
been estranged from Kira's for generations--since
Nathaniel Farseaker's time. Kira's father and Nathan's
father mended the gap between the two families, but
Kira and Nathan didn't know each other well. Nate
does hold the secret to Kierna'Rhoan though--that
might be a bit of a spoiler, though not a big one :-) (To clarify, Nathaniel Farseaker is the name of Kira's ancestor. Nathan/Nate is her cousin)
JaToya L: Really?! Cool. Okay now that was just unfair!
Now I want to read that book and it too, is not
written yet. LOL
Isabo Kelly: LOL! I'm working on it. I swear!
JaToya L: What is your life like now? How does it feel to be
published an know that there are people eagerly awaiting your
next book.
Isabo Kelly: It feels fantastic when I remember--I
sometimes forget I've actually managed to publish
something. Knowing that people actually like my
stories and are looking forward to more is a real rush.
It makes me want to be a better writer--and faster.
JaToya L: Is your goal to become a full time writer. To be
able to live off the income you make from writing or are you
content to keep it as something you do in addition to working
a full time job?
Isabo Kelly: My goal is to be a full time writer. I had
the chance to live that way briefly, during a short period
when I didn't need to have a job, and I loved it. It's
one of the few jobs I've never gotten bored with. I'd
love to be able to make enough at writing so I could
write full time--and faster :-)
JaToya L: Are you submitting your work to mainstream
publishers?
The big guns like Time Warner, Kensington,
Ballantine, etc?
Isabo Kelly: Yes. Though I suspect I'll need to break
into mainstream with something a little more
commercial. Then I can go push the envelope with all
this mixed genre writing.
JaToya L: Do you have a story in mind for your
breakthrough piece?
There are some publishers that are actively
seeking the cross genre stuff. Sci fi, paranormals, etc.
Isabo Kelly: I thought I did--then it took a paranormal
twist. I can't seem to stay away from paranormal. This
one might be light enough paranormal that it would
break into the mainstream though so we'll see. Those
publisher seeking the cross-genre are the ones I'm
targeting right now. But print is a very slow process.
JaToya L: What does your husband think of your writing?
Does he read your stuff?
Isabo Kelly: My husband thinks it's great that I write
and really encourages me. He would probably read
more of my writing if I let him :-) He does make sure
to buy all my books (multiple copies) when they're
released. And he's a great promoter.
JaToya L: Really? Is that what he does?
Isabo Kelly: He manages to sell a few copies for me
each time a new book comes out by flogging them to
the girls he works with :-)
JaToya L: LOL. Cool
It has to be incredible to have someone that
supportive behind you.
How did you two meet?
Isabo Kelly: We met when I moved into the house he
was already living in. I didn't meet him for a few weeks
after I moved in, but when I did, I decided he was
pretty cute. There were seven of us living in that
house--three women and four men. It was a great
place. Most of the housemates we lived with the
longest came to our wedding.
JaToya L: How long have you known him?
Isabo Kelly: Four and a half years now. We got
engaged about a month after our four year anniversary.
He was being very good and waiting for me to finish my
thesis before asking.
JaToya L: Four and a half years. That is a long time. Did you know from the beginning that he was the
one for you?
Isabo Kelly: Yeah I thought so too! Before that, my
longest relationship was two months. :-) I didn't
know he would be the one but everyone else in my life
seemed to know:-\ Probably because he was still in
my life after two months. I didn't want to be in love or
in a relationship at the time, but sometimes these things
just happen. I obviously don't regret any of it.
JaToya L: Well I should hope not! :-)
JaToya L: One thing about your books, the romance is
undeniably there but it's not a love at first site, mushy kind of
love.
Do you do this on purpose? Or does it just naturally develope like that?
Do you believe in love at first site?
Isabo Kelly: I think it just naturally developes like that.
I believe in love at first site--it happened to my mom.
But to tell the truth, I find it doesn't always come off as
believable in a story. I really admire writers that can
pull it off. I suspect one day I'll give it a go, but for
now, I'm more comfortable writing characters that have
an initial attraction which developes into love.
JaToya L: There are a few controversies in the world of
romance novels. One is something that has caught my interest
and you as primarily an ebook author (for now) might be able
to offer a bit of objectivity...
Isabo Kelly: I'll try for objectivity. :-)
JaToya L: Amazon has recently been called out for posting
used copies of books on their site on the same page as the
new books. They actually post used copies on the same day
the books are released. Do you have an opinion on that that
you'd care to share?
Isabo Kelly: From an author's point of view I think it's
pretty shabby business on Amazon's part. I can see
why that might do it--they're main objective is to make
money--but I dont' think it's a good idea for either their
business or their reputation. This may just be because
I'm an author and I know how these things work. I
know there are readers out there that don't know how
a writer gets paid or gets contracts to write more. They
just want a book and if they can get it cheap well then
all the better. As writers, we should try to educate our
loyal readers to the damage this type of buying can
cause, not to our pocket books, but to our future ability
to sell books. If sales are not high enough, writers can
find it difficult to get another contract. By buying the
used versions so soon after the release of a book, a
loyal reader might find her favorite author can't get
published any more. I think the issue affects mid-list
authors the most, but I'd love to hear what the likes of Nora Roberts and John
Grisham would have to say on the matter.
JaToya L: So would I.
JaToya L: Is there anything you'd like to say to our viewers
as well as your fans? News you'd like to impart? Political opinions you'd
like to share? Baby pictures you'd like to mention? :-)
Isabo Kelly: We'll stay away from baby pictures and
political opinions for the moment :-) I'm hoping to
have some wedding pictures up at my site sometime in
the near future for those interested in what my hubby
looks like, but that's the extent of the incriminating
pictures. I can't think of anything else to add. You've
done a great job of covering everything :-) I will try
to keep an update on my website regarding the release
of Destiny and the progress of Tiya and Kevin's story.
I'm hoping to have an excerpt from the sequel to
Kierna'Rhoan ready in a few weeks as well.
Thanks so much for the lovely chat,
JaToya. I had a great time.
JaToya L: So did I and I hope we can do it again.
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